Better cpu cooler vs. better case

[myrmidon]

So I'm currently using a Rosewill case with 2 120mm fans I recently upgraded to Scythe fans blowing front to back.

My CPU cooler is an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 Rev.2.

Currently, at stock clocks on my Core i5-2500k I'm sitting at ~29-30C mobo temp all the time (always the same, even under full load), and roughly ~31C idle and ~55C load with my CPU.

If I push up the clocks at all on my processor the idle only goes up 1-2C, but the load temperature goes through the roof. At 4ghz it shoots to almost 70C.

I'm curious if this is due to the airflow of my case, or the CPU cooler...

The air that comes out the rear 120mm fan is actually always cooler then the air in my room, especially with the new fans. However, the air that comes out of my power supply is pretty hot.

Due to the motherboard/cooler combo I had to mount the fan on the cooler facing up towards the PSU. Would hacking in a fan to suck hot air out the top potentially fix some of my CPU cooling woes?

 

[perdomot]

Definitely the cooler as most Intels get really hot around 4Ghz. A good Noctua will help with those temps.

 

[Soundmanred]

Definitely the cooler as most Intels get really hot around 4Ghz. A good Noctua will help with those temps.

My CPU cooler is an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 Rev.2.

Not stock.
I use the Rev. 1 of the A.C.F. Pro and it keeps me at around 60 degrees max under 100% load.

 

[perdomot]

Not stock.
I use the Rev. 1 of the A.C.F. Pro and it keeps me at around 60 degrees max under 100% load.

I've got the CM212+ and when I encode video using 100%, my temps are in the 60s as well. The AC is a budget cooler so if he wants lower temps, he'll have to bump it up to a more expensive cooler like a Noctua.

 

[perdomot]

Here is a perfect comparison of performance:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535-14.html

 

[SmCaudata]

I'm looking at a new HSF myself. The Zero therm zt10d is the best I've seen from a size, volume, and coiling standpoint.

 

[geofelt]

Take the case side panel off and direct a house fan at the innards. If you get much better results, then improving case cooling would be in order.

What type of graphics card cooler do you have?

If it is not a direct exhaust type, the hot vga air is compounding your problem.