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I got a free desktop computer... but it has overheating issues and the current cpu is dead. So far everything else tests out ok so I'm ordering a new pentium 4 3.0ghz processor but need to cool it better. There's no more space in the computer for fans, unless I pull a harddrive, except for directly on the cpu. It has a large heatsink with 2 fans next to it and a plastic piece directing air from the fans over the cpu but no fan right on the cpu. Any not too expensive fans I can just stick to an existent heat sink with something like thermal paste or do I have to spend the money to get preattached heatsink and fan to put on the cpu instead? I've never had to pick out cpu and cooling system seperately since I always got combos that already included a properly sized heatsink with fan.

I would actually suggest picking up a Aftermarket cooler. I personally suggest the Zalman Line of coolers. i have a 939 Socket and im running at 27 Degrees on my Cpu. I looked up their website and they do fit P4's but im not sure what your socket is. Find out what the socket on the CPU is and then go to http://www.zalmanusa.com/. You can find a really good cooler for no more that $60 on like new egg or any other decent website.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

I agree, an aftermarket cooler would probably suit you best, but it seems you're running either an SFF or BTX case. These cases, due to their small nature and the way components are packed in, are notorious for heating issues. What case and motherboard do you have? You might be hard pressed to find an aftermarket cooler that's worth it to fit in there and not give you issues.

While you've got the case open, pick up some canned air and blast out any dust/grime that's accumulated, paying special attention to heatsinks and power capacitors. Make sure all fans spin freely and in the right direction. Obviously make sure you have at least one fan in the front of the case pulling air in, and another in the back pulling air out. Try and neatly tuck cables away along case rails, behind the motherboard etc to allow for freer air flow etc etc etc. Any cooler, aftermarket or otherwise can only cool effectively if it's got a nice stream of cooler air coming in. You can put the best cooler in the world in there, but if it's surrounded by hot air, it won't do a damn thing.

But I don't have $60 left to spend on it. I have maybe $20-$30 so if it requires a new $60+ heatsink it's gonna be a few months. It ran for years with the current heatsink but was never cleaned and was enclosed on 3sides so maybe it will be fine. If I can easily add something else though it would probably be a good idea. I got the new processor in with the current heatsink on it and it runs but the fans are extremely loud. I don't know if they just are or if they need replaced. They run and the air coming out the back is still cool but I have to turn the tv up by several bars to hear over it. I haven't run it for more than 10mins straight yet.

I took it apart weeks ago when I got it, cleaned it all, wrote down model numbers, and then lost the paper with the model numbers. All I remember is the motherboard is planar but I'd have to pull things back out to find the number again. Socket is 478. I tested a borrowed P4 3.2ghz cpu in it before ordering the 3.0ghz one.

Good that you cleaned it out, goes miles in helping cool computers. If noise is an issue, either the fans need to be cleaned/replaced ( if there seems to be a grinding, vibrating noise ) or maybe you can just get a fan controller so you can manually adjust fan speeds to suit your needs. I put a fan controller in Robyn's computer so we can turn it up if it's hot or we're running something intense, and turn it down whilst sleeping.

This Zalman unit is highly regarded as an efficient cooler, and it also comes bundled with it's own fan control knob so you can adjust the noise level. If the motherboard is farily new, it might have fan controller software (i doubt it if it was free) for the case fans. If not, a cheapie controller from the local computer shop can be had for around 10 bucks. Gaming? Turn it up. Going to bed? Turn it down. Pretty slick.

Is it a standard case, or one that lies flat?

It's a large upright case. A dell originally but modified and parts replaced numerous times. The case is about 17-18" long and tall and 9" wide but it contains 3 full cd drive slots, 4 HD slots, and 2 huge fans taking up the full width and at least half the height of the back with 1 slightly smaller one wedged under the drives in front. Darn thing is louder than my truck. I wonder how it ever managed to overheat.....

Hahah, well, you should have space for the zalman cooler, and you can still put in the fan controller, but you will probably have to mount it on top of the case, as dEll's are proprietary cases and isn't likely to have an open 3.5" bay in the front. Dust, and probably a poor placement of the case most likely limited airflow.