Cooling my new PC...

I'm not really a hardware guide, but I'm aspiring to be one, heh. For the first time, just in the past week, I built my first computer. I've helped friends put theirs together, and torn apart "store made" ones, so it wasn't really new to me.

What is a new experience though, is making sure my computer runs cool enough. I've never dealt with that worry before (even though I maybe should have).

The computer I chose, was a barebones kit on Tigerdirect, and I'll be honest, the parts aren't really all that great. I mean, the CPU is fine, but the heat sink is horrible, and I don't even know what to think of the MOBO.

(this post as of now, has nothing to do with the forum topic)

Basically, I want to know what I should do to keep my computer a low temp. I've seen things on tigerdirect / newegg like.. this , and this .. but I don't really know if they're necessary heh.

Here is a picture of the case that it came with (well multiple pictures), and I believe that vent in the back is for a 120mm fan? So I figured it'd be wise to get one of those as well..

Here's the kit in general that I got.

I'm just looking for some cooling advice, and whatnot. Thanks in advance.

 

Well I have case fans and a good cpu cooler and I have a pretty cool system.
My processor (3200+) runs at 25c(ish) idle and I use a Zalman cooler with 120mm fan. I have 5 80mm case fans, and all seems fine and cool to me

 

Go to the thread "another one from this chick" in the case and mods section. I a long with others have posted a crucial element in building a computer that is often overlooked and that is managing your wiring. it takes alot of time and patience and sometimes planning, looking for every nook and cranny but it is well worth it and will keep the engines running cool. Sometimes you have to do what I did and do a little cutting which you can see on the thread I mentioned. take your time and dont neglect the wiring aspect of it.