Preventing Dell Optiplex GX280 from Overheating

Probably you have already had a problem with this desktop, as I had some time ago. The main reason, why this motherboard burns out is that most of microelectronic components of this motherboard heats greatly. For example, it is not possible to even touch a heat sink on the north bridge because it is too hot. Though, there is a way to cool it. A small cooler, thermal resistive glue (or thermal paste if this is a horizontal desktop) and some metal pieces, British coins, for example, are used for this purpose. It is also possible to use thermal paste instead of thermal resistive glue. If the computer is a horizontal desktop, then you can use the paste. I have used the thermal paste.

Firstly, we attach the small cooler to the heat sink on the north bridge.

Next, we connect the cooler to the power source. I have connected it in a different way to slow it down a little. The red wire of the cooler is connected to the yellow wire and the black wire of the cooler is connected to the red wire of the power source.

The north bridge will be cooled down.

Following step is to attach a suitable coin to the south bridge. A coin is chosen because of its suitable size and wide availability. The coin has to be cleaned and attached to the chip.

A network chip is located in the corner, as it is shown in the picture below.

Take a suitable coin, apply a little thermal paste or thermal resistive glue and stick it to the chip. It has to be done to third chip as well, because this chip also heats. A motherboard, which was cooled down in this manner, will work longer and better.