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Suggestions?
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Posted by: Chako
I have come to the realization that the new tower case is craptastic for cooling purposes as Nova stated.
I am thinking of maybe doing some changes to it to improve its cooling characteristics such as making the holes larger on the front intake fan etc...to allow more air in and out.
Now, I need suggestions from people who are into this sort of stuff. I do not overclock my hardware, but right now, I have lots of hot stuff warming my box, and I need ways to reduce the ambient temperature.
Ok this is what I have right now:
Thunderbird 1.2 with stock AMD heatsink/fan. 2 CD ROM drives, 1 Fujitsu 40 Gig 5400 RPM, 2 Fujitsu 40Gig 7200 RPMs in Raid 0, Geforce 3 video card. Those are the main heat producers.
Using a Topower 370 W power supply with 2 fans exhausting out....does not seem to push much air though...probably due to the lack of air getting into the case. Now that I am on my vacation, I will look into this closely.
My case is an Aopen HX08 full tower case with 2 rear exhausting 8 cm fans above the power supply, 1 8 cm low front fan blowing in. 1 card system fan cooler (2 8 cm fans blowing onto expansion cards inside case).
Why am I concerned? Well since the addition of the Raid array, my ambient temperature as increased to a level I don't like. Seeing that is is winter, and knowing full well how hot my room can get in the summer, I have cause for concern.
Using Asus PC Probe, here is what I get right now at idle (net usage):
CPU temperature: 51 C/ 123 F
MB temperature: 31 C/ 87 F
Now I know after playing some 3D gaming, it can go as high as 56C. Room temperature is 25.2 C.
I am buying a Thermaltake volcanoe 7 to replace my AMD stock heasink/fan.
I am also toying with somehow hooking up a squirrel cage blower used in duct work. Not sure the CFM but it is HIGH. Thinking about using duct work with it. This is just an idea however because I am not into moding at all. I just know that if my CPU is 51 C right now, in summer it will go up 20 degrees or so...a problem.
As of yet, I don't know my case temperature...have to find my digital thermometer, but it may be lost for good...sigh.
Any suggestions...would be appreciated. Right now, I am just gathering ideas.
Posted by: Spork Lover
The Volcanoe 7 is a great start, I have seen one up close and they are monstrous, and their fans are monstrous.... and they just look cool.
Man your CPU gets pretty durn warm. Here is what I did for my case. It wasnt a cooling case at all, I made it into one.
I did the big HSF fan thing. I also drilled holes in the front of the case, and I put a 120mm case cooling fan. If you look at my first workstation pic in the workstation thread you will see my holes.
Next I got an Enermax PS, and it has one fan that sucks air from the case into the PSU, and then it blows this warm air through the PSU, to its rear exhaust fan.
Then I have two Vantec Slot Exhaust fans. I have one more case fan, but since its been relatively cool, I have since taken it out, to help cut down on noise pollution.
My next step to help air flow is to pick up some rounded ribbon cables. I have 4 of the falt variety in my case and I know it is just killing the flowage.
Have you tried putting a fan on the side of the case, over the CPU?
Posted by: Spork Lover
heh... my HSF is on that page, its the Thermo Engine Supercharged... I didnt get it through them, but I do have that Delta fan....kind of loud
Since we are on the topic.... what is a great Case for cooling? I have been tossing around the idea of getting one... but not sure if I want to. It would have to be at least a mid tower, but preferably a Full tower. I have been looking into the koolance cases...but have been kind of reluctant to spend that much on a full water cooled tower...
the place i have primarily been lookin is www.atxcases.com
Posted by: Daedleus
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(2 8 cm fans blowing onto expansion cards inside case).
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Are those two fans bringing any air in or just recirculating internal ambient air? I know you said you didn't want to mod your case, but you could dremel a hole on the side panel to get some extra airflow moving along your expansion cards if there isn't sufficient air coming in from the front intake.
Another suggestion would be moving your HDDs up to the 5.25" bay areas (utilizing HDD spacers) and outfitting them with HDD HSF systems. The kind that will take up a front panel with a two-fan assembly bringing air in from the front and across the fins of the HDD heatsink. Two of those (one for each of the 7200RPM drives) along with the pre-existing intake fan might be enough to get a good amount of incoming air.
If your exhaust port grills are part of the metal of your case, they could be obstructing airflow, since they're usually just a section of small to medium sized holes in the backplate. Dremel them out and replace them with chrome-plated fan grills, which are less restrictive.
Good rule of thumb: minimize turbulance to maximize airflow and reduce noise level.
Best of luck. 
Posted by: Daedleus
Spork, look up the Lite-On FS020, which is the case I have. Outfitted for air-cooled, but big enough to work with liquid cooling systems as well. Note: this case is big and heavy. Solid though.
Mine is setup with seven fans total, and I get an average 95 F CPU temp and 75 F average system temp (at idle). It's got mounts for three 120mm fans (one intake, two exhaust). I currently only use two 120mm fans, one for intake and the other for exhaust. I'm also using a Thermosonic Thermoengine HSF with a 7000RPM Delta fan. The rest of my fans are spread out among the motherboard chipset, my vidcard, and my PSU (which has two, a bottom intake above the CPU and the standard exhaust).
I've had mine for over a year and have no complaints.
Posted by: Chako
I may have to Dremel out those metal grills to allow more air flow. I also plan to drill more holes in the front of the case and open up the front fan for improved air flow.
As for the HDs, they are spaced out. I have 13 drive bays in this case, so I could do that easily. I do not have any active cooling on them though.
As for the expansion card cooler, no, it is just re-circulating the inside air. I guess I could drill some holes in the side panel. I am going to do the above first to see if I need to do that.
As for the blower I mentioned earlier, I just included 2 pictures called blower1 and blower2 (Yes, I know I lack originality  ).
Pictures here
The RPM on this thing is 1550, but it pushes air like you would not believe. This is the last straw if nothing else works. Thinking of placing a filter over the fan, and running some sort of ductwork to the case. I know that if I did this, I would have to make even more holes for the air to escape...last resort. The blower stands about a foot tall not counting the wooden stand, and the exit hole is about 4 inches in diameter.
Posted by: Daedleus
Here's some links for HDD cooling systems. I don't care much for the piggyback style coolers. I'd much rather use those that bring air in from the front of the bay.
http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/pr...-cool/index.htm
http://www.plycon.com/hdcoolers.htm
Posted by: Kdr Kane
I have a tower case with 4 quiet (slow) fans and it stays at room temperature.
I think you are on the right track, Chako.
Before I installed anything in my case, I used a drill to expand every hole in the fan grills to maximum size and still have some structure in the back of the case.
In the front, I took off the front plastic cover and cut the sheet metal out where the fan grill used to be. The I put four 1 1/4" holes in the plastic front cover.
I probably enlarged about 100 holes in the metal.
Don't drill or cut on your case unless you remove everything electronic. Then once your done, you have to make sure there isn't a single metal sliver in the case.
It was a lot of work, but I intended for this case to last longer than the electronics. I don't have much of a dust problem, so I don't have any filters or screens on the case. I use an air filter in the room to keep the dust down.
Posted by: Daedleus
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Don't drill or cut on your case unless you remove everything electronic. Then once your done, you have to make sure there isn't a single metal sliver in the case.
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Yeah, dremels make a mess. If you have a shop vac you should be set for cleanup duty.
Posted by: Spork Lover
Lol... you dont need that blower... just get a fan that produces lift like mine.... look at the fan speed in the screen capture.
Looks like Im going to need to bust out that extra fan... you run a few too many apps at once and the sucker starts to sweat....
Posted by: Spork Lover
Ok how about this antec full tower?
http://www.ocsystem.com/ansxchiefda0.html
Posted by: Chako
Looks like a nice case Spork
Well got up this morning and decided I needed to try something. I ran my computer for an hour and got a 51 C temp from the CPU. Let it cool down for an hour, then took the sides off and let the cool air from the room in. I then watched my temperature rise from 43 C to 51 C. Right back to the temperature that I got with the case sides on.
Huh? Does this mean I don't have to punch holes in my case to let fresh air in? Does this means (probably likely) that the standard AMD heatsink/fan that came with my retail boxed CPU is stressed.
Well now I know why the Topower power supply doesn't push much air, or make much noise (my case ambient temp is probably low), since it has a rheostat and is a silent model. My older ones pushed a lot of air even when it didn't need it I guess.
Also looking a little askance at Asus Probe in regard to temperature readings.
Can't find my digital thermometer...looks like I will need to buy another...sigh.
Posted by: Spork Lover
Get one of those Digital Docs.... or the cheaper ones that are just strictly for temp probes, and not fan control. Right now Im really swaying towards that case + the second CPU for the dual PIII setup. The thing that attracts me to the case the most is the cover, I can hide all of my mismatching colored drives behind it 
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Those temperatures are hardly worth getting concerned over if they are accurate. Even if it goes up 20 degrees.
Posted by: redwench
um, silly question. have you considered making yourself and your comp more comfortable in summer with a window ac unit?
Posted by: Chako
Ion, I do need to get this down. My smaller case was about 9 degrees cooler then this one. Last summer, I was forced to turn off the computer on very hot days. Room temperature on a hot sunny day can be in excess of 80 C because I am in a loft. I would rather have the temperature 10 degrees lower if I can.
Red, I do have a giant air conditioner waiting to be installed, but I think it might do better downstairs in the living area.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Quote:
Originally posted by Chako
Room temperature on a hot sunny day can be in excess of 80 C because I am in a loft.
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My God! That's 176F degrees!
Anyway, since you're running so many hard drives, I would get a bigger case, or add another case fan if you have a place on your case for one. Almost all of them have a place to add an exaust fan which only costs around 5$.
If you're looking for a new case, there's one I remember seeing at colorcases that has an exaust fan at the top of the case. That's probably the best way to remove heat quickly.
Posted by: Outlaw
Quote:
Originally posted by Chako
Room temperature on a hot sunny day can be in excess of 80 C because I am in a loft.
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I think you'd be dead in about half an hour at that temperature.
Posted by: redwench
indeed. and chako, if you and the comp are going to be up there, at least put in a small cheap ac unit. youre gainfully employed now, and they dont cost that much.
Posted by: Chako
Dead in half an hour? I think not...seeing that I am still around.
Besides, I had 4 fans running with the windows open during that heat wave last summer.
Got so bad, I bought an 8000 BTU air conditioner but it hasn't been installed yet..still waiting in my bedroom.
I did mention this earlier though..so Red, I already have one...just not installed yet. Thinking of getting a smaller one though as 8000 BTU is awfully big and draws a lot of power.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Quote:
Originally posted by Chako
Dead in half an hour? I think not...seeing that I am still around.
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80C is 176F. Which is just around 30 degrees below the boiling point of water. The hottest day I remember where I live was 104F. And people die from that kind of heat.
Posted by: Null Actor
Maybe you mean 50 Chako. I don't think a human can live in an area hotter than 60C.
You said 80C... you'd be able to cook food on anything metal in your room.
Posted by: Chako
What am I doing? Argh...I should pay more attention to what I say and to what others say.
I was getting my C and F temperatures mixed up, and not paying attention to what I am doing.
Yes, I was talking Fahrenheit. Celsius is way too warm. I keep forgetting my thermometer is in F (got it in the States) and not in C which I am more used to. Tries to hide under a rock or something. 
Sometimes I am such an idiot! Sigh.
Posted by: Null Actor
I thought it got to high 30s around here in the summer? That'd be almost 100F wouldn't it? heh
80F isn't all that hot...
Posted by: Spork Lover
When he was talking temp talk i thought he was saying the CPU was getting that warm... and if it got as hot as 80c.... and he is still running it, he is one lucky guy
Last summer was pretty friggin hot. Just run an open case
Posted by: redwench
chako, i have an 11.5k btu window ac unit. trust me, 8k isnt too big if its the only one you have. mine keeps the house bearable, but certainly not cool. and i think youll find that 8k is fine for 80F, but when you get up to 100, it will be inadequate, assuming you have reasonable sq. footage. mine is only rated for about 1000 sq ft, although i use it for the whole house. if you only have one unit, 8k is on the small side, not the high side.
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