Need some advice: How to Cool This Beast

Make windows, cool designs, heck just plain abuse that baby! Share case modding tips and ideas
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GuardianAsher
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Need some advice: How to Cool This Beast

Post by GuardianAsher »

I have an Antec Super Lanboy case with a plexi side. Now, I love this case with a passion, but it has one flaw. The front (intake) fan is a slow 120MM fan. Behind it is a metal plate with holes cut in it, which is all well and good, but then the HDD rack is right behind that.

Pictures:

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Because of these two things, it doesn't get very adequate air intake.

Here's my problem. I usually keep plexi side panel off of the case, so I can make adjustments and such as needed. I decided to put the case side back on, but just for the heck of it, I went into the motherboard PC Health Status to watch the temperature. I let the computer idle for about 10 minutes, until the temperature remained at a constant, before putting the side on. Within a minute, the system temperature rose 10C, and the processor temperature rose 7C. I pulled the case side back off, and the temperature lowered again.

The fans in my case are set up as follows:

The CPU fan: TMD (Tip-Magnetic Driving) 74MM, 5600RPM, 35.5CFM
2 fans in the PSU, intake from inside case, outtake from rear: Pushes a lot of air
2 120MM fans, one in front and one in back, low speed, maybe 20CFM at best
1 90MM fan over HD, suspended by zip-ties

Don't get me wrong, with this setup, my temps are decent: with the case side off. At idle, I'm running 38C system temp, 40C proc temp. But with the case side on, I've seen it jump to 50C case temp and 55C proc temp, at idle.

Here are my plans right now. I plan to replace both the front and rear case fans with some high-speed ones, but considering the fact of the blockage of the air intake, I also plan to add an intake fan to the plexi-glass side, another 120MM high-speed.

Will this help? Also, I'd like some suggestions for better results, if possible

Edit: I'd also like to put in a PCI slot cooler, but I want to try and have it as an intake fan, blowing up at my video card. Would this be a good idea?
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nexus_7
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Post by nexus_7 »

my antec has almost the same front. I zip tied a second 120mm fan to the back/inside side of the HD area. that way it pulled in and moved alot more air....and my system is rather cool.

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Qui Gon-Jinn
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Post by Qui Gon-Jinn »

GO TO TECH 2 U.. get 2 NEW 120's.. WE HAVE THEM.. I think.. LOL.. but yeah.. trust me there..
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Pugsley
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Post by Pugsley »

Remove all that blockage... the holes alos cause noise... if you remove or just cut out the holed part that will let ALOT more air get in and out. Hell if your CPU fan has finger gaurds on it remove them. I run my stuff with no gaurds what so ever for minium noise and maximum air flow. I run all low RPM fans so the loudest thing in my computer is the HD. and its supposed to be a QUIET HD.
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GuardianAsher
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Post by GuardianAsher »

I really don't care about the noise. It really doesn't bother me. But I'll cut out that mesh and see what kind of results I get. I really don't want to cut the plexi.
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Qui Gon-Jinn
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Post by Qui Gon-Jinn »

cut the mesh.. but BE CAREFULL.. I have that case.. and there are 4 holes in the corners you NEED.. so don't cut those..

If you can. and want.. bring it to the store. I have a dremel and can help.. or we can do it at the Lan Sat
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Just because I am an a$$hole.. doesn't mean I don't care..

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