Qbert

Just wanted to start a thread for posting pics of all the cheapo/ghetto/MacGyver mods you have done to your rig(s) over the years that actually worked to reduce temps, increase airflow, etc. Please describe the items needed and estimated cost for said items if possible. I’ll get us started off….

But first off and for good juju, a pic of Richard Dean Anderson with mini pliers for encouragement (with nice 80s hair):



Ok, now on to the good stuff:

Instead of buying a 5.25” Scythe Kama Bay or other, why not do it yourself for $.30 + fan of choice? Materials needed:

- 2 to 4 twisty ties
- left over foam packaging


..my original mesh covers still fit no probs!

Results: -4C in case temps at load after addition of an S-Flex F fan (approx -2C to CPU)

Instead of buying an aftermarket GPU cooler, just dremel a hole in your side panel, add a fan and cut up a Dixie cup to fit over your GPU fan (Dixie cup est. @ $.02). Materials needed:

-10 to 16oz Dixie cup (depending on GPU fan size):
- electrical tape
- screen door mesh for fan and rear slots





Results: - 9C on my 8800 GTS 640 (went from 73C to 64C at load using ATItool)

Tired of having to listen to a whiny 92mm fan on your CPU cooler just because that is the fan that came with it (or because your case is narrow like mine and will not fit a 120mm based CPU cooler)? Dump the 92mm fan and slap on a 120mm baby! Materials needed:

- 2 to 4 twisty ties
- a somewhat quiet fan able to move decent cfm (I used an Ultra Kaze 2000 running on a fan controller @ 1,750rpm and it cannot be heard over the other fans. Note this is a 120x38mm fan so make sure you have the room needed in front of your CPU cooler!).





Results: -8C CPU @ load. When I installed my Vendetta, CPU temps at load were 55C with the 92mm fan. Once I twisty tied the 120mm, my temps droped to 47C max (running Orthos Small FFTs). The beauty with my setup is that the fan pretty much free hangs a couple of mm in front of the CPU cooler and causes zero vibrations, thus even less noise…and no whine (I hate whine!!!)

Not enough exhaust in your case because it came with 80mm fan(s) and you did not know better at the time (like me)? Get a 80mm to 120mm fan mount converter (Est. cost $5-6 @ Radioshack). Materials needed:

- fan converter
- felt sticky pads (Est. $2 at Home Depot) for vibration dampening



Result: -4C CPU, -2C GPU, -4C case temps @ load…and I only run the fan at 60% (Scythe Slipsteam 1,600rpm version)!

It’s all about trial and error until you find what works best for you and your rig but it is fun doing so!

.....so, what are your cheapo mods? Please share!

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- Cheapo Air Cooling Mods that Really Work!: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...ally-work.html
- 120mm Fan Tests: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...-best-cpu.html
- EPIC FAIL Anyone?: http://www.overclock.net/jokes-humor...post-your.html

"Crush your enemy, see him driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women!" -Conan

Dar_T

Very nice!!!! What are those zip ties for in the mod for the Scythe karma bay?

scottath

Fan cable tied into HDD Bay, Vantec fan card mounted with Meccano along side video cards, 80mm fan cabletied to the other side of my HDDs [unseen in picture], usually 2x40mm fans on top of northbridge, 80mm LED fan mounted also with meccano above the ram, When benching, i have another 120mm fan that sits ontop of the top card to cool northbridge also.

I think thats it.....

Qbert

There are 4 zip ties (2 at the top of the fan can be seen) that attach to the metal chassis....2 below my DVD drive at top to hang the fan and 2 that cannot be seen since I used the back fan screw holes for the ties. I did this so it slightly angles the fan downwards so the airflow is directed straight at my CPU cooler. The zip ties need to be narrow enough to fit in the fan screw holes (I got mine at the MicroCenter, the ones at Home Depot were too wide).

It is very important not to tighten them too much because if you do, the fan can pass along vibration noise via the ties to the chasis. The foam also works to stabalize the fan and not allow air recycling from the inside of the case.

__________________
- Cheapo Air Cooling Mods that Really Work!: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...ally-work.html
- 120mm Fan Tests: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...-best-cpu.html
- EPIC FAIL Anyone?: http://www.overclock.net/jokes-humor...post-your.html

"Crush your enemy, see him driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women!" -Conan

Adrienspawn

I've got a few, if you're willing to trade some Planning on putting a few in the 'Tips' section of 'Air cooling for noobs'

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It's "I couldn't care less" (Because you don't care)

THRASHER2

Zip ties are a modders best friend

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Qbert

Hey Thrasher2,

What kind of fan do you have on the cooler? Is that a Vantec 80 or 92mm? What cfm? That thing must be loud man!

__________________
- Cheapo Air Cooling Mods that Really Work!: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...ally-work.html
- 120mm Fan Tests: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...-best-cpu.html
- EPIC FAIL Anyone?: http://www.overclock.net/jokes-humor...post-your.html

"Crush your enemy, see him driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women!" -Conan

Qbert

Yes, please do...willing to trade 1 for 1! Or feel free to link....I just read through your entire tips thread and it is very good if I may say so meself!

__________________
- Cheapo Air Cooling Mods that Really Work!: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...ally-work.html
- 120mm Fan Tests: http://www.overclock.net/air-cooling...-best-cpu.html
- EPIC FAIL Anyone?: http://www.overclock.net/jokes-humor...post-your.html

"Crush your enemy, see him driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women!" -Conan

Manyak

You can also double up on fans to decrease pressure resistance to airflow.

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Adrienspawn

I will trade you this idea only because I don't have pics yet. (although I did do it)

Each fan motor is held in place by 3-4 plastic rods. These rods are Pure Evil because they (guess what?) inhibit airflow and cause noise. You can either make your own, thinner, stronger metal ones which will make almost no sound, or simply (what I did) cut the rods to make them sharp on the sides facing the blade. That way it cuts through the air, thus less resistance.

__________________
It's "I couldn't care less" (Because you don't care)