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Cheapo Air Cooling Mods that Really Work!

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48K views 76 replies 40 participants last post by  edman545  
#1 ·
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):

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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)
Image


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)
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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!!!)
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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)!
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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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#3 ·
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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.....
 
#4 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dar_T View Post
Very nice!!!! What are those zip ties for in the mod for the Scythe karma bay?
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.
 
#7 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by THRASHER2 View Post
Zip ties are a modders best friend
Image

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!
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#8 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrienspawn View Post
I've got a few, if you're willing to trade some
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Planning on putting a few in the 'Tips' section of 'Air cooling for noobs'
Yes, please do...willing to trade 1 for 1!
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Or feel free to link....I just read through your entire tips thread and it is very good if I may say so meself!
 
#10 ·
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.
 
#12 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalavere View Post
Wow that bay fan idea, is a really good one, kudos to you sir!

I may well have to steal it, I have two spare Coolermaster 120mm fans and one spare Akasa fan. I could use the two Coolermaster ones as intake fans for my 8800's.
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You're welcome, all ideas are free here (until I can figure out a way to mass market them and make millions...mwahahaha).
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Funny that I have 2 spare CoolerMaster fans too...the blue led ones that came with my case (semi POS fans though).

Ok guys, I want more pics of your cheapo mods! Next three to post with pics get +rep (yes, blatant bribery accepted/offered here!).
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Cheers!
 
#16 ·
Nice ideas on my old case i made floating fans per say took metal and bent it then drilled holes then attached it to outside of hardrive bays so i could move air over ram or mosfets whatever i needed it. And sence you can bend it you can angle it how you need it.
 
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#18 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrienspawn View Post
Ok take one from my thread SIGH
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(Take The Enzo one, my favorite)

If not, here's some pics of my yet unpublished : Replacing thermal poop on video cards with the real stuff! 5C off if you do it well! Also, no hurt to your warranty!
Dosen't removing the heatsink void the warranty?
Ifnot - i'll do this also to my 2 HD3870's [Artic Silver 5 ok?]
 
#19 ·
Sweet mod pics guys!

+1 rep for Adrienspawn (although I am tempted to -1 rep you for that awful carpet bro).
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+1 rep for scottah...even better in that the fans are not perpendicular to the mobo...so ghetto (I assume it's because your cpu cooler gets in the way?).

+1 rep for killa concept...nothing like cooler recycling (aka thanks for keeping the environment clean)! If you guys have not done so, read his thread...it's very entertaining and practical!
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Keep 'em coming!
 
#20 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by scottath View Post
Dosen't removing the heatsink void the warranty?
Ifnot - i'll do this also to my 2 HD3870's [Artic Silver 5 ok?]
It does, but then (hopefully) you put it back on. Unlike an Xbox 360, they don't have a secret way to find out from a million miles away. How would they know you replaced their crap TIM
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#21 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbert View Post
Sweet mod pics guys!

+1 rep for Adrienspawn (although I am tempted to -1 rep you for that awful carpet bro).
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+1 rep for scottah...even better in that the fans are not perpendicular to the mobo (I assume it's because your cpu cooler gets in the way?).

+1 rep for killa concept...nothing like cooler recycling (aka thanks for keeping the environment clean)! If you guys have not done so, read his thread...it's very entertaining and practical!
Image


Keep 'em coming!
Thought you might want to know, updated 'Air cooling for nubs'' , care to offer a mod? And my carpet is the most beautiful in the world!
 
#22 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbert View Post
+1 rep for scottah...even better in that the fans are not perpendicular to the mobo...so ghetto (I assume it's because your cpu cooler gets in the way?).
Correct - only the heatpipes get in the way - infact even without the fans, the north bridges heat sink is <2mm from the heat pipes - the mofets cooler on the other side has less then 2mm clearance also

Below are picture of the Clearance
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...h/DSC02583.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...h/DSC02584.jpg
 
#23 ·
#24 ·
Here is pics of my old ram cooler i made:

To custom make it:
get 2 80mm fans
cable tie them together
get some motherboard standoffs/long screws and make poles above the ram [using the normal ATX holes in the PCB of the motherboard]
Screw the fans on top
Cooled ram
Image


Picture of my setup on my old board:
Image

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#26 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by dead_j0ker View Post
this thread is made of epic win keep posting pics I LOVE IT!
As you can see, dead_j0ker is jonesing for more mod pics....so am I! Modding, it does a body good....

Post what you did with pics please if you can!
 
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