Ultimate case for air cooling? - Page 3 - Overclock.net

ExperimentX · 10-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikePilot

One idea I've not seen implemented that could work would be to get a small electric leaf-blower and use it to push a huge amount of air into your case. You wouldn't need any other fans, just exhaust vents... It would have its own plug so no extra draw on your psu. With some work and case modding (of the blower and your case), I think you could make it look decent.

Ummm... that is definitely something I don't want to do lol

ExperimentX · 10-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunky_Chimp

None. If you want one though, and still have airflow, the ATCS840 is an excellent option if you want to mod the side panel to mount fans in it.

I definitely like this idea...maybe even find a pre-fabbed side for it that has....4+ fan mounts on it?

Chunky_Chimp · 10-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentX

I definitely like this idea...maybe even find a pre-fabbed side for it that has....4+ fan mounts on it?

I don't know of anyone that has such a panel, you would have to do it yourself.

Bindusar · 10-11-09

I apologize for the length of this ahead of time.

As of late I found myself contemplating air cooling, CFM and currents within a case. There have been debates in the past regarding positive vs negative pressure in the case and since you are looking for max air cooling I thought I might throw a thought into the mix:

Are exhaust fans really necessary??

I offer tech stations as an example...as long as you have an air current directed at the HS you should be fine. Just for discussion sake let's assume we're using fans pushing 100 CFM. With both intake and exhaust fans, if balanced, the total CFM of the case is only 100 CFM relative to each component. I know, you're going to say I've lost my mind...that 4 fans at 100 CFM equals 400 CFM. I agree. However my point of component placement is critical. If you look at the diagram you'll see where I am going with this. While the case may have a total thoughput of 400 CFM, the HS's will likely never experience an air current even equal to that of one fan because the cross sectional area of the column of air coming out of the fan is smaller than that of the cross section area of your case. In other words, unless you have the same amount of case cross sectional area as that of the fans, the air velocity within the case will go down do to dispersion. Now, if you can reduce that area and channel the flow specifically at your target components you can then increase the velocity of air over the HS. This is the same effect as running a higher GPM/GPH pump on a water cooled circuit, except that with water you are guaranteed a closed system and will experience the benefits of higher velocities.

So why ask about exhaust fans? Well, if you know you are properly directing you air currents to the HS's then simple atmospheric pressure laws will exhaust the case through the openings that would otherwose have fans mounted over them. Save the cost, power, noise, additional wires and controllers needed for exhaust fans and just let the case vent naturally.

Thoughts?

dkev · 10-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindusar

I apologize for the length of this ahead of time.

As of late I found myself contemplating air cooling, CFM and currents within a case. There have been debates in the past regarding positive vs negative pressure in the case and since you are looking for max air cooling I thought I might throw a thought into the mix:

Are exhaust fans really necessary??

I offer tech stations as an example...as long as you have an air current directed at the HS you should be fine. Just for discussion sake let's assume we're using fans pushing 100 CFM. With both intake and exhaust fans, if balanced, the total CFM of the case is only 100 CFM relative to each component. I know, you're going to say I've lost my mind...that 4 fans at 100 CFM equals 400 CFM. I agree. However my point of component placement is critical. If you look at the diagram you'll see where I am going with this. While the case may have a total thoughput of 400 CFM, the HS's will likely never experience an air current even equal to that of one fan because the cross sectional area of the column of air coming out of the fan is smaller than that of the cross section area of your case. In other words, unless you have the same amount of case cross sectional area as that of the fans, the air velocity within the case will go down do to dispersion. Now, if you can reduce that area and channel the flow specifically at your target components you can then increase the velocity of air over the HS. This is the same effect as running a higher GPM/GPH pump on a water cooled circuit, except that with water you are guaranteed a closed system and will experience the benefits of higher velocities.

So why ask about exhaust fans? Well, if you know you are properly directing you air currents to the HS's then simple atmospheric pressure laws will exhaust the case through the openings that would otherwose have fans mounted over them. Save the cost, power, noise, additional wires and controllers needed for exhaust fans and just let the case vent naturally.

Thoughts?

Firstly, I would like to say you have too much time on your hands.

I do agree with you though to a point. I don't believe it is possible to achieve positive or negative pressure with today's enthusiast cases. There are just too many vents. However, I believe if you do not use exhaust fans you would create " hot spots" around certain areas. Air will always take the path of least resistance. So I do believe air will travel toward the exhaust fans before escaping through the vents. I really need to bring my manometer home from work and test my case pressure. But now that you bring this up...I am tempted to test your theory. Gotta love infra red thermometers.

Maestrotogo · 10-12-09

I like the Antec 1200 as well...great wind tunnel effect...not removable mobo tray though...

Vermillion · 10-12-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunky_Chimp

None. If you want one though, and still have airflow, the ATCS840 is an excellent option if you want to mod the side panel to mount fans in it.

I second the ATCS 840. Plus if you ever decide to go water, you can fit a bunch of rads internally.

bulmung · 10-12-09

does anyone consider the lian-li pc-p80 a good air cooling case? and you could possible mod the side panel and add a bunch of fans.

ExperimentX · 10-13-09

I'm leaning towards the Thermaltake Armor/Xaser or the Antec 1200.... help a brother out guys

jcichetti · 10-13-09

ummm ... this?

You did ask for the ULTIMATE air cooling case, and I think this has to take the cake. In all seriousness, the antec 1200 is very sweet, check out my build log.

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Ultimate case for air cooling?

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