Better airflow needed - Overclock.net

rex4223 · 08-22-07

I just installed a Zalman 9700 and I didn't get quite the results I expected for the temp drops. I think my case flow is mostly the cause of my problem. As soon as my batteries for my camera charge I'll post some pics but for now I'll just explain what I have. I have 2 80mm Antec Tricool fans in the front near the bottom of the case for the intakes and one cheapo dynex 92mm for the exhaust. What I had in mind was swapping out the dynex in favor of one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811999613

And adding one one these to the front since I have the room for it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185020

I also thought about swapping out the scythe fan for this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185020

and putting the stock scythe fan on the top for a blowhole fan.

I'm not to concerned about the noise from the case since it's already pretty loud and I usually listen to music while I'm on my comp anyway. What do you guys think?

rex4223 · 08-22-07

Got pics now.

ice_owl · 08-22-07

Dude you have 3 unused 5" bays put a 120 in there, you would have uninterrupted flow to your cpu cooler.And it would look bad a$$ too.
:edit: yes that Scythe Kamma would do the trick ,I dont know how good the fan is but that would help.I am thinking a top blow hole might hinder flow to the cpu cooler from the front and get sucked out the top before it reaches the cooler. maybe you could make a shroud for the top one like a 90 degree shroud that sucks air toward the back (just a thought).I think you need a bigger exhaust for the back or at least a high cfm one. Ideally you want about the same exhaust to intake ratio for best air flow.What about putting 2 fans in the door, you could make a mock up door out of cardboard and try different locations until you get the best temps and put them in the side panel(door). By the way nice ram cooling.

rex4223 · 08-22-07

Thats a good idea about the shroud. I didn't think about the top mount sucking out the air before it reaches the cpu cooler. I don't have many options for an exhaust out the rear though. I don't think a 120mm will fit but I'll have to check. The 92mm vantec I linked to flows 119cfm though. If I used that for the exhaust do you think that would be enough or would I still need more? The 2 80mm up front flow 34cfm max and with the additional Scythe setup it will flow 30.5 cfm with the stock fan and 114cfm if I swap it out for the panaflo unit!

I'd like to keep the door in tact though I could cut out the metal in front of the lower 80mm fans to improve flow at the bottom. I could also cut the metal out from the exhaust fan to improve from at that end.

ice_owl · 08-23-07

Definitely cut out that metal, just doing that alone would would make a big difference. Is there any extra room above your PSU? If so you could mount a fan there.If you cut out the mesh, add that 92 van, and the pana flow you would need about a 30 cfm exhaust on top of that to be near equal if you count your psu exhaust estimated 35cfm(which you should). So with that a top fan of around 30 cfm would do the trick, now a simple shroud could be made for that.

rex4223 · 08-23-07

Theres only about 1/4" above the psu so i don't think thats an option. How about this?
If I swap out the Scythe fan for another Antec 120mm rated for 79 cfm that with my other 2 80mm would be 147cfm total intake. Now with the vantec 119cfm and my psu it would be roughly 150cfm exhaust. Almost a perfect match and the Antec comes in blue LED so it would shine nicely through the front of my door.

ice_owl · 08-23-07

Nicely figured, now do all that, post some pics and I would say job well done.

rex4223 · 08-23-07

Just ordered everything! I picked up the panaflo too just in case. I'll post pics once it's all done. Thanks for the help!!

ice_owl · 08-23-07

Your welcome, glad I could help.

Metalica732 · 08-23-07

First I would say remove your Video Card cooler PCI Card thingy

Than you must consider positive and negative pressure

Negative Pressure= Exhuast fans with higher CFM than Intake

Positive presure= Intake fans with higher CFM than Exuause

If you are overclocking then you need negative pressure

If you are not go with either equal speed fans or positive pressure

For you I would go with either equal pressure or negative

1 32CFM Silenx Fan

2 18CFM fans

I believe that it will balance out perfectly

Also see if you can do a bit of cable managment such as hiding that 24pin connector. Or routing your cables behind your motherboard tray

I honestly don't think you need that 120mm Scythe Drive Bay

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Better airflow needed

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