Are Slot fans any good?

[MUSTANG347]

Are the fans that take up a slot in the back of the case any good? I have seen some 87mm inlet diameter fans that seen like they will work well. Here are a few of the specs:
Air Flow: 40CFM

Noise: 23dBA

Speed: 2800 RPM

Can I beat that for $6.99?

Thanks

 

[dadx2mj]

The slot fans are ok but I don't think they work as good as 80mm exhaust fan. I used one when I had a case that just didn't have room to mount a 80mm out back and it worked OK but if there is room I would cut a hole and mount an 80mm if not go with the slot blower

 

[mechBgon]

I think they are a good buy. They don't really put out 40cfm but what they WILL do is to vacuum the heat off of the video card (if you have the slot under the video card free). That way the video card stays cooler and so does the rest of the case, unless your case is already strongly ventilated. Makes sense to me anyway. You should use a high-quality oil to oil the bearing on the slot fan, by the way (peel off the sticker on the back to get to the bearing). I recommend Tri-Flow. Don't use 3-in-1 oil or another vegetable-based oil, or WD40 either.

 

[MUSTANG347]

What I am looking for is a good solution to my cooling troubles. I am starting from scratch with the case cooling, no fans as of yet. I would really like to say away from modifying the case for now. Can anyone recomend a good set of fans? Such as 5.25 Drive fans of good slot fans?

What are the best for the buck? Any CPU fans worth mentioning?

Thanks guys!

 

[Vegito]

Friend's Geforce was hot as hell even with the fan on heatsink. Added a slot fan and it was so cool, you couldn't feel it. Not bad since its directly sucking the air from the video card. Depends on your usage..

 

[mechBgon]

If your case doesn't have a spot for an extra 80mm case fan on the rear, you really owe it to yourself to get one that does. You could pick up an Enlight 7237 without a power supply, it comes with a quality ball-bearing fan and is not very expensive, . Here is the 7237 without power supply at Onvia for $46 shipped. The 7237 has four exposed 5.25" bays, which scores points with me. If three 5.25" are enough, you might consider the Antec SX830, which comes with two fans and a power supply.

If you are planning to keep your case and it doesn't have a spot for an auxiliary 80mm rear fan, you might put a high-output 80mm fan in your power supply to increase its exhaust capacity. But when you look at the cost, that $46 7237+fan deal is hard to beat. You could also pick up a second 80mm ball-bearing fan from them for the front: 80mm fan at Onvia and they have the slot fan too: Slot fan If you want a hard-drive cooler kit, I am sure they carry them also. Keep in mind the balance of intake and exhaust... you don't want all the exhaust fans fighting eachother. If you plan on having two 80mm's in the rear and a slot fan too, you want to give the air a way in the front, either with a hard-drive cooler kit or maybe just drilling a grid of 1/4" holes in the 5.25" bay blanks. Good idea to drill the vent holes in the 7237's bezel to 1/4" as well... they are pretty small.


edit: looks like Onvia no longer has free shipping on the cases It's still under $10 to ship it to Washington via Ground shipping.

 

[MGMorden]

Acutally, Onvia no longer has free shipping

 

[FMann]

I'm not surprised at the change in the free shipping policy at Onvia -- they laid off roughly 50% of their workforce at the end of December 2000. Obviously they needed to cut costs and charging for shipping was one of the more viable ways.

 

[sweetca]

is there any way to attach an 80mm fan to my voodoo5 on the bottom side? it needs it pretty bad.