Cheap effective cooling

[kwarkers]

So do you reckon i should go all out and get top-o-the-line fan controler, or just a plain and simple one?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Depnds on if the fan you will be using has a fan controller with it.

There are so many brands of top of the libe fan controllers....

Here are just a few...
http://www.svc.com/fanandtemman.html

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...=872913&SRCCODE=WEBINK&CMP=OTC-INKTOMI

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=501
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications....asp?page=2&Nav=|c:501|&Sort=0&Recs=10

http://www.jab-tech.com/Fan-Speed-Control-c-42.html

http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/n...F%2Fwww.directron.com%2Faccessory.html

Also there is a program you can use that will adjust your fan speed for you!
I don`t use the program but others do. They seem to speak positive of the program!

I personally use the zalman MFC1......just becuase I love zalman products!!
There are alot of nice looking fan speed controllers on the market!!

 

[kwarkers]

The fans im looking at dont come with controlers. Im just going or cheap fans...

 

[sarcasticone]

just wanted to add a couple things I've observed with my computer at work which probably doesn't have that great of airflow.

The case has a 80mm side fan as an exhaust when it came to us. The fan isn't located inline with the HSF but rather right in the middle of the case which makes it more inline with the memory. After trying to get the case temps down a bit I flipped the side fan from exhaust to intake. It did help. But at that time I was using the stock Intel HSF that came with the CPU. It was loud and I was hoping for some better cooling. So I switched it with a Freezer7. After everything was installed, the CPU temps dropped a bit but the case temps actually went up about 5*C. So I flipped the side back to an exhaust and the case temps dropped 5-6*C. I don't know why it worked better one way with one HSF and better the opposite way with the other HSF. This case only has a 80mm fan on the back right now, so I'm probably going to mod a 120mm fan in hopes of getting better airflow. At that time, who knows, I may have to switch the side fan back to an intake. I'm not trying to disagree with anyone, just noting what I've experienced with my computer at work.

On both of my home computers, I have an airduct mounted to the side of my case that is inline with my HSF. It seems to do a good job of keeping things cool but I don't have anything to compare it to since the airduct was installed when I built the computers. You can buy the airducts at Newegg for 3.99 or something like that.

 

[H0witzer]

I decided to try your suggestion in regard to the side fan being an intake instead of an exhaust fan (as it was setup with my case).

Damn I hate to admit it but you were RIGHT! The temps dropped quite a bit. My ambiant case temp is 24, the motherboard temp is 28 (at Idle).

It isn't going up too much when running under load either.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
alot of hot air does not get trpped in the upper paret of the case unless you don`t have proper airlfow!!

The proper airflow should be from the bottom front of the cae to the upper rear back panel of the case.


With possibly a few intake fans along the3 way...say on the side panel as well as the upper top of the case....

It has been proven by several people on these and other forums that in actuality having an upper exhaust top fan makes no difference in your CPU temps.

Where it makes a diference supposedly is if your memory is over in that area and you over clock alot like I do and that fan is an intake fan.

A good 120 mm fan will be able to handle anything that is in your case that needs to be eshaust oriented!

But with that said.....I blocked my upper fan and instead I use this to blow air onto my memory-- http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/JEDI_Yoda/005a.jpg

After doing extensive tests....thus is what worked.

Also by having an upper exhaust fan you will be mis directing the air from the bottom of the case away from the CPU......

My temps speak for themselves as to whether I know what I am doing.
Especially with the present p4 chip that I have and especially since I am currently overclocked to 3.8 with and idle of 27c and a 100% load temp of 39c.

 

[0roo0roo]

if ur hardcore get a fog machine check airflow

you can get a higher speed 120mm

or yes cut holes. but window mounted fans are even louder. modifying such a case..u' just gotta figure u've lost the battle with sound and live with it unless ur going to take some extreme measures i guess.

fans 101 on the side is still good http://www.dansdata.com/hx45fan.htm