Node 304 Case Airflow Optimization

[santilmo]

I slightly modded my case, removed the side panel vents and replaced it instead with an acrylic sheet (plexi-glass) and had put some LED strip. I might just be the only one that is a fan of LED lights nowadays but I just like it (kinda personal taste) for some reason.

As a result, my temps slightly increased as well probably due to the removal of the side vents. For typical usage (browsing, music, etc...), it normalizes at around 40C for both mobo and CPU temps. At cold boot, it usually idles at 31C to 33C... which what I was getting as well when I was still using Define Mini (though of course that is not the comparison here since I am now using a smaller case).

Moving on, I am now thinking of how I can improve my temps... I was thinking of going back to air cooling rather than my H60 2013 (2 SP120 HPE fans). If my theory is correct, my LCS setup is the lone exhaust and based on the fans, have low airflow, thus hot air inside my case tend to get trapped inside thus a rise in overall temps.

Opinions are highly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dma0991]

Reverse the Corsair H60 fans as intakes; draws in cold air and cools the CPU better. You'll get higher CPU temps if you decide to go back to air cooling because the Node 304 would not fit large heatsinks. Your motherboard temps will rise a little but nothing that would be alarming.

 

[AkumaX]

I slightly modded my case, removed the side panel vents and replaced it instead with an acrylic sheet (plexi-glass) and had put some LED strip. I might just be the only one that is a fan of LED lights nowadays but I just like it (kinda personal taste) for some reason.

As a result, my temps slightly increased as well probably due to the removal of the side vents. For typical usage (browsing, music, etc...), it normalizes at around 40C for both mobo and CPU temps. At cold boot, it usually idles at 31C to 33C... which what I was getting as well when I was still using Define Mini (though of course that is not the comparison here since I am now using a smaller case).

Moving on, I am now thinking of how I can improve my temps... I was thinking of going back to air cooling rather than my H60 2013 (2 SP120 HPE fans). If my theory is correct, my LCS setup is the lone exhaust and based on the fans, have low airflow, thus hot air inside my case tend to get trapped inside thus a rise in overall temps.

Opinions are highly appreciated.

Thanks!

pics of mod?

 

[santilmo]

Reverse the Corsair H60 fans as intakes; draws in cold air and cools the CPU better. You'll get higher CPU temps if you decide to go back to air cooling because the Node 304 would not fit large heatsinks. Your motherboard temps will rise a little but nothing that would be alarming.

A friend of mine suggested this also but I am a bit concerned with dust build up...

My plan is to replace it with Zalman 9900DF (coz' it matches my rig's theme :biggrin: ) and then have a 140mm exhaust back... I believe 9900DF's performance is pretty decent already. I think I could fit D14 but it's way too big for me and I don't like Noctua's color theme but performance wise, no doubt about Noctua, one of the best... (I previously owned U12P-SE2)

 

[santilmo]

pics of mod?

Here ya go...

 

[dma0991]

A friend of mine suggested this also but I am a bit concerned with dust build up...

Does not matter. You're placing it as exhaust, which means the radiator will collect less dust but due to the negative pressure, the case will accumulate more dust. By placing it as an intake, you create a point where you know the air would flow in. This gives you the opportunity to add a fan filter on that intake if dust is a big concern. It would restrict airflow but shouldn't affect much.

 

[Alan G]

A friend of mine suggested this also but I am a bit concerned with dust build up...

Get some filter material to put over the fan intake. You wouldn't have to worry about dust and could keep the current cooler. One sheet of THIS should be enough.

 

[santilmo]

Thanks for the inputs! Will try to do some experimentation with the fan orientation this weekend...

 

[santilmo]

By the way, will a tower air cooler be a better option? I mean, front fan intakes, central fans via the CPU cooler for more airflow inside the case, and finally a 140mm exhaust that should pull hot air out of the case...

 

[dma0991]

Air doesn't move in a horizontal column just because you arrange them as such. To do so would require a duct. But is it a better option? I don't think so because:

1. You already have a heatsink. Makes no sense in getting another one which would only have similar or worse performance.
2. The fin array would be a hindrance in a cramped space. Doing a RAM swap would be more difficult to do. Not much of a problem if its an ATX case.
3. You have a GPU with an aftermarket heatsink instead of a blower. It will have a negative effect(doesn't affect the H60 as it can get air directly from the outside) to the CPU temps.

 

[santilmo]

Thanks man! Points well taken...

By the way, I just reversed the fan orientation and it did seem to improve overall temps! But I will try to observe further as it is already past 12 midnight here at my end and it's raining so ambient is kinda lower than usual.