Sonata II duct opinions

[prism]

I just got my Sonata II yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting for the rest of my computer components to arrive. For all of you Sonata II owners out there, is the duct effective? Does it actually lower the temps of the case and components without fans in it (or are there fans in the duct already? I haven't dug around too much yet). And if you take the duct out, what do you use to plug up the hole it leaves in the back?

 

[Unkno]

hmmm, i have heard mix review on this subject...most people claim that the duct offers no temperture decrease...but i'm not too sure about this.

 

[overst33r]

they should have just used a 120mm fan on the side, they really overthought the whole concept. I will take mine off as soon as i get it, plus it will get in the way when you wanna install new parts, too annoying to take it off/on.

 

[Unkno]

yeah, it seems like antec tried a bit too hard to make it quiet by adding a duct....

anyone know the correct temp readings with and without the duct?

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Unkno
yeah, it seems like antec tried a bit too hard to make it quiet by adding a duct....

anyone know the correct temp readings with and without the duct?

Going to bed now but if its similar/relevant, ill test my slk3000b duct over the next day or so.

 

[Tiamat]

the idea of the duct is so that there arent any openings on the side panel. the side panel is where noise would leak out and this noise would be the worst offender do to it being the closest to the operators ears.

I don't really think the duct would work well due to the multiple bends however.

 

[imported_SLIM]

I had to take the duct off on my setup. There was no way to correctly position the end of the duct over my cpu on the dfi ultra-d. The memory slots are along the top of the board with the cpu below them. The duct was designed for the cpu to be closer to the top edge. I may give it a try again for the gpu fan if I get the vga silencer.

 

[Unkno]

ok....i have one question if you take out the duct, (which was also asked by the OP...) do you plug the holes in the back of the case where the duct is suppose to be? And what do you use to plug it?

 

[furballi]

The duct does not HAVE to be on top of the CPU fan to benefit. The key is to alow the fan to draw direct cold air from the room. 1/4 coverage of the CPU fan is adequate.

 

[Unkno]

found a link that somewhat explains the duct....Link

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: furballi
The duct does not HAVE to be on top of the CPU fan to benefit. The key is to alow the fan to draw direct cold air from the room. 1/4 coverage of the CPU fan is adequate.

One flaw is that the opening of the duct is just below the 120mm exhaust fan. So, you are drawing air that is at least partially heated from the internal components. Sorta defeats the purpose. Perhaps the intake should have been in the front or the side?

I had it installed but had to remove it due to some component issues, haven't installed it back again.

 

[Unkno]

gravity, since you removed the duct, did you cover the holes at the back (if yes, with what?)

and the main purpose of antec putting the duct on the back was there's less sound escaping there

 

[furballi]

The heated air issue is applicable only to those crappy Antec cases with a rear duct. The Antec SLK3000B has a side duct. All you get is room temp air that's at least 3C cooler than the case air.

As long as the CPU fan isn't making +30dB, the noise from the side duct should not be an issue.

 

[Unkno]

if your not using the duct, are you suppose to cover the holes at the back? Would it make any difference, more dust? Cover with what?

 

[hootpie]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1645263&enterthread=y

All temps at idle...my room is a sweltering 85 F right now

Temperatures without duct:
CPU: 125 F
GPU: 58 C

Temperatures with duct going to CPU with GPU slot open:
CPU: 123 F
GPU: 59 C

Temperatures with duct going to CPU, GPU slot CLOSED:
CPU: 114 F
GPU: 60 C

So as you can see, the duct actually helps a lot in my situation, but not with the GPU port open. By the way, how are my temperatures? My system is A64 3200+ and 7800GTX.

Edit: This is all with stock cooling (stock HSF, stock 120mm case fan @ medium setting, stock 7800GTX HSF). How much of an OC do you guys think I can get out of my processor with stock cooling?

 

[Dough1397]

nvmm... sorry, misread something