80mm to 60mm adapters

[JimboZ88]

I am going to buy a Swiftech MCX370 and don't want to pay $15 more for a fan that i don't need. the fan they provide is 33cfm, and i have a sunon that does 40cfm, but it is an 80mm. Do fan adapters lower the cfm at all, because the adapter costs $13 and to get the fan it'll cost $15. so...

$13 for adapter (with a 40cfm fan i already own)
...or...
$15 for 33cfm fan that comes with heatsink

when it's all said and done, what is the better way to go? and again, i need to ask if adapters lower performance.

i would rather spend $37 (the heatsink and adapter) than $40 (for the heatsink and stock fan), but would rather spend the $3 if any performance is gained from the stock fan.

Did you get all that?...summarized, all this means is that i'm CHEAP!

[macklin01]

Hmm, well, I'd imagine that depending on the adapter, the CFM's will go down somewhat, but not by an appreciable amount. (I use an Akasa 60->80mm adapter on my Tt Volcano 6cu.) Another nice plus: as you'll be using a bigger fan, you'll be able to get the same CFM's for a lower level of noise. I increase my airflow by a few CFM's but decreased my noise by around 1-2 dBA. (And a 3 dBA reduction is a 50% noise reduction, just for reference.)

I'd personally recommend the Akasa unit. It's designed to not have the back pressure problems that the funnel-type designs can have, and some of the air will also flow outside your HS and help cool your northbridge, etc. here's one (http://www.kdcomputers.com/eui/prime/profile/804.htm) for $6 at kdcomputers.com. Here (http://www.casecooler.com/80to60plasfa.html) it is for $9.00 at casecooler. (Listed because it may come out to less w/ shipping.) It also comes in clear, if you like that.

I hope this helps -- Paul

[R.Rabbit]

make one dude! sheet metal or cardboard...
oh and nice avatar! :D :D

[macklin01]

That's a good point -- for being the ultimate cheapy, you can always make one! ;)

Another method (for some HS's) is to attach the fan at a 45-degree angle and then fasten it with some sort of rubber bands. (Pass the bands through the holes in the corners of the HS from below and over the corners of the rotated fan. I believe you can find a picture of that on the main page in one of the archived articles for an SK-6 or SK-600 or something of the like.

-- Paul

[AbraM]

Originally posted by macklin01

I'd personally recommend the Akasa unit. It's designed to not have the back pressure problems that the funnel-type designs can have, and some of the air will also flow outside your HS and help cool your northbridge, etc.

The only adapter my usual store has is named swiftkill. It is round and has no "outlets" on the sides. How does that back pressure problem you mention act? For the swiftkill the stores homepage recomends using it for sucking air instead of blowing just for this. But I wonder what it means (back pressure problem that is)?

/Abe

[macklin01]

Hi, and welcome to the forums.

Hmm, well, in essence, trying to force a given volume of air through a smaller diameter tube creates some pressure in the funnel area (as it tries to compress the air), which tends to counteract the fan pressure (since these aren't exactly the highest-torque things in the world.)

-- Paul

[AbraM]

Thanks!
So this means that you don´t get the full power out of the fan with the wrong type of adapter, if I understand it correctly.

Well I´m thinking about buying that adapter, to get more flow and less noice. Í think I will try and see how it works. It´s not that expensive and I could always try to drill a few holes in it or something if it doesn´t work properly. Or perhaps try with having it suck air instead of blowing?

/Abe

[macklin01]

Not a problem. Yes, you may well see less airflow / power with that particular type of adapter. You might try to drill holes in it, or maybe just order it online at your favorite etailer. (It's the way most of us get our parts nowadays. ;) )

From what I've seen, most people get the best performance from having teh fan fan blow onto the HS and not suck air off from it. But of course, your mileage may vary ...

Best of luck, and have fun! :)

[JimboZ88]

thanks to everybody that posted. I think i am going to make one, because it seems quite easy.

Thanks again