ducts: best distance from HSF

[tio]

I've been using a duct to direct airflow from a fan on my sidepanel to the fan on my heatsink for quite a while now. I know there are differing opinions on this, but what do all you ducters out there suggest I do: have the duct right up against my HSF, or have it a ways away from the HSF with some space inbetween the two?

[modenaf1]

I have it go past my fan but not blocking hs. so mine is completely sealed and only takes air from the fan on the side panel.

http://www.geocities.com/modenaf1123/duct.JPG


if the pic dosent show up click here (http://www.geocities.com/modenaf1123/duct.JPG)

I might try to pm it to you because geocities banned me because doing this for some reason is "violating terms and conditions"

I tried to pm it to you but you cant attach files to pm's

sorry.

anyways, I would make sure there is a fan on side panel with the duct sealed between the two fans so that all it can take in is outside air. I made mine out of poster board and ducttape. too bad i cant get a pic of it.

[PsYcO CyBrArIaN]

I ducted my side panel fan halfway to the HSF to get it out of the way of the rear mounted exaust fan's pull. Good combination-only a 10 degree differantial on CPU vs ambient.

[skab]

I've got mine about 1 inch away from HSF but I've also got my duct 1 inch larger in diameter than my HSF. Been cdunching steady for two weeks and running at 40C/104F at the cpu with 105F on the motherboard.

[tio]

Thanks for the replies.

I forgot to ask: what size of fan do you guys use for the one mounted on the side pannel that's ducted. A lot of people recommend using a 120mm if possible...I've been using an 80mm.

[modenaf1]

80mm work fine.

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=180341

[tio]

Originally posted by modenaf1
80mm work fine.

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=180341

Thanks for the recommendation. I think I'm going to pick up a Smart Fan 2. I've been using a Delta 68 for a while and I can't stand the noise!

[modenaf1]

all deltas creatr alot of noise for the amount of air they move.

[Captain Hilts]

I use a 120mm, I don't see why you wouldn't if you're going to cut the hole yourself anyway. It just means you can get the same cfm at a lower noise level.