Cooling Experts, come here

[train22]

If I have a case supporting 4 fans, if I replace those (came with 80mm) with 92mm or 120mm how much would it decrese the temp significantly of my CPU? How much and is it worth it because they are not that cheap, 15 bucks each and they are load.

Also, Is there a way to cut my way into the case if its metal (Antec Case) without a big hassel of electric power tools? Cause I want to place an intake infront of my CPU chip, gonna be worth it?

[anarki_gr]

if you replace those, you will get a good decrease in temps but it will be a bit louder, unless you run the 120mm's at 7volts. to cut a hole in the case the only thing you need is a dremel. the dremel is the best tool for pc modding but it can do other stuff as well. it's really usefull.

[FRANK]

This question should have been posted in the cooling section, it'll probably be moved.

This is an area of a lot of debate. To increase the number of fans will not guarantee a lower temperature at the CPU (or video card, hard drive etc..) You have to make sure that you have "good" air flow through the case with enough cool, fresh air coming in to replace the hot stale air exhausted, according to one line of thought air in has to equal air out, others prefer positive pressure within the case and still others swear by a negative case pressure situation.

In theory you can actually hurt air flow with fans placed haphazardly, for example a fan placed in the wrong place can actually make the amount of air available to the hsf less, it can also cause "hot spots" within the case.

I'm sure that you are going to get a lot of responses to each theory in this thread, listen to them all, they all have their strong arguments, then do some more research and you'll have to decide which theory you subscribe to.

I hope that HOOT chimes in on this one for you, he has an interesting theory for cooling that I may try in the future.

By the way I prefer to have my cases maintain a bit of negative pressure, in one my cases I use four case fans with two in and two out (plus the psu fan, blowing out). I must be doing something right as you can see by my signature, all air cooled.

[Hoot]

Moved to Cooling

How much increased airflow will help your CPU temp depends a lot upon how much the current airflow is hurting it. If the temp inside your case is close to the PC room temp already, you probably won't see a lot of improvement by increasing the airflow. Also, a lot depends upon how effective the HSF you are using is at cooling your CPU. A good rule of thumb that I have used is to remove the cover and using a table top fan, blow an ample amount of air into the case with it. If the CPU temp drops substantially over having the cover on, chances are you can benefit from more through-case airflow.
For conventional axial fan case fans, my opinion is that if your HSF blows air into the HS, as most do, you will benefit from hainvg the closest case fan(s) to it blowing into the case and the furthest away one extracting air. If I had one of those Antec cases (and I plan on getting one eventually), I would have the two rear 80mm fans blowing in and the lower front two 80mm fans exhausting air. If possible, choose a model of fan on the two intake fans that is slightly higher cfm than the two exhausting, so your PSU fan is not fighting for its share of the air. Some people differ with me one this, maintiaining that since warm air rises, you want the upper rear fans exhausting and the lower intake fans on the fron blowing in. I maintain that the phenomenon of hot air rising is only a factor when you have no fans, since gravity cooling is only a factor in the absence of forced air.
As far as going to a larger fan, I would not go as far as 120mm fans. Their size requires substantial modding of the case. I would recommend the Sanyo Denki 92x32mm fan. It delivers excellent airflow, even in the presence of modest back pressure, at a very reasonable sound level. From all the fans I have messed with, it truly delivers the best rate of flow for noise of any axial fan.
You are going to have to do some metal work, regardless of whether you go with 120 or 92mm. There simply is no way around it. Besides a Hand Drill, a Nibbler and Dremel moto-tool should be standard equipment in every OC'ers toolbox. If you take your time, you can do a reasonable job of it. "Measure twice, Cut/Drill once".

Hoot

[train22]

I think I have found my "hoot" but I only wnat 1 more thing, which is actaully by my opinion the most significant which is my axial fan, I need to find a way to do it without spending any more money, I can get the fans but I don't want to buy any power tools, I won't need them more than once so...? Got any suggestions?

[funnyperson1]

trustme man, if you get a dremel, youll find uses for it.....such as....cleaning off rusty tools, shaping metal, sanding, grinding, sharpening....it is one awesome tool

[William]

you can get a nibbler to make the holes for $10 at the shack. They are slower and will tire your hands but do the job well and don't throw dust everywhere.

[train22]

does it work on metal? cause the antec case is

[William]

oh yeah, i have used them to cut holes in cases. You just need to drill the starter hole then nibble away.

[wildbilly2k]

i have a problem i have an antec 350w case and i cant cuta hole over the cpu cause there is a handle that opens and closes the case with a lock and everything on it and it i take it oof there will be a big hole in my case where i dont want it.