Please help with a failed mod

[hafaphoto]

Hello! I am new to building computers, o/c, and modding. I need some help with a problem. When I built my computer, I left the covers off front of my computer (where you would put a CD drive). Now my computer uses that space as an intake. I have 2 exhaust fans, 1 intake fan. I have two open bays, that suck enough air in to hold a peice of paper on them.

Here is my problem, if I do anything to this space, temps go up at least 4 degrees. I have tried putting an intake fan in this space, temps still go up! My computer runs cooler with the sides on than with them off, so that is good, but I have a big hole in the front of my computer! Today, I drilled a ton of holes in the plastic pieces that normally cover the bays, glued some thin fabric onto them, and put them on (thinking the fabric would be a filter). My temps jumped from 28 sys 46 CPU to 32 and 49 (full folding load).

I will have pictures of the mod, and my system Monday. I also have a 60# chow mix dog, whose job seems to be mainly shedding, a filter on that hole would be great!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated! If someone will tell me what format the photos need to be, and how to put them online, I would greatly appreciate it! Sorry for the long post>

E

[Smirabi]

this is an interesting situation, what positions do you have your intakes and exhausts in? that might help us understand what's going on. you may want to consider putting in a side intake with a duct to the cpu or alternate cooling solutions if you are very concerned about the slight temp increase. let us knwo what you're working with, good luck.

[QuantumPC]

I guess its just one of those things you have to choose between


A sexy case, or better airflow and temps.

You could do some ducting, that would make up for the temp rise by covering the hole.

[mtb856]

I have the same situation, but with a different mod. I recently cut several holes in my mobo plate and one fan hole in my side panel to vent heat from behind my mobo... now, I was planning on bolting a 92mm fan on the outside of the hole, but I haven't got around to it yet. Because of the excessive negative pressure in my system, air is sucked through the hole and passively cools my mobo. To combat the dust, I just took some stocking ( no, it wasn't my stocking :D ) and put it over the fan hole. It lowered my cpu temps by 4°C load and my board temp by 3°C.
The point that I'm getting at is, if having the drive bays removed works for you, just find a stocking color that looks good with your case or go stocking-less, b/c the cooling is much more important that the looks IMO.
Good Luck

[deeman]

you need to get a higher cfm fan for the intake to equal the exaust as well as a side fan maybe ducted in to your heasink

[hafaphoto]

I have 2 exhaust fans in the back, and one intake fan in the front. I also have a bad conjestion of EIDE cables running around. I ordered some round cables to replace the FD, CD, and CD burner. My HD is on a SATA cable, so it is ok.

When I hooked up an intake fan into this space, like I said, my temps jumped up a few degrees. Even with this fan in place, but not powered up, my temps were about a degree higher. I had an idea to put a fan in place, with the bay covers on, and run the fan at about 30 to 50% of its usual speed. I have very little electronic skills, but I would need a resister or something on the power wire? If anyone can help with the electronic part, I think I can make this work, it looks a lot better with the covers on, and I would get a lot less dog hair in the case. I have pictures, ranging from 63K to 43K if that will help any.

Thanks for the replies and help!

E