Cooling paths in an Enlight EN-7233 Endura...

[Über~PhLuBB]

After I completed my case mods (including self-rounded ATA-100 cables), I noticed how the flow in my case works. I have one fan in the front of the case, and one in the rear, in their appointed mounts. In the front, out the back.

After I added a HUGE HSF to my GPU, and RAMsinks, I noticed that the airflow comes in straight towards my GPU, and wouldn't flow upwards, towards the outward fan, which would complete a circuit.

In short, I've got a "pool" of fresh air around my GPU, and stale air everywhere else.

I wanted to make one fluid stream, but that wasn't possible.

I would like to put a fan in my window mod, right next to the GPU HSF, as well as a "bay cooler" wit the fans reversed. This would create two destinct streams of air, independant of one another. Cool air would come in through the front of the case, at the bottom, and would exit out the fan blowing out next to the GPU. The second stream would come in from the rear, and out the bay cooler's reversed fans. Two streams, working in opposite directions, separated by my monster GeForce2 Ultra. I realize the PSU would interfere with my airflow pattern, but that's why I drew this up. I ask your guy's advice on my choice of airflow patterns, and what you think the thermal reprocussions might be.

(Note that power cables aren't drawn, not for complexity, but because they can be placed anywhere. There are very few, it's only a 250W PSU. All cables are bound in spiral looms.)

[klosters64a]

I own one 7237, I don't know how this differs from the 7233, sorry. Like the great majority of Mid's, it's airflow using the factory supplied mounts as is isn't good enough for a P3E. And out of the question for an Athlon rig.

I tried a 92mm exhaust fan where you propose to put your 5.25" fan assembly mounted reversed. This was in a different Mid, but it's stock fannage was the same. This raised my case temp by ~2C. Bay Coolers are only good for cooling a HDD, anyway. They're too wussed to move real air.

The "S" pattern of airflow that nearly all cases come "equipped" with is good. I try not to reinvent the wheel--sometimes!

Rather than try to disturb the "S" in your case, I suggest:

Cutting away the cutesy patterns of holes that impede airflow at the factory fan mount points. Then install real-deal 80mm's in them. ~50 cfm, or more.

The upper rear 80mm fan mount can be enlarged to acommodate a 92mm fan. This only requires a little hackin' and a hewin'.

50 to 60 cfm being sucked out of the case close to the CPU and above the GPU will help!

Case airflow is best when cool air is sucked in in the lower half of the case, and hot air expelled in the top 1/4 of the case. If you want to mount a fan in your window, have it drawing air in. I've got a 108 cfm 120mm drawing air in near where you want to mount your fan in the window. I wish it was placed where you propose to put your's. The cutesy slits that are cut into the left side cover of 7237's screw up optimal fan mounting.

I suggest a PS with a fan(s) in it that move some air. As the Enlight 300W PS that came with the 7237 didn't inspire my confidence, it's in a cardboard box. For all I know, it does suck a goodly volume of air out of the case.

With 108 cfm being sucked into my case, 98 cfm should be pumped out of the case, near the top. I added a 27 cfm 60mm on the top of the case. Cutting the top of 7237's is APITA, 'cause the top cover doesn't come off. This little fan makes a big difference. The CPU is 5C hotter if the 60mm isn't turning!

Another thing. The 7237 must have 50 tiny holes in it. These need to be "plugged" with tape so that the cool air being drawn in doesn't just go out of the case where the case lets it. That air needs to go up to be helpful!

Very nice diagram. Well done!

[smokeslikeapoet]

From enlight's website all of the 72xx models have the same chassis. The only thing that differs is the bezel (and maybe the psu rating). I just ordered on from New Egg and should be getting it in tomorrow. So, from the looks of the pics at Enlight's site PhLuBB's suggestions should work on your case.