I would think having your air flow in the same general direction would be the most effective method but I see a number of pics showing flow out of the case sides etc. Since heat rises and most PS are mounted in the upper part of the case ultimately the heat will be removed by the ps correct? SO the goal should be to increase air flow through the power supply by creating positive pressure within the case (from the front and or sides) Am I correct in these impressions?
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Case cooling
- Thread starter seabhac
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
- Location
- Lawrenceville, GA
I thought about cutting a hole in the very top of my case so I could mount either a 80mm or 120mm fan, whichever would fit. I would need to remove the power supply to do this but I think it would help a great deal considering alot of heat is trapped up there with power cables, IDE cables, CDROMS, etc. all cluttered together. Just stick the power supply back in and all should be set. Should be able to provide more airflow for the power supply as well and mine tends to run very warm.
When cooling a case, it is always best to not fight convection. Cold air in the bottom and hot out the top, which is why so many people put blowholes in the top of cases - me included. I saw a huge decrease in case temps with just a hole in the top of the case, no fan. A fan only made it better. Localized cooling such as putting a fan to blow air out of/in to a hot spot can also improve overall case temps.
As to positive pressure within the case, my personal opinion is that positive pressure is a good thing in case cooling. It ensures that air will flow outwards from the PS and from any other holes in the case. The added advantage is that you will hot have advanticious dust creeping in every crack. A big problem in dusty enviornments...
I like the idea about the clear case sides, I wonder if anyone has done that?
As to positive pressure within the case, my personal opinion is that positive pressure is a good thing in case cooling. It ensures that air will flow outwards from the PS and from any other holes in the case. The added advantage is that you will hot have advanticious dust creeping in every crack. A big problem in dusty enviornments...
I like the idea about the clear case sides, I wonder if anyone has done that?
- Thread Starter
- #5
I think I am going to give that a try. I will use the current case I have and add plexi sides to see what type of air flow occurs by using smoke of some kind. If I can photograph it and get decent pics I will post them.
I keep thinking that flow from the front of the case should be higher than out of the power supply to create positive pressure within the case and then see where the flow happens. I think ideally the smoke would make a complete circuit of the case. This might be accomplished by placing some sort of directional control in back of the front mount fan. I'll also try to use a filter of some sort to keep out the dust. That was a good point.
I keep thinking that flow from the front of the case should be higher than out of the power supply to create positive pressure within the case and then see where the flow happens. I think ideally the smoke would make a complete circuit of the case. This might be accomplished by placing some sort of directional control in back of the front mount fan. I'll also try to use a filter of some sort to keep out the dust. That was a good point.
