Hello, I have a question regarding airflow in my case. Here's my spec: Intel Core i5 750 @ 3.8Ghz Titan Fenrir cooler 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 Gigabyte P55M-UD2 motherboard Coolermaster Elite 330 case ATI 4870 graphics card Samsung F3 hard disk The problem I have is with the cooler fitment. Due to the height of the heatsinks on the RAM and how close the RAM slots are to the CPU, I cannot fit the cooler the correct way round i.e. cooler fan pushing air over fins to a case fan (exhaust) at the back of the case. To get round this, I have turned the Titan around and turned the fan around so that it is pulling air over the fins instead. Doing it this way is giving me a Prime95 core load temp of 73 degrees, which I feel is a bit too high. I have 2x 12cm case fans, one at the bottom front as an intake and one at the top rear as an exhaust. I have added an extra 12cm intake fan under the DVD drive so that it is in front of the Titan and RAM to help with airflow. My main question, is if I was to turn the rear case fan around (changing it to an intake), turn the Titan fan around (so it is pushing air over the cooler) and turn the extra fan under the DVD drive around (so that is an exhaust), is that likely to be any better? I know that it's better for the airflow to go front-to-back, but as this is impossible I'm wondering if an airflow of back-to-front is a better solution. I was thinking about leaving the front lower intake fan as it is to help cool the hard disk and provide air for the 4870. Sorry for the large post
when trying to find the best airflow in a case you should always experiment to see what is best for you because it is different per peson and you should always experiment to see what fits you best
There's only one intake, one exhaust, and not much room for airflow in there. That's why the temps are so high - you've whacked a high-end gaming rig into a cheapy case! I'm not saying you have to go as leviathan-esque as a TJ07 or an Antec 1200, but an upgrade would be a sensible idea here. This might sound a bit extreme, but take the system out of the case, and re-run the Prime tests, with the Fenrir in either push or pull mode. See if the max temp is lower. If so, it means the case cooling is inadequate, and holding the hot air inside.
If you find yourself in the market for a new case can I suggest you take a serious look at the Antec 300 approx the same size are your Coolermaster but in my opinion infinitely superior. The PSU in mounted at the bottom taking it out of the way, twin fan bays at the front (empty) but with a fan in the roof and at the back/top (3 speed control), giving you the option of exhausting out the back or out the top(depending on HSF fit). It is well finished and solidly built for the price. Plain looking in matt black it offers function over aesthetics. Just a suggestion.
i recomend this case as it is the best cheap case for a high end system http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Cool...k-Midi-Tower-Case-with-Mesh-Top-Panel-w-o-PSU
Seems like an OK choice, a little more expensive, but in the end I suppose it all comes down to personal preference, all we can do is offer up suggestions. Good luck with your selection!
Changing the case certainly is an option I suppose. I quite like that Antec 300 case, I prefer cases to look plain than flashy.
Well with the 300, you will have the option of fitting your HSF to exhaust out the top fan as I have done, turn it 90 degrees(fitting conflict with some cooling fins on Mobo). But as I have said already, do some research, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Good luck
I need to do a bit of measuring first, but if I can rotate the Titan cooler so the fan is blowing air up towards the roof of the case then I'll get the Antec 300. If the graphics card is in the way and I can't change the position of it, then I may as well keep my current case.
Well, reversing the airflow made the temps worse. And I don't think I can turn the Fenrir 90 degrees so the airflow is going upwards. But I've decided to buy the Antec 300 anyway. Something for the rest of my week off...
