Cooling What do you think of my fan config? What to change?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by GregTheRotter, 2 May 2011.

  1. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    Hey guys, I was just wondering what I could do to perhaps improve my current cooling config, (without going water cooling of course), how I could rearrange my fans.

    [​IMG]

    I was thinking maybe I should change my cpu cooler (titan fenrir), so that the cpu fan draws air in from the rear of the case (switch the fan to the opposite side), and make both top fans, exhaust fans. What do you think?? Any other easier ideas? (Not sure I want to bother having to re-tim and reseat the cooler).
     
  2. lp rob1

    lp rob1 Modder

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    Nice representation of the cables :hehe:

    The rear of the case is traditionally the exhaust of the case because there is usually little ventilation there. The top of the case should be an exhaust because heat rises. The best thing to do would be to take the bottom fan and mount it above the HDDs. This is case dependent obviously, but it would give the CPU more cool air, as well as avoiding most of the squiggly lines cables.
     
  3. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    Hmm, I don't think I have the space. I've got a dvd rom in there and a fan controller on the way. I'd have to remove the dvd rom drive, and do some sort of mod to the case, which I don't want to do. Unless there's some sort of aftermarket bracket that I can easily install. I'll probably just remove the side fan (as I've heard it disrupts the air flow), and make the second fan at the top, exhaust.
     
  4. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    I think this is what will happen:
    [​IMG]
    (Assuming system is under load).


    Not to mention that the RAM won't be cooled off properly.
     
  5. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    So what do you suggest? Just change the top fans so that they are both exhaust?
     
  6. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    Yes, I think it will be best configuration (all back and top fan releasing the warm air from the case. Front fans brings cool air)

    Case manufacture invest a lot of money in trying to make the best cooling solution. Flipping the fan is a big win for them (doesn't cost anything), if it worked (and I am sure their test lab tested this, among many other fan configuration), then it would be used big time already.
     
  7. Pete J

    Pete J Employed scum

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    I think GoodBytes is bang on.

    You can also get into the whole 'negative versus positive pressure' argument (and don't tell me negative pressure doesn't exist, you know what I mean). Personally, I'm a fan of negative pressure.
     
  8. lp rob1

    lp rob1 Modder

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    Pete, negative pressure doesn't exist. :hehe:
    Reverse psychology at its best/worst!
     
  9. Picky88

    Picky88 What's a Dremel?

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    You should run some cpu intensive or graphics intensive program while looking at the temps. then change your fan direction and run it again to see what the difference is.
     
  10. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    Looks like I saved myself 1-2 degrees :) Not bad. Hottest core was 75 degrees C coolest 71 degrees C, now Hottest is 74, fluctuating to 74, coolest 69. I'll take it :) Am still tempted to put a side fan :lol:. Might just do that to see what it does. One of the low rpm cm fans that came with the case. I've put one of the GT Typhoon's next to the psu as intake, two in the roof as exhaust, and one at the rear of case exhaust.
     
  11. Picky88

    Picky88 What's a Dremel?

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    You might be able to fit two fans on the cpu cooler, one each side. This will help the CPU temps alot aswell.
     
  12. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    Nope it's a titan fenrir, don't think it can take a second one.
     
  13. Fingers66

    Fingers66 Kiwi in London

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    What case is it?
     
  14. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    1-2 degrees I think it's because you opened the case. We are looking for a 5 degree+ difference for the CPU, and RAM.
     
  15. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    No, I had the case closed, regardless. Before my setup change, and after. Case is a CM 690II.
     
  16. Fingers66

    Fingers66 Kiwi in London

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  17. GregTheRotter

    GregTheRotter Minimodder

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    Thanks for the ideas fingers.

    I've returned the side panel fan and immediately my system temp reported by asus ai suite, says it's gone from 35 degrees C (while saying the cpu is 37 degrees C) to 28 degrees C. At idle; coolest of the four cores is at 36(flickering to 37) degrees C, hottest is 41, flickering to 42. Ambient temps inside the case have dropped with the side panel fan ON. I tried having said fan at the bottom of the case, and it did sweet f all. Now it's drawing cool air onto the gpu, of which I'm sure some of that air is going towards the cpu. Better.

    Funny that load temps haven't change much. They average around 71 coolest core, 74 hottest, with frequent fluctuations on that read 68 degrees C 71 hottest, although they only flicker to the cooler temps for a short while.

    Cpu is running overclocked at 3980mhz. From the minute my system ambient temp has dropped by returning the side panel fan, I don't think there's much I can do about the cpu temps. It may help with the graphics temps, but I dunno.

    The bottom side fan sits just where the gpu is. The second slot just about that sits just over the titan fenrir cooler. There's just not enough clearance to fit one my GT Typhoons there. I'd need a slim fan if I was going to put anything there. So then it would be;

    top two and rear exhaust
    side panel lower (gpu), side panel upper (cpu) fan and hdd (doesn't really do much tho) as intake. So in my mind that would be 3 1850rpm fans as exhaust, 1 high power over gpu in the door, one low power over cpu, in the door, therefor there being more exhaust power?? Not sure.
     
    Last edited: 3 May 2011

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