Computer Cooling

[rjstaaf]

Anyone out there into modding computers? I just got a new desk for Xmas with a large area inside that I currently have 3 of my computers. It is an enclosed area so cooling has become an issue. I have a temporary cabinet cooling solution that seems to be working but, I am looking to do something more permanent. Right now I am just using an ordinary fan at the back of the cabinet to exhaust the hot air. It works but, the fan is rather noisy.

I have been looking at the various fans out there dedicated to this task but, there are so many out there and all seem to have varying specs that it is kind of overwhelming. I was hoping someone here might be able to point me to a quiet/reliable fan to look for. I would even appreciate any suggestions for forums where I can find this information.

I am not looking to mod the cases at all. I am really looking for a cabinet cooling solution. My thought is two fans at the back of the cabinet. Rather than have them on all the time, I would like to somehow control them with a thermostat. That is another area that I have had some trouble. Most of the fan controllers out there are setup to go into a drive bay to control internal fans. I have not had much luck in finding a thermostat to control fans in the cabinet.

I am at work right now but, I will post some pics this afternoon when I get home.

EDIT: Also posted below but, for those that don't read the entire thread here is a picture of the computer area of the desk.


Thanks

Bob

[Joshua312]

Bob, I am kinda looking for the same thing if I read your thread correctly. I want mind to be able to plug in the wall however, or somehow be able to rig up a system to give them power. I want them for my Xbox360 to put near the back..I should be getting my cooling station soon but the more the better IMO. Im subscribing to this thread and hopefully someone can answer your question!

[Ceezer]

I was into overclocking and modding in the late 90s but haven't really done much since 01-02. One alterntavie would be liquid cooling, because once you start adding fans then noise becomes an issue, especially when you add in the resonate properties of a cabinet.

[BigJimZ28]

Here's what I did....

went to radio shack and grabbed two fans (mine are about 4" sq.)
hooked them up to one plug

then just find a power strip with switched outlets
when you turn the computer the powerstrip
will switch on the fans!


f.y.i. I did this for a home stereo amp with an open front
if it is enclosed I would drill holes in the side opposite the fans
to pull the air across the computer

[rjstaaf]

I already have the configuration and plan of what I want to do in my mind. What I am looking for here are specific brand suggestions. Fans are just like anything else, quality ranges from bad to good. The specs on fans also vary greatly from differing noise levels to the cfm rating, even for fans of the same size. I have spent a week so far looking at different fans and I am no closer now than I was before.

Here are a couple of links to sites with similar configurations to what I am planning. I would just buy from one of these sites but, they want an arm and leg and I know the individual pieces can be had for much less than what they are asking.

Home Theater Cooling Store

Active Thermal Management -System 2 Kit and Plus 2 cooling fans for home theater and audio-video

[the other pc]

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

…if it is enclosed I would drill holes in the side opposite the fans
to pull the air across the computer

This is an important point. Air has to flow from somewhere to somewhere else. If you don’t have any way for cool air to get into the cabinet the fans can’t pull the hot air out.

Air flow ratings for fans are specified under conditions of very little obstruction. If you mount a fan on a box but don’t have a cool air intake somewhere it certainly won’t flow anywhere near its rating. But it will still be just as loud (probably louder).

You’ll get much more flow and better cooling by mounting quieter, lower flow fans along with having a low obstruction cool air intake. If you want to keep the flow high even with a low restriction intake but don’t like the noise you can try mounting the fans inside the cabinet where they are less audible and use ducting to get the air out.

If you have good air flow you shouldn’t need a thermostat. It should run cool all the time. Thermostatic fans are most useful for equipment with wide changes in load and power dissipation during use. Computers are usually pretty consistent heat loads.

I usually buy fans from Digi-Key. More often than not I’ll use Comair-Rotron fans but Panasonic, EBM, etc are good too.


PC.

[silk]

blowing fans on the outside of the case will help a little, but the solution is internal...


PCI slot case cooling, helps alot if your case doesn't have openings for more fans. I only use aluminum computer cases, they rarely even get warm....


Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

[BigHonu]

One of the best things you can do to help out with cooling your pcs is to clean up the wiring in the case. Zip ties are your friend, and moving wire bundles out of the way to get good airflow helps a ton. Ensuring good airflow is key to a quiet system. The more obstacles you can get out of the way, the easier it is to push/pull air in and out of your box.

Depending on what type of processors you are using and if you are overclocking or not, you may be able to use a passive (fanless) cooling solution on the processor with some undervolted fans in the case to exhaust the air.

There are programs that run in the background to monitor and adjust fan speed based on temperatures and parameters you set. Of course, your motherboard and fans need to have the proper connections.

Check out SilentPCReview.com for more info. They are as fanatical about quiet computing as we are about detailing.

[rjstaaf]

Here are a couple of pictures of the desk guys. You can see it in the closeup better but the back of the computer area is pretty much open. There are also several holes in the bottom for ventilation.

Here is the desk...



Here is a closeup of the computer area. There are 3 computers, the tower at the left is mine, the next one over is for the wife and kids and the one on the right is our firewall. There is a KVM switch above so that I can share the video, audio and usb between all 3 computers. You can make out the fan I am using behind the 2 smaller computers. It is just a regular household fan. With the front doors closed it does manage to lower the temps inside the cabinet by about 6 degrees.



Unfortunately there is no way I am going to drill holes in the front of a $1700 dollar desk so front to back ventilation is not really going to happen I have to make the best of what the desk already has. I think if I can get more efficient fans I can do much better than the current 6 degree drop the household fan is giving me.

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, keep them coming

[BigJimZ28]

looks very nice!
have you tested the temp drop with the fan blowing out?

[rjstaaf]

Originally Posted by silk

blowing fans on the outside of the case will help a little, but the solution is internal...


PCI slot case cooling, helps alot if your case doesn't have openings for more fans. I only use aluminum computer cases, they rarely even get warm....


Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

I am running one of these in the tower but, the other two machines have low profile slots.

[rjstaaf]

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

looks very nice!
have you tested the temp drop with the fan blowing out?

The fan does blow out. Not a big fan of intake fans as they suck in a lot of dust and most fans aren't strong enough to overcome the restriction of a filter.