Improving the 212+'s efficiency...?

[Charlie98]

As far as an aftermarket CPU cooler, it's pretty hard to beat the 212+ for the money, but I've always thought the 212 could use some 'sprucing up' as far as it's design efficiency is concerned. As installed there are huge gaps around the fan(s) (I have a push/pull setup on my 212+... mostly trying to get it to work better



It seems kind of dumb to allow the air the fan is pushing to escape around the exchanger before it could do any good (i.e. going through the fins on the heat exchanger to carry off the heat,) and even with a pull fan not increasing the efficiency much (based on my RealTemp readings during LinX testing.)

They say there isn't much duct tape can't fix... so I gave it a try...



Primarly trying to close the top and bottom gaps between the fans and the heat exchanger fins, I used duct and electrical tape to seal the gaps.

Did it work? My idle temps have dropped about 3C (from 33-35C to 28-30C ) and at full LinX testing, temps have dropped about 5C (right at about 70-72C now, as opposed to 76-79C... and 80-83C with a single fan.)

Has anyone else tried to seal their CPU cooler up and what results did you find? And I wonder about a big cooler, like the NH-D14, how much more efficient it could be if they would design shrouds/ducts to get the air through the exchanger fins... instead of allowing it to escape away from them.

[dma0991]

I most certainly thought of that idea when the bigger CM Hyper 612S came out. It was inspired by a cooler which had its fin tips bent in a 90 degree angle to create the same effect; can't remember which cooler that was. Thought of using thick cardboard or aluminum panels to cover the sides. I would just stick it at the side of the fan mounting brackets with double sided tape.

The CM Hyper 612S was shortlisted when I wanted to build my rig but it lost to my temptation watercooling.

[tangrisser]

Interesting you posted this because I was just thinking the same thing.

Thanks for sharing. I hope there is an alternate material that won't leave residue when it comes off?

[Charlie98]

I was also thinking of a different material, like a cut up bicycle inner tube or something more pliable and resistant to heat (unlike black tape.) The biggest trick on this particular cooler is you have to put the fans on after the cooler itself is mounted.

I even considered building a duct to the 3rd (identical CFM) rear case fan... a triple-fan 212+!

[Torn Mind]

Aluminum Foil tape might serve you well.

[Pedroc1999]

Foil tape might heat up dangerously since it too conducts electricity and heat...

[Torn Mind]

Originally Posted by Pedroc1999

Foil tape might heat up dangerously since it too conducts electricity and heat...

Oh, so that is why foil tape is not used HVAC and dryer exhaust vents. Besides, the entire cooler is then dangerous because that copper and fins are all fine conductors of heat and electricity.

[Pedroc1999]

Yes... But foil is brittle and after a few-many heat cycles it may well rip, shrink or increase flamability

[Eureka]

Foil tape will certainly work better than a duct tape solution. Hell it's used in automotive applications. It isn't so brittle or flammable for the inside of a PC, where your air temp won't go past 60°C.

The only issue I see with foil tape is if the adhesive doesn't hold or it wasn't properly applied, it could fall and cause shorts elsewhere. If you can avoid that, it's certainly a better solution.

[Charlie98]

I have a roll of foil tape in the garage! Hadn't though of that. The plus side is you can cut it to fit the contours, and it doesn't stretch (but it does puncture/rip.)

I'll have to think about that. The one down side is getting it off... my experience with the roll I have is, well, it's very reluctant to come off.

[zephyrprime]

For my heatsink, I also have a duct made out of tape that goes from the heat sink to the rear exhaust fan. That helps too.

[gandhi1]

There have been some HSFs built with shrouds

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835101201
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106187

Nice to know you can just use ducttape too.

[Charlie98]

Originally Posted by gandhi1

There have been some HSFs built with shrouds

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835101201
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106187

Nice to know you can just use ducttape too.

That Thermaltake looks like a 212+ clone... but it's got that big gap on the sides... ...more duct tape!

[lehtv]

If that looks like a 212 clone, I guess any 120mm tower looks like a 212 clone

[MadScientist]

I replaced my Hyper 212+ a while back with a Corsair A70. I got it on sale from Newegg for $21.42. AR shipped.
http://www.corsair.com/air-series-a70.html

Corsair does not produce this anymore but still available from Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair+...0Fan&cp=1&lp=1

Pros: Comparing it to my CM 212+ (2 fans @2000 RPM), load temps (Prime 95 large FFts and IBT max ram) were 3-4 degrees cooler.

The A70 came with 2-120mm shrouded fans, a sturdy mounting system (does not move like the 212+), has less space between heat pipes and the base partitions to fill in with TIM than the 212+, and 8mm heat pipes versus 6mm on the 212+.

Cons: Each of the fans is rated at 61.2 CFM at 2000 RPM and run at 31.5 dBA. They can also be restricted with 2 supplied inline power resistors to make them run at 50.35 CFM at 1600 RPM and 26dBA each. Note that they have three-pin connectors, so they do support PWM automatic speed control.

Heat sink is wider than 212+, A70: 159.5mm x 124.6mm x 129mm (H x L x W without fans); 212+: 158.5mm x 120mm x 79.7mm. Fan covers my first ram module. Luckily they have low profile heat spreaders.

[Charlie98]

Originally Posted by lehtv

If that looks like a 212 clone, I guess any 120mm tower looks like a 212 clone

In general layout (with 2 fans, like my setup.) Actually, the more I look at the Thermaltake, the more I like it.... maybe my HTPC needs a used 212+...

[ketchup79]

Nice thread Charlie98, I look forward to seeing any additional developments.

[Vectronic]

Originally Posted by ketchup79

Nice thread Charlie98, I look forward to seeing any additional developments.

+1 to that, I don't have a 212... I have the Zalman CNPS9900Max there's about 2mm between the end of the fan fins, and the end of the radiator fins...

I'm going to attempt, to create a shroud out of probably a 2L pop bottle (something clear, and thin), and just have it "friction fit" (heat gun, soldering irons, lots of ways to mold plastic)

Theory 1: If it doesn't improve cooling, it will probably reduce fan noise.
Theory 2: If it increases fan noise, it should improve cooling.
Theory 3: If either of those fail, scrap idea.

Interested in people's attempts at improving their coolers though.

[Pedroc1999]

Lovin Ur theory 3!

[Vectronic]

Well yup, theory 3...

Zero effect on cooling, did make it a bit quieter at idle speeds, louder at top speed.