airflow through HDs?

jonesmaster

Member
Aug 24, 2005
48
0
0
Ive got a TX1050B that im building.

It has 2 removable 3.5" trays, the top one is slated for floppy, and bottom one (which has intake 80mm fan) is slated for the HDs.

I am not installing a floppy or other 3.5" drive other than 2 HDs.

Im wondering which tray I should put the HDs in, or maybe one in each tray?
The 80mm fan is "supposed" to cool them, is that even necessary? I would kind've like to leave that tray open so the 80mm blows into the main area and hits the GPU.
heres a pic of the layout:
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/Antec_TX1050B_5.html

I guess it depends on whether the HDs need cooling or not.

 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
I have the TX-1030b (quite similar in design to the 1050, almost identical) and I have my one HD in the bottom tray with a fan hooked up to a fan controller, blowing across it. I feel a bit safer knowing that there is steady airflow over my HD. If anything, I would get at least just a panaflo L1A, or any other really quiet fan. I would put both drives in the bottom tray.

Thats just my take on it.
 

mchammer

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2000
3,152
0
0
You could put one in each tray, and put the hotter one in the bottom try, so it will be cooled by the incoming air, and one HD won't block the airflow much. If your case temperatures are good and they are standard drives, I don't think the fan is needed.
 

wpshooter

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2004
1,662
5
81
Yes, unless it is a very old drive, you need a fan to cool it. Try placing your hand on a 7200rpm drive that does not have auxiliary cooling and then put your hand on one that does and you will quickly feel the difference.

You can buy an auxiliary fan that will mount in your drive bay, either under or over your drive. I would send you the particulars on these fans except I threw away the magazine from the vendor that I buy these from and I can not remember the name right now. If you do a google search, I am sure you can probably find a source for them. I believe the fan is a 90mm and it is enclosed in a rectangular metal case, which mounts in your drive bay.

Good luck.
 
Dec 17, 2004
56
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HD cooling is really needed and gets underestimated. They dont need allot of airflow, so most silent casefans will do fine. HD's lifetime and noiselevels improve quite a bit in my experience.