Antec P180 MODS/FANS/ETC

[entropy1982]

Ok guys my P180 case should be here in a few days.

Here are the specs i'm thinking about:
X2 3800+
7800gtx
2X1gb ballistix
2 sata II drives
2 ide drives
Powerstream 520W
Zalman 9500 (if it turns out good) or xp90

I'm planning to OC everything pretty much so i want the best air cooling i can get.

So here are my questions:

#1 Do you guys think it would be worth modding the case to get a 2nd intake fan in the front as seen Here.

#2 What would be the best method of cooling the RAM (rubberbands?)?

#3 Is it worth buying a 80X15mm fan for the vga duct?

#4 I will be ordering a panaflo L1a 120mm fan for the front intake(s) and will leave the stock tricools, good plan? I have 2 fan controllers which can control 3 fans (cooldrive 6).

#5 anything i'm missing?

 

[Dman877]

Only thing I'd mod on it for higher performance is to put a side duct in for the vga (the stock duct is useless, small fan and it pumps in hot air from the back anyway...).

 

[entropy1982]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Only thing I'd mod on it for higher performance is to put a side duct in for the vga (the stock duct is useless, small fan and it pumps in hot air from the back anyway...).

What kinda duct would you put?

 

[Mrvile]

1 - If you could do it it might be a good idea. Two fans in the front for intake and two in the back/top for exhaust sounds like good airflow to me.

2 - RAM doesn't need cooling so don't worry about it.

3 - Nah...unless you're using passive cooling of some kind on the video card you don't really need it.

4 - Fans of your choice. I'd leave the higher CFM ones as exhaust myself though.

5 - There's always something missing, but is it worth it? Probably not

 

[Bona Fide]

1. Not worth it. 4 fans should be enough for even the worst of cases.

2. Assuming you don't have a DFI board and don't plan to put the vDimm past 3.0v, you shouldn't need any more cooling than the case already has.

3. NO. Take that stupid duct out.

4. Looks good. Make sure its a 120mmx25mm and not one of the thicker 38mm ones that ARE available.

5. If you want, get Nexus or Yate Loon 120mm fans for optimal silence.

 

[tiap]

Here are some temps for a 3 gig PentD w/ stock Intel retail fan etc., Gigabyte Royal MB, 3 sata drives in lower bay and gigabyte x700w/heatpipe TBll 480psu

With case stock
fan set on auto thru the Psu cpu 47C idle, 65C with 2 instances of cpuburn running.

With Fans moved as follows
Top fan removed, top vent closed off, and moved to front upper compartment behind filter.
Vga rear intake closed off, PS holes around PS exhaust closed off.
120x38 fan set to high
Front upper fan set to high
Rear fan set to medium
TrueBlue set to auto.
All intake air is filtered.
Cpu 45C idle, 57C with 2 instances of cpuburn running.

You can see this created a good wind tunnel and dropped temps dramatically without any need for irreversable mods.

 

[linjy2]

^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

 

[Dynamix3D]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

I agree with him. Especially the 120x38mm on high. That fan is loud. Look at the decibel ratings. Those fans are not built for silencing on high settings. That is the reason they have a low setting, for those who want silence. And high is for people who want performance.

 

[tiap]

The only noise you really hear is the Intel when it winds up to 3700rpm. Sounds like the turbo on a diesel, but within 45 seconds of cpuburn ending it slows down and the temp is back down to to 47C. Under normal usuage you can't hear it. I put this one in a small office and they love it.

 

[entropy1982]

Originally posted by: tiap
Here are some temps for a 3 gig PentD w/ stock Intel retail fan etc., Gigabyte Royal MB, 3 sata drives in lower bay and gigabyte x700w/heatpipe TBll 480psu

With case stock
fan set on auto thru the Psu cpu 47C idle, 65C with 2 instances of cpuburn running.

With Fans moved as follows
Top fan removed, top vent closed off, and moved to front upper compartment behind filter.
Vga rear intake closed off, PS holes around PS exhaust closed off.
120x38 fan set to high
Front upper fan set to high
Rear fan set to medium
TrueBlue set to auto.
All intake air is filtered.
Cpu 45C idle, 57C with 2 instances of cpuburn running.

You can see this created a good wind tunnel and dropped temps dramatically without any need for irreversable mods.

Is it possible to see pics of this... i dont really understand what u mean the "PS holes are closed off" and also why did you not want the upper exhaust? wouldn't more exhaust be better?

Edit: What do the rest of you guys think of this setup?

 

[tiap]

I've have some pictures, in the camera at work. I'll try to post tomorrow.
I've always tried to put more filtered air into a case than pull air out, because of all the leaks in all cases. I've repaired some boxes that have had a 1/2 inch blanket of fuzz and hdrives etc have trashed from heat.
On the P180 there are grill holes around the ps exhaust grill, so it could be possible that if the 120x38 fan died, it could suck unfiltered air in and recirculate it thru the ps. Plus all of the air from the bottom tricool now goes thru the ps.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Dynamix3D

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

I agree with him. Especially the 120x38mm on high. That fan is loud. Look at the decibel ratings. Those fans are not built for silencing on high settings. That is the reason they have a low setting, for those who want silence. And high is for people who want performance.

The 25mm deep 120mm Tri-Cool is too noisy on medium or high. Heck Im finding 120x38mm Panaflo L1A's @7v too loud.

 

[linjy2]

Originally posted by: Elcs

Originally posted by: Dynamix3D

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

I agree with him. Especially the 120x38mm on high. That fan is loud. Look at the decibel ratings. Those fans are not built for silencing on high settings. That is the reason they have a low setting, for those who want silence. And high is for people who want performance.

The 25mm deep 120mm Tri-Cool is too noisy on medium or high. Heck Im finding 120x38mm Panaflo L1A's @7v too loud.

heheeh, so either the people above are going deaf, or we got too sensitive of an ear.

if you get the panaflow l1a, you might be able to handle the antecs all on medium, because thats probably what it will sound like. since the l1a are like 27dba?

medium is actually fine, since my old comp sounded like that, it's just after getting the p180, I had a goal of obtaining the ultimate silence, while still overclocking. it's like another addicting mod on its own.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: linjy2

Originally posted by: Elcs

Originally posted by: Dynamix3D

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

I agree with him. Especially the 120x38mm on high. That fan is loud. Look at the decibel ratings. Those fans are not built for silencing on high settings. That is the reason they have a low setting, for those who want silence. And high is for people who want performance.

The 25mm deep 120mm Tri-Cool is too noisy on medium or high. Heck Im finding 120x38mm Panaflo L1A's @7v too loud.

heheeh, so either the people above are going deaf, or we got too sensitive of an ear.

if you get the panaflow l1a, you might be able to handle the antecs all on medium, because thats probably what it will sound like. since the l1a are like 27dba?

medium is actually fine, since my old comp sounded like that, it's just after getting the p180, I had a goal of obtaining the ultimate silence, while still overclocking. it's like another addicting mod on its own.

27 dba at 12v.... dont know what they are at 7v but they are supposed to be quiet. Im finding them to be too loud to be honest. I couldnt sleep with them on. Hence Ive just came into a P3 and several neat pieces, trying to turn it into a PVR system using what I have as much as possible.

Probably going to use a Seasonic S12 430W to power it. Seasonic S12 430W powering a P3 600, gf2 gts, sb live 51. digital, 1 hdd, 1 optical drive..... it feels like a crime but its the quietest, decent brand PSU Im going to find in the UK. Id also bet that it can handle my S939/SM2 system when its built in mid-late 2006 so its not a complete waste.

 

[absj]

why 25mm? or is it just for less sound...

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
1. Not worth it. 4 fans should be enough for even the worst of cases.

2. Assuming you don't have a DFI board and don't plan to put the vDimm past 3.0v, you shouldn't need any more cooling than the case already has.

3. NO. Take that stupid duct out.

4. Looks good. Make sure its a 120mmx25mm and not one of the thicker 38mm ones that ARE available.

5. If you want, get Nexus or Yate Loon 120mm fans for optimal silence.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: entropy1982
Ok guys my P180 case should be here in a few days.

Here are the specs i'm thinking about:
X2 3800+
7800gtx
2X1gb ballistix
2 sata II drives
2 ide drives
Powerstream 520W
Zalman 9500 (if it turns out good) or xp90

I'm planning to OC everything pretty much so i want the best air cooling i can get.

So here are my questions:

#1 Do you guys think it would be worth modding the case to get a 2nd intake fan in the front as seen Here.

#2 What would be the best method of cooling the RAM (rubberbands?)?

#3 Is it worth buying a 80X15mm fan for the vga duct?

#4 I will be ordering a panaflo L1a 120mm fan for the front intake(s) and will leave the stock tricools, good plan? I have 2 fan controllers which can control 3 fans (cooldrive 6).

#5 anything i'm missing?

1. No...intakes do very little to help sys temps imo...they do aid HD cooling..I recommend bottem chamber for HD installs.
2. As stated, you will not need this w/ 2.6/2.7/2.8/2.9 RAM voltages.
3. I axed the duct, but if you want, tinker with it and experiment.
4. Pannie L1A is 120x38mm....dont think it will fit in front upper chamber intake (w/o removing the HD cage) and with your psu, (pwrstream is muy grande) you cannot put it in bottem chamber central mount.
5. This is what I got after way too many hours of experimenting lol >http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/7845/pc0431kr.jpg
Top vent blocked off with shelf (book will work too)...surrounding psu vent holes left open (I also had a 520W powerstream...returned it....overated/priced imo)...vga duct vent holes blocked off...4 Nexus all at ~700rpm...temps w/ 3500+ win @ 2.4 are 36C idle/47C load...32C HD raptor...6800gt 50C idle/64C load w/NV5...pcp&c 425W fan mod...pc is nearly inaudible from 3 feet...seriously. With the right config/fans/wiring/coolers you can make this case uber quiet. I rarely let SpeedFan turn up my 4 Nexus's to ~1000rpm...only while long gaming goes on. I did away w/ the fan cages as they take up room. All fans softmounted. Njoy that rig...looks very nice.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: linjy2
^^ your case must be loud, high and medium for the antec tricools are to loud for my taste.

Considering they're low-noise fans, AND that the P180 is built for silencing, I think your ears are too sensitive.

The Antec tri cools are not rated correctly..low noise or not...my cooler master fans are way more silent....

I got rid of the tri Cools that i had.....way too noisy.

No I am not a silence freak..just ask JBDan...I still haven`t done that mod to my PSU Famn...lolol

 

[potato28]

You haven't heard noisy until u have 11 FANS! 5 80mm's, a JET series fan(80mm, but blows 50cfm at 23dBa), 60mm fan off the stock cooler, a 92mm, and a 120mm tri-cool. I have to say the tri-cool is very quite, but thats MO.

 

[kyp275]

hmm, i have 7 additional fans on top of the Tricool that came with the P180, 4 for radiator, 1 for PWMIC, another 1 for rear exhaust, and a 92mm nexus for vid memory, it's not really that loud even with everything on high.

Then again, the xp2500 system I have is so friggin loud I can't even hear the P180 at all when it's on, so I guess I've gotten used to loud computers the cpu fan for the xp2500 blow about 125 cfm, and IIRC, rated at something like 55+ dba.

 

[CraKaJaX]

I would say those mods didn't do anything. the mod for 'easy cables' didn't work out so well from what I can see. The only thing I did was put an 80mm vantec stealth infront of the HD cage n the bottom chamber to blow some outside air on them, then have the bottom chamber fan pulling the air through and over the PSU and out the back. just makes better airflow for the bottom chamber.