C M Cavalier Breathing

[manimal]

About to do some upgrades to my trusty ol' Cooler Master Cavalier. I rather like the aesthetics of the case so for the time being I have ruled out a new case. As it is now its a C2D 6600 in intel DP965LT-i know it sux- with a 7900gs. I just purchased a 8800gts and a corsair 520 to make sure it keeps everything withing the right amperage.

The temps as it is now-with the 7900gs- fluctuate from low 30s idle to 37-39 idle with no OC at all. My main problem is that my computer room in my house is over the garage witch stores alot of heat and basically stays about 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the house. I have upgraded the stock cooler to scythe ninja with a fan blowing trough it as it was recommended. I used as5 witch helped some but under load I get low 50s and with TAT I get low 60s. These temps are higher than they have been all winter so I am a bit worried about the upcoming summer.

I plan on adding some yate loons just ordered from a great deal on the forums and plan on adding one to the side panel blowing in towards the gfx card when it arrives in the mail. I have also planned on adding one below the gfx card in the empty pci slots with some ties like I have seen on a few tricked out pcs here but I am unsure what direction I should have them facing as well. I am hoping this helps temps out enough to warrant not getting a new case since I really enjoy the look of this one. What concerns me most is the lack of air intake at the top of the case. I really dont feel comfortable cutting into this case if I don't have to but may end up doing it out of necessity.

If anyone have any experience with the CM cavalier please let me know what the most efficient and quiet way to help it breath or If anyone has any other ideas as well.


M

 

[Zepper]

It'd be nice if you told us which model Cavalier you have and provided links to pix.

.bh.

 

[manimal]

Here are some pics. This is the first time Ive tried to upload pics so hopefully it will work.


Edit: how can I get the pictures to show up? I feel like a noob ; ;

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: manimal

Here are some pics. This is the first time Ive tried to upload pics so hopefully it will work.


Edit: how can I get the pictures to show up? I feel like a noob ; ;

EDIT: Ok this stupid fusetalk forum system sux 😛 Fact is you can't post images.. you just have to use the http:// tags

 

[JEDIYoda]

I never had any trouble posting links that worked without having to copy and paste to the address bar,,,

 

[RallyMaster]

/me opens up his unused Cavalier 3 and examines the innards...

1. The 80mm fan in the front is very restrictive and therefore you you should snip out the fan guard (it serves no purpose there anyway because there's a huge piece of metal blocking your fingers).
2. The 120mm in the rear isn't restricted very much and you need not snip out the guards. However, you can try replacing the fan with something more powerful than the rifle bearing 1200RPM. A Yate Loon should push a bit more air (47CFM for YL vs 39CFM for Cooler Master).
3. Mount a 120mm in bottom three 5.25" bays (remove the door, which would remove more than half the aesthetics of the case...) if you have space. This can be done either by purchasing a Cooler Master 4-in-3 module or a Scythe Kama Bay. If you don't wish to remove the door, you should try cutting slits on the door (which AFAIK is heavy aluminum) for air to flow into the case through the 120mm.
4. Install a 80mm in the bottom vent area to supply air to the video card. Seal up the top vent (the one with the round tube to provide air to the stock Intel cooler) and remove the tube. Use a CPU cooler such as a Freezer 7 Pro to take advantage of the fan mentioned in #3.

/me closes up the unused Cavalier and wonders when us3rnotfound will provide the 5.25" bay covers

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: manimal
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6782/sideclosedhv0.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2323/caseside4mf8.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4843/caseside2ij4.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2416/casesiders5.jpg

Here are some pics. This is the first time Ive tried to upload pics so hopefully it will work.

Edit: how can I get the pictures to show up? I feel like a noob ; ;

Here,,, you are.🙂
Well, first off don't cut yor case.
Check to see that your front fan is clear of wires / debris, dust and is working properly, has room to breathe. Be sure the entire pc is clean, use commpressed air.
Run with your side panel off, if the temps drop then you need more air inside, if not your heatsink may need to be reseated. If you do need more air inside the fan mounted on the side panel is the best bet.
Lastly, rule of thumb for fan direction in standard tower cases is front / side in, top / back out. If you use the slots for an additional intake fan unless you direct the other rear fans upward you run the risk of sucking in pre-heated air.
*you can form air scoops or foils out of aluminum duct tape or thin sheet metal*

 

[manimal]

Wow thanks for the replies and ideas. I have a bunch of yateloons otw and will replace the stock fans with those and will have to reroute all the wires near the fan in the front of the case, especially the mess-owires that go to speaker and lights and power switch. Do you think the freezer pro will do a better job than the scythe ninja revision B that I have in there now? When the new psu and gfx card arrives I will prolly pull out the motherboard and try reapplying the as5 and see if I get a better contact. The new psu should help air flow since its modular and the cables should be easier to route.

Right now doing light internet work the pc is running at a even 35-36 witch isnt too bad since the outdoor temps are in the low 70s and inside this room ambient temps are 75ish degrees. When I get the the new psu and the gts installed Ill post some pictures and temps as well.


I'm gonna hold off on getting a kama bay or any pricier fans since those costs will add up to being half a what a decent new case would cost anyway.Again thank you very much for the help


M