case cooling solution

[kiria]

I've got a new HSF for my OC e4300@3Ghz, zalman 9500 and I can say it rocks. On stock intel cooler I was getting in TAT 49idle/crash under load));-now 36 idle/61 load. BUT, it's only with the case opened. When it's closed I'm idling 46-47/66-69 load under Orthos, wich is not good. i have a cheapest case I could find (it was so dumb of me), it has 80mm rear fan and a place for 120mm side fan. No front, top fans. There's a 7900gs just in the middle of the side fan hole. Does placing side intake 120mm fan will work, and/or do I need also to jigsaw a hole in the top for the top fan? So, what's the best solution for cooling this thing?
Thanks.

 

[zagood]

Start with installing a 120mm fan as intake on the side.

I'd also recommend drilling holes for a 92mm fan on the back of the case (instead of 80mm). If you've got the real estate, cutting for a 120mm fan would be the best.

Also check out the bottom front of your case again, there may be mounting holes there and you just missed them. What case?

-z

 

[kiria]

Nothing in the front bottom, that's for sure. But what about the top? Do I need it, and is it easy to drill/jigsaw it?

 

[Zepper]

There is little evidence that a blowhole (top) makes much diff in case cooling. Cutting a 120mm fan-sized hole in the front if there is room for one would be better or in the bottom near the front (cover the hole with a filter of some sort). You can add a 120mm fan at the rear without cutting but until you get some venting at the front all you'd be doing is cooling your video card better as the rear fan will just be drawing from the side vent - not much else will be cooled significantly. Here is how I solved a PSU cooling issue without much cutting which could easily be applied to your case: Outside the Box. Use an 80 to 120 adaptr. Though you will need to cut the grill out of the 80mm fan hole if it is restrictive at all - should do that anyway as I'm sure it's making your current fan's life harder.

.bh.

 

[Late4Dinner]

C'mon, don't get all down on cheapo cases, they're the easiest ones to mod.

Personally, I'm a big fan of ducts that feed fresh air to coolers. They're cheap and easy to make. I made my last one out of an old shoebox and some duct tape (which makes me one of the few people who use duct tape for actual ducts).