Cooling computer in an enclosed place

[jeffK]

Hello all.

My computer is in a computer armoire due to space reasons and spouse reasons. And I can't put it anywhere else. There is maybe 1 inch space on both side and 3 or 4 on the top and 3 or 4 in the back. The back leads to behind the armoire, but the air-flow I am sure there is terrible. So the only open place is the front. What would you guys do in my shoes (and kicking out the wife or moving the computer are not options). I did buy a 5.25 bay fan, one with 3 little ones that blows air out the front, but they are noisy and probably not too effective.

System:
Mid Tower case
AMD XP 2600 Mobile
ATI 9800 Pro
2 7200 RPM drives
2 optical drives

Lets see what you geniuses come up with.

Jeff

 

[Dough1397]

if the back of the armoire is open then shouldnt be too bad....

some pics would help

 

[beatle]

If the front is open and the back is open, you should be fine. The duallie in my sig is in a similar enclosure and the back is the only open part.

The key is getting cool air where you need it: the cpu and video card. Consider cutting a hole in the side panel and installing a fan blowing into the case there. Even in a relatively closed environment this can help tremendously.

 

[Gravity]

I took the back off my armoire so my tower could breathe. Lowered temps considerably.

 

[jeffK]

Thanks for your replies. The back of the armoire is open, but there are lots of cables back there, and the armoire is only 2ish inches from the wall. You guys think that will allow enough air to flow through?

 

[MrControversial]

What's up with chicks being so greedy over space...crap. I'm glad I'm single (as in not married), no chick is going to come in my place and complain about where my stuff is.

 

[jeffK]

I know what you mean. But it was really having kids that killed my space. With no kids I had my own computer room, but after my 2nd kid I lost it.

 

[obes4k]

get a water cooler if you are into overclocking etc... The cpu would stay cooler that way than if you left your hsk in place and threw the case in a snow bank outside... otherwise, you may want to invest a little into higher quality air solutions, but what it all comes down to is this; how is the computer running NOW? If it's lagged out under load or crashes sometimes during games or heavy load, THEN you should worry about cooling solution, otherwise, don't even bother. I am, at this moment, at an armoire that sounds close to yours, stock cooling (the ti4200 fan is old and locking up, runs at 1/4 the speed it should) that has no problems with heat what-so-ever. The only thing is the case on this is pretty generic, and allows ALOT of dust in, needing to be sprayed out twice each month just to keep it operational under load. But yea, it has less than an inch on either side, and hardly any fresh air from the rear, no problems with over heating.