Cooling for Dell w/2.8C under very hot ambient conditions

[dakels]

Well I am getting a new dell 4600 rig with a 2.8C. I am getting some IOSS RD3XP 28" (have to get 28" for master/slave ports) rounded cables. I need to consider some other cooling measures likea nonstock CPU heatsink+fan. The studio that the computers are in gets extremely hot in the summertime. Some days can easily get to over 95-100 degrees ambient temps and the under the computer desk with 3 comps next to each other probably gets 5-10 degrees hotter. Pretty extreme. My macs handle it fine since they are very tolerant of high ambient temperatures but the high ghz PC's don't do so well. I've only used T-bred athlons in this heat and they didnt do that great with stock cooling and needed a small room fan blowing into the back to keep temps under control.

I know this 2.8C rig is going to get pretty hot. I was thinking of getting a Zalman CNPS7000-AICu fan and mount with AS3. Do you think this will be adequate or should I consider water cooling? Due to the high ambient temps I will not try to OC. I just want to run stock, safely under the worst case scenario (110 F ambient temps). Also would the Zalman fan help to cool the rest of the computer better then a water system? How noisy is the CNPS7000-AICu or other flower models? The dell also uses one of those big plastic air tunnel things "air shrouds" that pulls the air off the CPU right to an exhaust. I doubt the big Zalman fan will fight with that right? Will it matter much? I will most likely change the case though within a few months when I go for 2 SATA drives.

wost comes to worse, if need dictates, I will get a new Vapochill case as long as condensation looks like it can be kept under control.

 

[dakels]

I should also add that those fans will be running off my stock 250 watt PSU for now Does the Zalman fan take any more wattage then the stock intel fan?

 

[nolovenohope]

I don't know much about your enviroment you are working, and so on, but have you gave any thought into purchasing an AC window unit? For a few hundred dollars, if not less, I can see that being a very good solution.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: nolovenohope
I don't know much about your enviroment you are working, and so on, but have you gave any thought into purchasing an AC window unit? For a few hundred dollars, if not less, I can see that being a very good solution.

heh... I have (2) 15,000 BTU AC's... still doesn't do it. The space is a 3rd floor studio, around 1000 sq feet with 15' cielings. To compound it I have 5 large skylights facing both the morning and afternoon sun. Those are what kills me. From what a cooling guy told me, they add a 25,000-30,000 BTU load on hot sunny days. Its a great space with great air circulation and lighting but it's murderous to my PC's in 100 degree summer days. Even central air will have a hard time cooling this space unless I have a dedicated unit. Not something I'd spend on a rental. We (NYC area) rarely get a wave of 95+ degree days but last year it was pretty bad, 2 weeks of 100 degree+ with 80%+ humidity. This summer has been cold so far but I gotta plan my computer cooling for worst case scenario.

 

[Jhhnn]

One nice thing about the p4's is that they'll throttle back if they're running too hot...

Dells aren't really built for high ambients, more for temp controlled office spaces... I'd check the dimensions and power consumption ratings for the fan or fans, replace them with something maybe 50% more powerful. It would be easy to get carried away and overdo it, though- the box itself will only flow just so much air, so you'll arrive at the point of diminished returns quickly...

Have you considered installing reflective film on the skylights? It's remarkably effective, if you get the right stuff...

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
One nice thing about the p4's is that they'll throttle back if they're running too hot...

Dells aren't really built for high ambients, more for temp controlled office spaces... I'd check the dimensions and power consumption ratings for the fan or fans, replace them with something maybe 50% more powerful. It would be easy to get carried away and overdo it, though- the box itself will only flow just so much air, so you'll arrive at the point of diminished returns quickly...

Have you considered installing reflective film on the skylights? It's remarkably effective, if you get the right stuff...

Good call on the film on the skylights! I have been looking into that for a while now. I think I am leaning towards a UV coat with a slight 3-5% tint. It should make alot of difference in heat without choking the natural light too much.

I have a 4550 and have been all over the inside. Airflow is not that great but it's a hell of alot better then my HP 520c athlon 1600. That weathered last years 100 degree+ heat... kinda (had to use a room fan) But that was all stock junk too. I'm sure the zalmon fan and and AS3 alone should make a significant difference over whats stock.

ultimately this Dell 4600 will be transferred out of it's case and into something decent. I need more storage room and better cooling. I didnt plan on doing it this summer but I will if temperatures get out of hand. So far this weather has been non summerish but late july to august is the real pressure cooker.

 

[Jhhnn]

It's not just the UV you want to stop, the Infrared is really more of a problem for heat. The right film will also cut heating bills in the winter, too, although some of it ends up acting like a two-way mirror- reflecting on whichever side is brightest...

 

[dakels]

well, I ordered (2) 28" (20+8) IOSS RD3XP rounded ata cables, Zalman CNPS7000-AlCu (I read the AICu hybrid was better then the Cu), (2) Thermaltake Smart Fan II's, and a tube of AS3. Lets hope that Zalman beast fits into my case. I would think this should help the cooling alot. It will also work well in another case when I make the move.

Thanks for the info about the infrared and window/skylight tinting. I was looking at some silvery reflective type. I guess that deflects IR? I see alot of stuff that quote UVA UVB 99% protection bla bla but not much that says it deflects IR although it is well know the IR causes alot of the heat.

 

[Syborg1211]

If you could get an ac unit somewhere near the vacinity of your computers, it will help cool them even if the overall room temp isn't changed at all because that area will be a tad cooler...

 

[dakels]

Not a bad idea. No window near the computers but there is 220 line over there which I could plug a floor standing AC over there. The computers are lined up 1, 2, 3 right under my desk though. Be kinda hard to focus the air right at them unless I put a small AC under my desk. That would be annoying. I'm just going to have to see how well the rounded cables, AS3, Zalman 7000, and Smart fans II's, help to keep the machine from locking up. Last summer there was a wicked heat wave for 2-3 weeks of 100+ degree 80%+ humidity temps. My craptacular HP 520 (Athlon 1600) with stock cooling ran ok as long as I had a small room fan pushing into the intake. It was pretty hot at around 60-65ºC (Inaccurate software temp checker) but it ran. Without the fan the machine would lock up.

If it comes down to it, I'd rather spend the money on a Vapochill case ($600) then a floor standing AC. The Vapochill case would not only give me great cooling, but so much as to even possibly OC in those extreme ambient temps. I just worry about the condensation on those things. The new ones are supposed to be MUCH better in dealing with condensation. The case is much better but still not what I would prefer as it's kinda small (But more space then my dell case).

The other computers are downstairs in a fairly small room that any small AC can cool off with the door closed.