CPU Fan Setup in Super-Lanboy

[Spike]

As you may have seen in other posts here, I am using an Antec Super-Lanboy case which I love. The one thing that was a little wierd about the case was it's size, it is definitly smaller than my old cases. After isntalling my system I realized that my old cpu fan setup may not be ideal for this new case, so let me explain...

I use a Alpha PAL8045 heat sink, thats the old monster with the copper insert and the aluminum fins. On top of this I have an Antec tri-LED fan (which I might replace with one of my new panaflo M1A, even though it will not look as cool).

Anyway, I currently have the fan blowing air away from the heatsink, not into it as I was told (by many) that this was the best setup for that heatsink and the case I had before. Now with the lanboy I have the 120mm intake in the front, the 120mm exhaust right next to my heatsink, and the 80mm exhaust (PSU) RIGHT above my heatsink (like less than an inch above).

Would it be better to turn the fan around and have it blowing air into the heatsink or out of? If I have failed in creating a clear idea of my situation, I apologize. I will take some pictures and upload them tonight when I am back home. Let me know what you guys think

-spike

 

[Tiamat]

I see what you are talking about. I have that case and things can get cramped very quickly.

I thought all alphas like air being sucked outta the sink? In anycase, I found that when I lowered the speed of the front fan, my temps went down. Probably due to less turbulence. In fact, I have the front fan at 5V - which is enough to cool the HDD.

In any case, whether or not you have your fan pushing or pulling air will be the difference of 2-8 degrees celcius, but not the difference between life and death. You probably can afford to take some informal temperature measurements to see what is best. If your setup allows, you might even be able to duct your alpha directly to the 120mm fan in the back and get away with not using a fan.

Of course, if you have a hot GPU, forget about that idea.

Although this would aid in dust collecting in your parts and case, removing the middle 5.25" bay cover brings in a good amount of cool air into your system. The exhaust 120mm is strong enough, even at 7V, to pull air through this bay cover.

Good luck!

 

[Spike]

I had heard the same thing, which is why I have always had the fan pulling out of the sink, not blowing into it. I could do some temp measurements but lazyness took hold so I figured I would ask first I will probably not build a duct as it will eliminate my two exhaust fans so my case air will become stagnate (the duct would block the PSU exhause as it is right above my CPU).

Lowering the front fan speed helps that much? that seems really strange, I thought that the intake was the most important as it brought in cool air...

I can't remove any of the 5.25"... they are all being used and they are behind the door. Plus I like to keep as much dust out of my system as possible, though I am thinking this is a lost cause. I am putting one of my new panaflos on the exhaust part of the case and another probably on the CPU to replace my current fan. (Is there a way to easily mod a 120mm fan on the 80mm mounting of my PAL8045?)

With those in place and a variable front fan, you are thinking higher voltage on the rears and lower in the front? I can also adjust my PSU rear fan, so that is a fourth voltage to consider...

-spike

 

[Tiamat]

heeh, i forgot about the door. I removed mine... err... violently

If i were in your shoes, i would try this first: CPU fan sucking off the hs (if that is what the design calls for), rear exhaust at full, front at full.

Then decrease front to 9V see what temps do.


There was an article that tested "how many fans do you REALLY need" somewhere. Basically the best was 1 rear fan on a chieftec dragon style case with all the other fans removed. It was assumed that all the other fans caused too much air turbulence within the case and if you left that single rear fan the freedom to suck fresh air from all of those intake holes, there would be much less turbulence and more efficient cooling.

This however, leaves your HDDs to bake at a not so comfortable temperature, so thats why i usually lower the intake fan.

I tried an experiement one time:
12V rear 12V front = control
12V rear 9V front = -1C
12V rear 7V front = -2C
12V rear 5V front = -4C
12V rear 0V front = +C due to raptor getting hot
...

right now im basically at 5V rear, 5V front but with evercool 120mm alum at rear.
If i increase the evercool to 12V (ear plugs required) temps drop 6-7C. Anything with front fan above 5V when exhaust is left at 5V increases temperatures (except HDD).

To maximize the cooling ability of this case I had to do some modifications:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/jonomega/HDD_sm.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/j...ssembled_bright_sm.jpg

Edit: Sorry for not so nice picture quality. That was my first time using a camera and I didnt really know how to use it since it wasnt mine

 

[Spike]

Thanks for that. I have decided to stick the panaflo on my rear port and get the enermax for the front (mainly because the evercool won't fit on the front using the included rubber mounts). I am going to try a series of experiments with the fan speeds, including my CPU. I am going to put back on my YS-Tech 80mm (SUPER loud but moves alot of air) because I can change the speeds now. It will be in "suck" mode as before. I am going to keep my psu fan down to medium as that things is freakish at anything above.

I am also going to add some LEDs to the case somehow as well as add a blowhole eventuall (no fan, just a grill for heat escape)

-spike