Dust. I hate dust. 3 Questions about filters & cases

[Axonn]

Hello everybody ::- ).

I'm doing my homework for buying a new computer soon. I was thinking at CoolerMaster's HAF-X for the case. I got a Lian Li PC-101 but that's going to keep its components, move on to my girlfriend.

What I love about my Lian Li is the dust filter. It has only 1, but its proven enough to keep me from cleaning this case for FOUR YEARS. The filter looks *something* like this:

http://megapchardware.com/zencart/images/Lianli PTAF122Bremovablewashable dust filter mount kit.jpg

Ignore the metal. Look inside. At that material.

Now... I didn't see anything similar with HAF-X, although reviewers said it has a couple of dust filters BUT they didn't show them. Also... reviewers say that there are places where there aren't any dust filters.

QUESTION 1: Do you have a HAF-X? Care to upload some pics with the filters?

QUESTION 2: Can I buy dust filters and attach them to any cooler using a contraption similar to the one I've shown you above?

QUESTION 3: Do you have a case with ON-TOP COOLING like HAF-X? Doesn't a lot of dust get in through there?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Ill suggest Silverstone FT02. Probably one of the best cases for dust management (Keeping dust out, cleaning/maintenance, removable/washable filters)

 

[HeXen]

or just clean it frequently with compressed air

 

[BonzaiDuck]

QUESTION 1: Do you have a HAF-X? Care to upload some pics with the filters?

QUESTION 2: Can I buy dust filters and attach them to any cooler using a contraption similar to the one I've shown you above?

QUESTION 3: Do you have a case with ON-TOP COOLING like HAF-X? Doesn't a lot of dust get in through there?

All the HAFs are pretty similar in concept and design, although the top-end models offer a few extra ( . . and desireable) features.

I have a high-end case, and the case I modded extensively in 2007 was a 1994 Compaq ProLiant Server modded into what I consider "high-end."

You might miss some of the frills, or design your own, but a lot of this is easy DIY stuff unless you want to spend lots of ducats.

First, check Home Depot for your typical blue or green fiberglass AC air-filters -- about 18" x 24" -- something like that. They have a cardboard edge and can cost about $0.75 each -- as much as $1.50 or $2.00. You only need to buy a few. Get some scissors and cut them to fit where you want to put them.

I'll leave the particulars for "retention frames" and other details to you, but even the simplest solutions can be neat and tidy.

Sorry, I have no PICs of my HAFs at the moment. But take a look at Cases and Cooling for my advice about a HAF 912.

That answers #1 and #2.

YEs -- dust is more likely to enter at the top of the case (HAF). I am methodical in my cooling practice -- seeking to pressurize my cases and channel the air to a single exhaust at the case-rear. I use the 200/240mm (whatever) top fan for the right sidepanel as intake, and duct the exhaust channels so that all air must flow from surface of motherboard or through CPU cooler. I block the top vent holes because it serves my purposes that way. I use black foam art-board, cut to shape and installed with black nylon 6-32 screws and nuts to secure the art-board.

For the side-panel (and I'd need to look at the HAF-X some more, because it may vary from my HAF 922) -- I cut a grommet from foam art-board for the fan. This will muffle the noise and plug additional holes in the sidepanel that aren't part of the fan's intake/exhaust area.

Foam artboard (various colors but black is great and can be enamel painted if you need ) is cheap. Michael's arts and crafts has it. Target has it. K-Mart probably has it. it comes in panels of various sizes -- most common is about 2' x 3' less than $5 each if I remember.

PS for filters from Home Depot, Lowe's or wherever -- don't get those white matted AC "vent" filters that are about 6" x 10". They are too restrictive for your airflow. The larger fiberglass material is looser, admits more air and still traps the dirt. You can put them on the patio and hose off the dirt, or you can stick a vacuum cleaner nozzle at the intake side (even when computer is running) and still suck a lot of the cruft away for "quick cleaning."

Also, just looked at the HAF X. You have three large fans there. You may want to use some of these ideas to make them all intake fans (reversing their orientation where needed -- likely at the top.) If an exhaust becomes an intake, you can still filter it with the mentioned materials in a very neat way.

 

[Axonn]

Cookie Monster: thanks. Unfortunately, I can find only ST 03 around here (Stockholm) and I don't want micro ATX. I need a big one.

System_Mechanic: even if I had access to compressed air, which I don't, I wouldn't use it on my computer.

BonzaiDuck: thank you for the wealth of information! I have a few questions though:

1. Which one am I looking for?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1920&bih=1146

2. Ok, so if they got a cardboard edge, am I to cut them and... somehow glue them to the fan's frame? Or just mount them between the fan's frame and the chassis? Or make holes in them and put the screws through? What is your suggested approach?

3. Is there a possibility that HAF-X will not "support" DYI stuff? Like, for example, very little spare space between the fan's frame and the chassis: it could happen in the front area, before the hard disk bays, that's always pretty tight.

4. What if I make it so air blows OUT THROUGH THE TOP, that could push dust away?

5. What if I cover the top vents with a sort of "roof", so that air gets out only laterally while all the dust will settle on that "roof". I could make a roof from Lego parts *laugh*.

 

[Blitz1776]

Any decent case that comes with an air filter should suit your needs. Reason I state this is because a Case with a dust filter implies that it is a "positive" pressure air flow case verse a "negative" pressure airflow. What this means is that dust should only come through the intake(s) with the dust filters over them for the most part. A negative pressure airflow case on the hand allows dust through any hole or intake. An easy way to tell if your case is positive or negative is whether or not you have more air coming into the case (creates a positive flow) or if you have more exhaust leaving the case (negative).

Do be sure to keep in mind if you add any fans (video cards, etc) that the intake must remain greater otherwise your dust filter will do no good.

One other quick note is although not as good for performance, make sure your psu either intakes air from the case or if it's a bottom mounted (better thermals usually since it intakes air from outside the case), it has a filter on the bottom.

As a good example of a positive airflow case with those characteristics I use a Lian-li PC-7FN.
Intake: 140mm Fan with filter on front
Exhaust: 120mm rear Fan
Bottom Mounted PSU with filter

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Cookie Monster: thanks. Unfortunately, I can find only ST 03 around here (Stockholm) and I don't want micro ATX. I need a big one.

System_Mechanic: even if I had access to compressed air, which I don't, I wouldn't use it on my computer.

BonzaiDuck: thank you for the wealth of information! I have a few questions though:

1. Which one am I looking for?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1920&bih=1146

2. Ok, so if they got a cardboard edge, am I to cut them and... somehow glue them to the fan's frame? Or just mount them between the fan's frame and the chassis? Or make holes in them and put the screws through? What is your suggested approach?

3. Is there a possibility that HAF-X will not "support" DYI stuff? Like, for example, very little spare space between the fan's frame and the chassis: it could happen in the front area, before the hard disk bays, that's always pretty tight.

4. What if I make it so air blows OUT THROUGH THE TOP, that could push dust away?

5. What if I cover the top vents with a sort of "roof", so that air gets out only laterally while all the dust will settle on that "roof". I could make a roof from Lego parts *laugh*.

On the Google search, I see at least three candidates on that page. All you want is the matted fiberglass!! You'll cut that. It will fray. If you want to address the fraying, get a tube of Silcone adhesive sealant from the auto-parts store, lay down some newspapers, and and after you cut your filter to shape and fit, put a bead of the silcone rubber around the edge. It's probably worth the time, if you can use it over and over and wash it with a garden hose.

The rest is a minor problem I didn't want to address in detail. All sorts of approaches. If you cut foam board to make a noise-deadening grommet for the fan, cut two pieces the same size and sandwich the filter. Or simply sandwich the filter between the grommet and the side-panel. Only problem with that, you have to remove the fan to remove the filter. But -- Geez! -- you can clean these things just by sticking a vacuum-cleaner nozzle against the intake side.

To question #3: "DIY" means you come up with your own clever approaches. The HAF line is -- as I said -- a case design of great potential.

#4: You COULD make the top an exhaust fan. I just think it's better to concentrate all exhaust air through an exhaust that channels through a CPU heatsink cooler or as few directed outputs as possible.. One reason to pressurize the case, and someone else explained the other reason: pressurization also means that dust only enters through the fan ports and filters.

#5: I block off unneeded vents with black foam board. Just cut pieces to fit from the inside of the case, poke holes with a punch or screwdriver through the foam-board for some screws; check your electronics warehouse store for some nylon screws and nuts -- they can come in the color black -- and use those to secure the foam-board.

What you describe is "possible." I see your point. You're still going to admit dust even if you have a "roof" on the top vent. Use your imagination. You could probably do that sort of thing with some nylon spacers used with the screws and nuts I've described.

 

[Compddd]

The Silverstone FT02 is a full size ATX case that keeps most dust out with it's positive pressure design. I use one myself and it's great.

 

[Axonn]

Compddd: Yes, but as I said, I can't find the FT02 here, only FT03.

Blitz1776: positive pressure it shall be!

BonzaiDuck: Clever / inventive, I can be: the problem is the EXECUTION ::- D. I'm not very skilled with my hands, if you know what I mean ::- D. I'm not a complete fail, I mean, I already "modded" my own Lian Li PC101 by removing the filter from the front area and putting it in the back. The front gets little dust because the door of the case is always closed. It was a very good move I did because almost all the dust gets stuck there. Even if I had no way to mount the filter, I improvised: I just put the screws through the tiny holes in the filter, haahaha. It's very inconvenient when I screw/unscrew it - have to be careful because the screws sometimes hook the filter and twist it around them, but hey, after a bit of trying, it always works ::- D.

But working with silicone seems risky to me because I could order the wrong type/use it the wrong way or I don't know, smudge my case or mess something up. Perhaps I could find some videos online and learn more about customizing stuff. I didn't do a lot of DYI but I am willing to learn / adapt, of course. If you got some resources, feel free to share. Mind if I contact you in about 3 months with some questions about parts to buy? ::- D. Right now, I realized that I will need to go to the stores and take some pictures / get some specs / stuff like that.

Ah, one more thing: if I ask for screws, what size do I ask for? Because I didn't see in my case's technical specs anything about the size (diameter) of various screwing holes. They're supposed to be standard but I never saw sizes anywhere.

 

[Axon]

Why you bitin' my name brah???

 

[Axonn]

*laugh* I got this nickname since 2000 ::- D. It's become more than a nickname. It's actually become my name, I'm Axonn Echysttas, nice to meet you ::- D.