- Jun 30, 2004
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I suppose this seems like a slightly nutty idea, but I've done it before. I'm sure many -- AigoMorla, for instance -- have seen those "AeroCool" 120mm x 25mm fans with the fan frame/shroud built out of a solid aluminum block. Instead of mounting one inside a smallish ATX case, I chose to mount it outside -- bolting it to the exterior at the exhaust-fan mounting holes. Since it was metal, it really didn't seem so "hinky" exposed on the exterior of the rear case panel.
I always have this Rube-Goldberg impulse when I'm building something. Right now, I have this 120mm x38mm Sanyo-San-Ace fan I was considering as an exhaust fan alternative for a casual DIY computer building project. Ordinarily, a Noctua IPPC 3000 120mm x 25mm fan would be more than enough, and this latter option is just as likely to be my final choice.
The problem with the San-Ace is its 38mm width, and like the Bob Dylan "highway 61" song says, "it can [still] be very easily done". That is, mounting to the case exterior is a whole new ballgame for the case interior space prospects.
Of course, it will be noisier. But that's OK -- some Spire foam rubber and foam art-board, neatly increasing the fan's dimensions to 140mm -- and a few other "tricks" with the same materials -- can cancel some dBA's. I'd need to add one of those 120mm chrome fan guards with the concentric rings.
It's just extra trouble though. I can't make up my mind. The IPPC fan will push over 100 CFM as it is.
It's a trivial issue, but any casual comments will have my attention.
I always have this Rube-Goldberg impulse when I'm building something. Right now, I have this 120mm x38mm Sanyo-San-Ace fan I was considering as an exhaust fan alternative for a casual DIY computer building project. Ordinarily, a Noctua IPPC 3000 120mm x 25mm fan would be more than enough, and this latter option is just as likely to be my final choice.
The problem with the San-Ace is its 38mm width, and like the Bob Dylan "highway 61" song says, "it can [still] be very easily done". That is, mounting to the case exterior is a whole new ballgame for the case interior space prospects.
Of course, it will be noisier. But that's OK -- some Spire foam rubber and foam art-board, neatly increasing the fan's dimensions to 140mm -- and a few other "tricks" with the same materials -- can cancel some dBA's. I'd need to add one of those 120mm chrome fan guards with the concentric rings.
It's just extra trouble though. I can't make up my mind. The IPPC fan will push over 100 CFM as it is.
It's a trivial issue, but any casual comments will have my attention.