Fong Kai (FK-320) cases and fan shrouds

[JJ650]

The FK-320 has a fan shround to help direct airflow over the cpu fans better. Tonight I found it to be more of a hinderance.
Earlier this evening I replaced a CPU fan with a quiter, better performing fan than what was previously on it. In order to do that you have to remove a fan shroud that covers the cpu and fan. I turned the puter back on when I finished and went into the bios and looked at the hardware monitoring. The temp was a good 10 degrees cooler than what was previously achieved. Satisfied, I replaced the shround (yes with the puter still running...risky, I know).

When I looked at the monitor, I was kinda shocked to see the cpu temp climbing. It went from 101 to 118. Weird!
I also noticed the fan rpm's jump at least 400 rpm. Curoius, I removed the shroud. Within a couple of minutes, the temp lowered to it's original state pre-shroud. The fan rpm's dropped immediately.
I knew airflow was the issue. Place your hand near the blades (note to idiots: cpu fan...not the one on your living room ceiling) so as to restrict airflow. You can hear the rpm's climb. Well, this what was baisically happening with my shroud. In my situation, the shroud was actually restricing airflow.
I don't have a crazy heatsink fan combo on my Tbird. It is rather quite modest compared to monsters like the Alpha, GlobalWin and Hedgehog heat sinks. I would like to know if anyone else with a FK-320 experiences any temp changes with the shroud on or off.

Anyway, thought I'd share.

 

[clumsum]

I haven't tried mine w/the fan duct removed.
You might try reversing the rear case fan and then try it w/duct again?
Turn the darn thing off though, not worth the risk, that duct is kind of tricky to install/remove.
I'm curious when you write that you "replaced a CPU fan with a quieter, better performing fan than what was previously on it."
All my "better performing" cpu fans seem to be louder?

 

[JJ650]

The fan with the duct on it is an exhaust fan like the PS fan.
I know it seems odd but it works better without it on.

The fan was a Y.S. Tech fan that was replaced by a Delta fan.

 

[clumsum]

My F-K320 came w/the rear fan blowing in, onto the cpu.
This is my second 320 and they were both shipped w/rear fan blowing in.
Did you turn yours around so it would exhaust?
My 700 Athlon/FOP32-1 hsf runs very cool temps, so I just left it alone for now. I'm not oc'ing for the present, so maby that is why no heat issues?
I hope to test temps w/different fan directions and/or front case fans added, but just haven't found the time so far.

 

[JJ650]

Yes I reversed it so it would be an exhaust fan.

 

[derelict]

Who seems to be the best (price/customer service) vendor you guys are buying this case from? None of the vendors I'm used to dealing with carry this case.

 

[subhuman]

I always get them from directron.com

 

[JJ650]

Yup directron.com has the Fong Kai cases. www.directron.com

 

[dew042]

I have tried the shroud fan as both an exhaust fan and an intake fan. My CPU temp drops by about 5-8C IF it is an intake fan. just sharing my experience....

 

[JJ650]

I don't know why mine acts the way it does. Warmer with the shroud than without. I guess I just have a bizzare case. heh

I think I would rather keep 2 fans going as exhaust and the 3rd front left as an intake. more air being sucked out and helping to draw air in.

I dunno, mine is just weird.

 

[clumsum]

dew042,

Thanks for the info, I think that is the way this case was designed, rear fan blowing air in onto the cpu, can't see all of them being configured wrong.
I think most of the time, people just reverse the fan automaticaly, thinking that the rear fan has to be exhaust, plus I read that it's quieter that way. However, efficient cooling comes first, it can't make that much more noise...............................?
Probably better w/rear fan on exhaust, if not using duct, as JJ650 has indicated.

 

[subhuman]

JJ650 --

Did you put a 120x120mm fan in the front? That would "complete" your cooling solution. I suggest a Panaflo for a quiet, but efficient fan, also I alwasy change the stock fan in the shroud out for a Panaflo as well. Be sure your CPU fan is "pulling" air out and the duct is "pulling" as well - you don't want the 2 fans fighting each other.

It definitely helps temps by 5 degrees or more here with SHROUND ON.

 

[JJ650]

Well, I already have the largest fan possible in the front as an intake and the duct fan is an exhaust.
Still, I get better cooling without the shroud.
Who knows. Alien conspiracy to keep me from using the shroud maybe.

 

[dew042]

right...always blame the aliens...


aliens always get such a bad rep....

 

[Usul]

JJ650: the better solution i found is to put the fan bolwing out WITHOUT the shround, and put it with an intake fan in the front bottom.

 

[Gringo]

damn, good thing he corrected himself, i almost climbed onto a chair and ...er, nevermind.

k.

 

[JJ650]

"JJ650: the better solution i found is to put the fan bolwing out WITHOUT the shround, and put it with an intake fan in the front bottom."


It is like that now.