Front 120mm fan has no effect

[squelchy451]

Hi. I took temperatures of CPU GPU and ambient temp with the front 120mm fan on and off, and there are no changes. The case does need additional airflow, but the front 120mm fan is not doing the job.

I think that a duct from the 120mm front fan to the motherboard would direct more air towards where it's needed. However, I'm having trouble finding one.

Even eBay doesn't have some kind of flexible plastic tube 120mm in diameter. Can anyone help? I might make my own using some cardboard boxes.

 

[dmoney1980]

What case/fan are you using? Additional system info?

 

[RavenSEAL]

What case/fan are you using? Additional system info?

this

 

[MadScientist]

The Big Air Cooling Investigation
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1

You can skip to page 10 and read the conclusion.

 

[squelchy451]

Cooler Master Elite 343. I've used the fan included, some Scythe fans, a LED fan from Xigmatek.

 

[General Kenobi]

Do you keep that removable HDD cage in there? Because it looks like a... well, a blocker. If not, then you might want to upgrade the fan - it's a cheap and effective option.

 

[squelchy451]

The cage has been removed. I was thinking about getting some zip ties and moving the 120mm fan a bit closer to the motherboard. I'm also planning on zip tying a 120mm fan behind the 5.25" bays, just to keep the air cirulating.

 

[nitromullet]

Few more questions...

what kind of video card?
what temps are you seeing?
are you checking idle or load temps?

 

[WoodButcher]

What makes you think you need more airflow? is the CPU throttling or are you getting bluescreens?

 

[Zardnok]

The Big Air Cooling Investigation
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1

You can skip to page 10 and read the conclusion.

Thanks for the link! That was an interesting test and nice to know I am "doing it right" with 2 front intakes and 2 rear exhausts. The side fan results were the most interesting and something I will look for in my next case purchase.

As for the OP and moving fans inside the case, I do not recommend moving a front intake farther into the case, because when it is mounted in the front of the case, it is actively pulling cooler outside air into the case itself. If you move that fan inside the case, it will be circulating the already warm air. Now if you wanted to add a second fan inside the case blowing across the memory or chipset or whatever, by all means get froggy, but I would not remove an intake. You might look at replacing that fan with a higher airflow model.