Help bring my temps down - Lian Li PC 2100

[Mr Bob]

I have a Lian Li PC 2100 case, with the basic 120mm fans, and the exhaust blower fan that came with the case.

Here's an overview of the case's heat specs: http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/produc...ex=137&cl_index=1&sc_index=38&ss_index=95&g=t

I'm usually running 8-12 hard drives in the system, 4 are 74gb raptors that normally run a little hotter than others (these are placed at the top since they produce the most heat).

A couple minutes after I turn on the computer from a cold start, my HDD temps are around 33 C. 5-10 minutes later, they are up to 41 C. Then during normal conditions, they reach up to 53 C

I'm thinking that it may be wise to replace the 120mm fan that blows air from the front of the case (left of the hard drives) to the rear of the case.

Anyone have any other suggestions of what to do to lower these temps?

My Q6600/motherboard/ram is around 33 C, both videos cards (6600GT & 8600GTS) run around 67 C.

Here's a pic of the HDD area, followed by an overview of the entire case's setup:

Full case view from the side (left side is the front).

 

[wiretap]

Drill new holes in the bottom of the case and mount the hard drive racks so it creates a little more space between them. After that, put some 120mm fans between them.

 

[Mr Bob]

Drill new holes in the bottom of the case and mount the hard drive racks so it creates a little more space between them. After that, put some 120mm fans between them.

- Ah thanks, that sounds easy. Anyone else?

 

[nyker96]

mod the side panel and put a huge 200mm over the HD area.

 

[WoodButcher]

Aren't those fan mounts at the rear, above the PSU?

Use them.

Get 2 quality 80mm fans and downvolt them if they are to noisy. those rear fans will create / finish the flow that front 120 is meant for.

 

[Mr Bob]

Do you have any suggestions on some 80mm fans?

 

[WoodButcher]

I've used The yate loon 80mm and was happy with tthe noise / cfm. If you don't have a fan controller I'd suggest a splitter to a single rheostat like this or this one that will control 2 fans.

I haven't tried many 80mm fans that I've been happy with, The silenx were ok but not worth the price, this AC might be worth a look, the noise blockers are another that piques my interest and maybe the noctuas if you can stomach pink and brown. I've heard their airflow sucks. Whatever fan you choose I would get the highest rpm model available and then use a control to slow it down to a level easy on the ears. cutting out the mesh grill in the fan openings will also reduce the noise.

Wiretaps suggestion is a good one but you still need to remove the hot air, I'm thinking if you were to close off extraneous venting on the top, sides and bottom of that chamber it may help to create the wind tunnel effect you need. Try it with blue painters tape to see if it works, Tape around the wire openings and any place else you can find that isn't a fan opening. The space between the frame and side panel can be closed with a foam weatherstrip. If this solves your heat issues find something more pleasing to the eye than blue tape and you're set.

 

[Mr Bob]

I'm running the Hardcano 13 as a fan controller for the front and upper rear fans. The CPU fan is not controlled by this.

I have some kind of weatherstrip already on the inside edges of the panels (thanks Lian Li), but there are a couple other areas I may be able to get at.

Do you think it's a good idea to close the bottom vents? I think that's only one of the few ways cool air can get in the case. Since the front has a door, there isn't much else I can do to bring in cool air.

That's a good idea about closing up the top part of the HDD bay, is weatherstripping good for this, or should I look for something else? I actually have some foam laying around that I may be able to use..

 

[WoodButcher]

I have some kind of weatherstrip already on the inside edges of the panels (thanks Lian Li), but there are a couple other areas I may be able to get at.

Do you think it's a good idea to close the bottom vents? I think that's only one of the few ways cool air can get in the case. Since the front has a door, there isn't much else I can do to bring in cool air.

You might be best with them open, same with the holes through the two compartments. Use painters tape to experiment. Does the door have any venting?

Weatherstriping, foam rubber with double sided tape, the clear plastic used to package retail (you know, the stuff they package a sheetrock knife in that you need a sheetrock knife to open?🙄) all are useful in modding the interior. Look around your house, raw material abounds. For wire pasthrough I use rubber roofing, very similar to the rubber of an inner tube. An old mousepad perhaps?

 

[Mr Bob]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. I increased the RPMs on my fan and noticed that the Seagate drive is starting to get a little warmer, but the raptors are around 43-48 C under normal loads.