Myth Exposed...Case Dampening and Cooling

[Bluefront]

I hear it frequently, on many different forums: "case dampening causes temperatures to rise". Don't believe it. As long as the dampening does not impede airflow, your temperatures will not be affected.

I recently finished dampening my new case project. Virtually every square inch of the inside walls of this case was dampened with 1/2" thick closed-cell foam. (Safety-mat stuff). The temperatures did not rise even one degree. Oh yeah...overall sound levels dropped.

FWIW....on this computer there's one exhaust port under the hard drives, and one intake on the top of the computer.

Myth Exposed

 

[boyRacer]

Nice wiring job. 🙂

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

The temperature rise issue comes up when using Dynamat to insulate the case walls. Much different that what you are using.

 

[Bluefront]

I've used Dynamat before with no temp issues. That foam I'm using insulates the walls of the case virtually the same as Dynamat. So please explain (the myth) how Dynamat raises temperatures, and this 1/2" closed cell foam barrier does not....

 

[cheapgoose]

i think most of us knows that already.

temp depends on airflow. heat is removed by the air not through the case panels.

 

[jarsoffart]

Theoretically, case dampening should and does raise case temperatures, just not significantly enough to matter. Some heat is radiated from the metal of the case (evidenced by the case being hot to the touch), but if you put foam there, it will insulate the case. There wasn't much heat being radiated by the case in the first place, so it doesn't matter too much. Why would we put foam in the walls if it didn't insulate?

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
i think most of us knows that already.

temp depends on airflow. heat is removed by the air not through the case panels.

Not always true. Alum cases are shown to be more effecient for cooling, just not enough that I would actually want to spend extra on one.

Btw, is that a slot 1 processor I see? :Q

I didnt think anyone used them anymore, except me 😛

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: DannyBoy

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
i think most of us knows that already.

temp depends on airflow. heat is removed by the air not through the case panels.

Not always true. Alum cases are shown to be more effecient for cooling, just not enough that I would actually want to spend extra on one.

Btw, is that a slot 1 processor I see? :Q

I didnt think anyone used them anymore, except me 😛

No, that is the rare and wonderous slot A!!!!!
😛

JK!

 

[Bluefront]

Heh....It's the rare Slot1, P3 733, Soyo 820 chipset, 512 Rambus. I tested this aluminum case for temps at various places (cpu, board, case, chipset, PSU, etc) before and after insulating the case. There was no measurable difference.

As far as the aluminum case cooling better than steel, that's a different story.