SFF (Small Form Factor) case airflow help

[o]

I have some questions about airflow and cooling for drives and GPU's in SFF / Small Form Factor cases like these:

Case 1:
This pic shows where the HDD is positioned below the PSU, with the PSU fan drawing air around it (not sure about adequate cooling for the GPU locations either):
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/83-256-341-10.jpg
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/83-256-341-09.jpg
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/83-256-341-08.jpg

Case 2:
This one has the GPU slot located ridiculously close to the side/bottom of the case:
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/83-256-273-13.jpg
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/83-256-273-12.jpg


Am wondering about best hdd placement: The hdd mount position under the PSU seems to be better for cooling (rather than in the front of the case under the optical drive). There seems to be more space for better _balanced_ airflow above and below if the drive is installed "upside down" (with the circuitboard side facing the PSU). But I was wondering if there could be any danger of interference, errors or damage from the magnetics of the PSU transformer (or fan being so close) over time, with the drive mounted that way (instead of having its metal top facing the PSU at least).

Also trying to find a simple (non-tacky but low cost) solution for a Sapphire 5450 which seems to overheat from lack of airflow: The card/slot is at the far edge of the case/motherboard away from the CPU fan airflow, and case space is too limited to fit an antec Cool Spot.

Im not sure what would be the best type/level of filtration that could be put on the front vents for these PC's: without risk of overheating or strain to the fans that could cause them to fail sooner...


Any ideas? Thanks

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I have some questions about airflow and cooling for drives and GPU's in SFF / Small Form Factor cases like this: http://www.leightoncomputers.com/images/hp_compaq_dc5750.jpg

Am wondering about best hdd placement: The hdd mount position under the PSU seems to be better for cooling (rather than in the front of the case under the optical drive). There seems to be more space for better _balanced_ airflow above and below if the drive is installed "upside down" (with the circuitboard side facing the PSU). But I was wondering if there could be any danger of interference, errors or damage from the magnetics of the PSU transformer over time, with the drive mounted that way (instead of having its metal top facing the PSU).

Also trying to find a simple (non-tacky but low cost) solution for a Sapphire 5450 which seems to overheat from lack of airflow: The card/slot is at the far edge of the case/motherboard away from the CPU fan airflow, and case space is too limited to fit an antec Cool Spot.

Any ideas? thanks

The "Leighton Computer" link is broken. I'd want to see a picture, name and model-code for the case, and then I can offer some observations.

 

[Stuka87]

Link is working for me, its an HP.

So are you building a computer using this case, or is this a computer you have and just want to make better?

 

[piasabird]

Well I have no clue what the inside of the case looks like or how large it is. If you had a ruler in front of the case there would be some perspective. Both DVD drives and Hard Drives can heat up the inside of a case. If you add a video card it is like little pizza oven. Don't see any ventilation on top. If the vents are on the sides, don't block them off by putting a computer in a video cabinet with no airflow.

 

[o]

Thanks for the replies, Ive updated with better links, and another question.

They are complete PCs, except for HDDs and GPUs being added (fanless 5450's, later a 7750 to the first case).

Had not considered the heat generated by DVD, but figured that placing a HDD below it would not be the best choice (maybe an SSD though sometime?). Adding a slot to cook pizzas while the PC is overheating is an interesing idea though...

 

[Valantar]

We run HPs in those cases at my work, they're not exactly cool, but don't have heat issues either. They're used as POS units, running at least 16h/day, stuffed into a cramped shelf barely taller than the case, with no real exhausts. I cracked a couple open last year - they had been running fine for ages with about 1cm of dust covering everything inside. Unless you're using them very heavily, I wouldn't worry - they have decent airflow for their size.

You should, however, consider that the main air source for graphics cards at least for the top case is the CPU cooler exhaust - i.e. not the coolest air.

The Radeon 5450 has a TDP of less than 20W, so I wouldn't worry about that as long as there is _some_ air moving past it. The 7750 with its 55W TDP is another matter entirely - unless it has a blower fan or you exchange the stock fan for something that really moves some air, I'd advise against it.

 

[o]

Thanks, Im still wondering about these things and want to do everything I can...

The 5450 was found to be overheating badly in the one case mentioned above, so I definately need to find a solution for that: it seems too far out of the airflow from the cpu fan...

Anyone else have any ideas based on the updated info?