Side Vents

[ahughes]

Long time lurker, first time poster! I always find tons of info here.

I have the following case (AMS Case) with a low 120mm Yate Loon intake and a medium 120mm Yate Loon exhaust. The case has a couple of side vents - what should I be doing with these? Should I add an intake fan on the side (sounds like it could negatively affect my airflow)? Should I block them off to prevent dust from entering (would this also make it quieter?)?
I have a Q6600 and a Xigmatek 1283 (so I don't have the duct attached nor much room for a fan right on top) - I would like the computer to be quieter but don't want my temperatures to skyrocket.
I know you guys know your stuff. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A

 

[error8]

I'd mount a side fan on the lower vent, right near the videocard. If you have a Xigmatek heatsink there is no real benefit to add a fan on the upper side vent. But on the other vent, a fan would surely lower your videcards temperatures.

 

[Tim]

Might as well leave them alone. Or you coulld just close them off, it will be more quiet. If you are not having heat issues now, then you wouldn't need to add any fans.

If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Zepper]

If right now the vents are just open with no active elements, then blocking them off might well both reduce noise and yield better cooling. If the temps go up, you may have to add a bit more fan on the front or venting near the lower front. It looks like the rear fan grill is very restrictive. If the front fan grill is anything like that, then cut them both out. For examples of proper fan cutouts, check the rear panels of any of the Kublai series of cases. You can find cutting templates on many of the better fan sites.

.bh.

 

[ahughes]

Thanks guys for your ideas. I'll try blocking them and see how my temps compare to see if it's worth the sound improvement. That'll also help me make the determination if I need to cut out the fan grilles (would probably help airflow and acoustics). I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Zepper
If right now the vents are just open with no active elements, then blocking them off might well both reduce noise and yield better cooling. If the temps go up, you may have to add a bit more fan on the front or venting near the lower front. It looks like the rear fan grill is very restrictive. If the front fan grill is anything like that, then cut them both out. For examples of proper fan cutouts, check the rear panels of any of the Kublai series of cases. You can find cutting templates on many of the better fan sites.

.bh.

I can't ever imagine how on earth could blocking your holes on the case will improve cooling.

 

[SolMiester]

to create better airflow, blocking the side vents may help, instead of air being dragged through the vents, it is dragged from the front

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: SolMiester
to create better airflow, blocking the side vents may help, instead of air being dragged through the vents, it is dragged from the front

Ok, I have a similar case, with two side vents just like OP has. I also have a thermalright ultra 90 cooler, mounted to exhaust air at the top of the case, mostly through the PSU. The upper side vent is exactly near the cooler.

So, I've run Orthos to load my cpu and with the side vent uncovered I registered 63 C after 10 minutes of stress. I've let the cpu "rest" and redone the test, but with the side covered with a sheet of paper. It measured 65 C.

So, yeah, you might be right and cool air could be sucked from the front of the case, but that would keep the hard drive cooler ( if it's mounted there ) but the cpu would surely be hotter then with the side vent uncovered.

 

[Zepper]

It short circuits the air pathways. Air comes in thru the side and right out the rear fan or air comes in thru the front and goes out the side - neither having done much in carrying any heat away. In my book, cooling efficiency means carrying the most heat away in the least amount of time, so someone would have to provide evidence that having uncontrolled side venting contributes to the goal. I've never seen any. And it's the same idea with any uncontrolled venting in a case. Controlled means having fans and/or louvers on all vents.
. With any new case I get, I immediately block off all uncontrolled vents and work from there.

.bh.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: SolMiester
to create better airflow, blocking the side vents may help, instead of air being dragged through the vents, it is dragged from the front

I also have a thermalright ultra 90 cooler, mounted to exhaust air at the top of the case, mostly through the PSU.

*cough*

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: zagood

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: SolMiester
to create better airflow, blocking the side vents may help, instead of air being dragged through the vents, it is dragged from the front

I also have a thermalright ultra 90 cooler, mounted to exhaust air at the top of the case, mostly through the PSU.

*cough*

What? There is nothing I can do, since I don't have a back vent hole on my case, being one of the cheapest ever made.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: error8
What? There is nothing I can do, since I don't have a back vent hole on my case, being one of the cheapest ever made.

Say it ain't so! What case?

-z

 

[Zepper]

Ducting air from a side vent directly to the intake side of your CPU cooler may help at least the CPU, but then the air from the vent is controlled instead of being just a random factor.

.bh.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: zagood

Originally posted by: error8
What? There is nothing I can do, since I don't have a back vent hole on my case, being one of the cheapest ever made.

Say it ain't so! What case?

-z

It doesn't have a name. It's just the cheapest I could buy some 4 years ago. I always thought about replacing it with a better one, but buying cpus and videocards were more of a priority then a simple case. So...I still have it after all those years . But, I've added some fans on it, removed the front bays and I have quite a good air circulation and overclocking works like a charm.

You'll laugh with tears if I post a picture with it, modified as it is. But it works and that's all that matters. :laugh: