Since I don't use my CD drive ever, would placing a 120mm fan there help?

[KingstonU]

Hoping to bring my Q9550 to 3.6GHz and stay under 60'C. Currently at 3.2GHz and 54'C.

It bothers me that the location of direct air flow to my CPU, is where my never-used CD tray is located.

Side View (I think I'll move the video card down)

Front View with case off, you can see the CPU cooler though the hole

The S-Flex would fit in space if I remove the CD drive


So like it shows in the pictures, If I removed the CD tray, I could fit a 120mm S-Flex in there.


I'm not sure why the POLL doesn't seem to be appearing in the topic. But which configuration would work best of these 3 options:


1 S-Flex in the center fan slot, and 1 S-Flex where my CD drive is.

1 S-Flex in the center fan slot, and 1 S-Flex in the bottom fan slot.

1 S-Flex in the center fan slot, and 1 S-Flex on the side of the case.



Also should I lower my video card from the top PCIExpress slot to the lower one. Thus it will be further away fro my CPU and more air comming from the front intakes will go up instead of being blocked by the video card?

Thanks!

 

[error8]

I would just use the "normal" places for intake fans. I guess that is just enough fresh air coming through those two front 120mm fans, for the cpu. Put another one on the side and your Antec 300 becomes a cooling monster. 😉

 

[aigomorla]

take a CPU load temp with your side pannel on and off.

Do you see a big difference?

then yes a front fan will help.

If not a lot of difference you just added more noise to your computer.

 

[Zepper]

I'd use the two HDD cages for fans as intended. Use one or both as needed.

.bh.

 

[KingstonU]

Added 2 intake fans for $36, 1 front, 1 side. Load temps dropped by 3.5'C. Though these tests were taken later in the evening. So I wonder how much improvement is from the fan and how much is from ambient temperature drop.

Wish I had a digital thermometer to note the ambient temperature each time I benchmark to know weather the money was worth it or not.