Some airflow questions, case layout

[Bateluer]

This is what my current case layout looks like. Two 140mm intakes on the front, 1 exhaust on the rear, which is actually the radiator for a Corsair H60 closed loop cooler.

I know the manual for the H60 recommends not using the radiator as an exhaust, but it was the simplest way to set it up in my case. With the summer heat in full force now, I've been setting the AC at 84F, which puts it closer to 86F in my computer room. I'd rather not pay 200 dollar electric bills. As the 290X is an open air cooler, all its heat is dumped inside the case. I think there might be a better way to lay this out.

There is an unused 140mm fan, which was the original exhaust, removed to make room for the H60's radiator. Getting an air cooler for the CPU, say an Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, and restoring that 140mm exhaust. This way, all the hot air for the entire setup isn't going across the radiator intended to cool the CPU. That particular cooler is less than 30 dollars, so its not exactly expensive.

Alternatively, I could flip the radiator's fan around, to make it an intake on the rear of the case. Then use the mounts on the top of the case to affix the unused 140mm fan as an exhaust. This solution would cost me nothing other than some time, and let me keep the fairly effective Corsair H60 cooler.

Would either make a difference, you think? Currently, the idles on the i5 4670 are in the mid to upper 30C range and the idles on the 290X are mid-40sC. During the hottest parts of the day. I'd have to monitor the CPU temps more closely, but the 290X can easily get into the 90C range under heavy loads.

 

[dma0991]

Assuming that you're not using the Core i5 4670K and have not done any overclocking to CPU or GPU; I don't think you'll have to do anything about it except monitoring the GPU temps under heavy load. If the GPU is reaching 90C with that ambient temps, moving case fans around won't do much to help. I don't think it'll overheat but if it does, just be more mindful of how long you're stressing it and the time (night time might be cooler) that you're stressing it.

 

[billyb0b]

you could make the e1 fan into an intake for the radiator and add fans to the top mount to exhaust air

the differences in setup and temp would be negligible

 

[Bateluer]

Assuming that you're not using the Core i5 4670K and have not done any overclocking to CPU or GPU; I don't think you'll have to do anything about it except monitoring the GPU temps under heavy load. If the GPU is reaching 90C with that ambient temps, moving case fans around won't do much to help. I don't think it'll overheat but if it does, just be more mindful of how long you're stressing it and the time (night time might be cooler) that you're stressing it.

Its the non-K 4670, and nope, no overclocking.

The 290X has a factory overclock though.

 

[dma0991]

Its the non-K 4670, and nope, no overclocking.

The 290X has a factory overclock though.

Then it shouldn't be a problem if you're monitoring and moderate usage. Crashes are unlikely if its at stock and thermal throttling should kick in before anything bad happens. If the GPU does throttle under such conditions, try reducing its factory overclock to stock reference specs temporarily for lower temps.

You might also want to consider methods of reducing the ambient temps in your room by means of exhausting the air with a fan or similar methods that does not consume as much power as an AC.

 

[Bateluer]

Then it shouldn't be a problem if you're monitoring and moderate usage. Crashes are unlikely if its at stock and thermal throttling should kick in before anything bad happens. If the GPU does throttle under such conditions, try reducing its factory overclock to stock reference specs temporarily for lower temps.

I already do that, from 1050Mhz to 1000Mhz. When the whether cools down, I may restore the original clocks. Haven't experienced any crashes from heat.

You might also want to consider methods of reducing the ambient temps in your room by means of exhausting the air with a fan or similar methods that does not consume as much power as an AC.

I could turn the thermostat down, I just don't want to pay for it. I doubt putting a fan in the doorway to computer room to push air out would have any discernible effect.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I already do that, from 1050Mhz to 1000Mhz. When the whether cools down, I may restore the original clocks. Haven't experienced any crashes from heat.



I could turn the thermostat down, I just don't want to pay for it. I doubt putting a fan in the doorway to computer room to push air out would have any discernible effect.

Well, buddy -- I'm in So-Cal and Riverside county. It is sweltering here today: I went out for groceries. In four stores on today's itinerary, all of the store employees were smiling happily along in swift service to customers, while the customers were all sweaty and appearing stressed out. I guessed it might be better working overtime inside than play outside all day. The clerk said -- "No, I'd rather be home," but he kept on smiling.

I've kept a tracking system alive for monthly energy bills for the last five years, and when I take readings of the meter outside, I can forecast the end-of-month billing to within a few dollars -- sometimes three weeks in advance. By the time the bill arrives, I know how much it's going to be, and there's no stress.

But I can't set the thermostat for a target much over 78F, or there will be fights in da household.

 

[dma0991]

I doubt putting a fan in the doorway to computer room to push air out would have any discernible effect.

Oh yes it does. I've experienced it first hand from an experiment driven by the insane heat my PC is causing. The concept of negative and positive pressure for PC cases extends beyond the limits of a PC case. Imagine your room is equivalent to a PC case but only bigger.

Having done a negative pressure method to my then small room, my room was noticeably cooler than without it as the exchange of outside air with my room air was more frequent, provided that the volume of air exchanged is constrained by closing the room door. It won't be cooler than an AC but it definitely does less damage to the electricity bill.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

what's the 4670 running temps under typical loads now?

 

[Topweasel]

I find that in my case having it as an exhaust works great. But that's because there is an insane amount of air circulation going on an ambient temps inside the case are comparable to outside.

Problem with Negative pressure setups is dust. It settles in more, it makes air routing in cases a mess. If you don't monitor the dust levels on your hardware you will probably have to replace fans more frequently. You really can't filter the dust either. Sure you can get most of it by filtering the fans bring air in. But in Negative pressure air comes in from every opening (instead of being forced out every opening) and you really can't setup filters for that.