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Suggestions for modding my Sonata.

I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Well I've decided to add some case fans to my Sonata. I have the 2 120 mm fans installed, but the inlet flow is so restricted that it can't keep it cool when gaming.
Right now, I have one 5.25" and the 3.5" bays open, and I am leaving the door open. This has helped quite a bit, but is not the ideal setting.

I plan to put 2 80mm fans in the side door, near the bottom blowing in; and I'm considering one in the top blowing out (is this necessary?).
How does this sound? Any suggestions or improvements?
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Mine sits on the floor so it can't draw any air under there.
Click to expand...

Sitting your computer on the carpet floor isn't a good idea.
Resolve that first.

I always put my computer away from the floor.

-Frank
 
Originally posted by: wonho84
Sitting your computer on the carpet floor isn't a good idea.
Resolve that first.

I always put my computer away from the floor.

-Frank
Click to expand...
Never really thought about it, but I guess I could do that.


 
I opened up the intake slot on the bottom of the bezel near the air filter. Also, increased the opening size on the sides of the protrusion on the front bezel. Works fine.
 
Originally posted by: Nessism
I opened up the intake slot on the bottom of the bezel near the air filter. Also, increased the opening size on the sides of the protrusion on the front bezel. Works fine.
Click to expand...

Apparently this is what I need to do. I'll try this and check my temps. I may not need any more fans.
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Mine sits on the floor so it can't draw any air under there.
Click to expand...


oy.. i put a cd case under the front legs to give it some space when on carpet.

i guess you could get water cooling?
resorator?

80mm fans would ruin the whole point of the sonata
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Mine sits on the floor so it can't draw any air under there.
Click to expand...


oy.. i put a cd case under the front legs to give it some space when on carpet.

i guess you could get water cooling?
resorator?

80mm fans would ruin the whole point of the sonata
Click to expand...

I got it propped up about 2 inches off the carpet now.

Water cooling is way too expensive.

As for 80m fans, I thought abotu that. But I didn't buy the Sonata for the silence. I bought it because it comes with a very nice PSU, and I got it for $98 shipped. It was much more of a budget decision than anything else.
So in other words, keeping the noise level low is not my top priority. What I really want is more filtered air flow.
 
OK, so I pulled off the front bezel off to increse the openings. While it was off, I checked to see how much air flow increased. Very little, if any.

I can see a very noticable flow drop out the back when I cover my 3.5" drive bay opening, even with the bezel completely removed. As soon as I open up the 3.5" opening, flow out back increases significantly.

I don't see any way around adding extra case fans.
 
Yea, I looked at putting a single 120mm fan in with a fan controller. That would seem to be better.

So where exactly do you suggest installing the fan? The handle in the door prevents me from installing it to blow directly over the CPU.
I could put in right in the middle of the door, bottom left, or even bottom right so it would blow over the HD area.
 
I pulled off the door and two of the 5.25" bay covers, and taped over a filter (mobo packing material). The exhaust temp of the PSU is way down, and noise isn't that much higher. Most of the noise I hear is reflecting from the back of the case off the wall. Maybe I should put up a tapestry. 😛
 
That's what I'm doing right now except I have 1 5.25" bay open and the floppy area open. I put a filter in the floppy opening, but it basically cut off the flow.

I would like to be able to keep the door closed. I have a Beige burner in there and it looks funny, and the door really cuts the noise when my CD/DVD burners spin up.
 
get a piece of cardboard and use that as a test door. tape it to the side and see what position a fan works best.
 
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