Upgrading from an Antec Sonata, need better cooling/airflow

[Paktu]

My ambient temps in my Sonata have been pushing 60C under load recently and so I think it's time to get a better case. What brand of case or specific case will offer better airflow and cooling? The case must have at least 4 internal hard drive bays, and 6 or more would be ideal.

 

[smthmlk]

check out the lian li's with 120mm's up front... i believe it's the older pc-7 series?

 

[Shadowknight]

Sonata II. Alternatively, cut out the front and rear grill and modify the bezel like some people did over at SPCR.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Antec P180.

 

[WobbleWobble]

If you are feeling adventurous, try modding the Sonata as Shadowknight has said.

What's your budget? If you want cheaper, look at the Antec SLK3000B. Got a more? Antec P180.

 

[McPudd]

 

[Varun]

I have the Sonata, and I'm just wondering how you are getting 60C ambient temperatures in it? Right now I have these readings:

Motherboard 32C
CPU 44C (fan running at 2%)
GPU 53C (6600GT Passive)
Hard Drive 29C.

I have the original Antec fan blowing out the back, and another 120mm fan at the front, both on the FAN ONLY connectors. I know the Sonata isn't the best for airflow but your temperatures seem really high. Is your filter plugged?

I like the P180 if you are serious about replacing the case, just make sure your power supply cables are long enough.

 

[McPudd]

oops.
This forum handles replys differently ... keep forgetting.
Take a look at the Antec P180.
I plan to get one and mount an extra 120mm TriCool fan to the upper chamber's front intake and set it to MEDIUM speed.
The supplied 2 120mm TriCool fans in the top and upper back I'll set to LOW.
The BFG GeForce 7800 GTX OC 256MB PCIe I plan to use in the upper chamber also draws air out of the case.
In the lower chamber I will have an Antec TP-II 550 ATX12V v2.0 550 Watt PSU w/120mm fan pushing air out of the case.
Also, in the lower chamber I'll have my 2 HDDs.
The 120mm Tri Cool fan (I'll set it to LOW) in the lower chamber is situated between the PSU and HDDs so outside air
is pulled in and over the HDDs to cool them, then pushed at the PSU to cool its outer casing and also into the PSU.
There are 2 HDD cages that will hold up to 6 HDDs.

Happy trailz,