What is the effect of leaving off side panels on cooling?
- Thread starter Medellon
- Start date
It destroys the airfow set up by the fans (front-back), but I've never had any problems with mine. I don't OC though... and that's probably where it's an issue.
CubicZirconia
Diamond Member
- Nov 24, 2001
- 5,193
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If the cooling system present in the case wasn't any good, taking off the sides will definately help. However, taking of the sides of a case that is properly cooled is unnecessary, the fans should take care of everything.
That case should be good for cooling, I would check your fan setup.
When I take my side panel off my cpu alone jumps from 37ºC to 40-41ºC
And my cpu fan blows into the heatsink so go figure.
With the 2 exhaust fans you have you should be able to easily get a good airflow.
Make sure they aren't getting choked by not having intake.
When I take my side panel off my cpu alone jumps from 37ºC to 40-41ºC
And my cpu fan blows into the heatsink so go figure.
With the 2 exhaust fans you have you should be able to easily get a good airflow.
Make sure they aren't getting choked by not having intake.
I don't have any case fans except the power supply fan so I guess in my situation having the sides off is a good thing. Any recommendations for a good overclocking case that is less than $100?
Also, the case is usually your only shield for emf radiation - bad for you :frown:, so another reason to leave it on
>What is the effect of leaving off side panels on cooling?
In 99.999% of the cases in use out there, the temperature will drop drastically. The holes for entry are too small to get much air through. The air circulation is completely random and haphazard and stagnates in spots. There is nothing about a case that would direct cool air where it is needed. Even with the side off there will be a halo of hot air recirculating through the CPU heatsink's fan.
The optimum cooling is no case. You can direct a fan at the mobo to blow the heat away.
The main function of an enclosure is to keep junk, people and creatures out. Since computers kick out a lot of radio and TV frequency interference, the FCC has requirements on the case that reduce it. Custom cases of course do not have to comply unless they are sold with the computer innards.
In 99.999% of the cases in use out there, the temperature will drop drastically. The holes for entry are too small to get much air through. The air circulation is completely random and haphazard and stagnates in spots. There is nothing about a case that would direct cool air where it is needed. Even with the side off there will be a halo of hot air recirculating through the CPU heatsink's fan.
The optimum cooling is no case. You can direct a fan at the mobo to blow the heat away.
The main function of an enclosure is to keep junk, people and creatures out. Since computers kick out a lot of radio and TV frequency interference, the FCC has requirements on the case that reduce it. Custom cases of course do not have to comply unless they are sold with the computer innards.
Right... thats why when I take my side panels off my temps rise at least 3-4ºC ...I have tinkered with my airflow, and while it is random, it is not stagnate in the areas that need airflow. I can prove it with lots of smoke and a case window. Maybe mine is the .001% you were referring to...
And a huge reason to have a case is to cut down component noise.
CubicZirconia
Diamond Member
- Nov 24, 2001
- 5,193
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I think you have grossly overestimated that figure. My case is currently at 21 degrees celsius, which is ~1-2 degrees over room temp. Taking off the sides of my case doesn't lower the temp at all. I can only assume there are plenty of people out there in similar situations (certainly more than .001% of all case owners).
Btw, I own a Lian-Li pc-65 (modded with a 120mm blowhole)
>Right... thats why when I take my side panels off my temps rise at least 3-4ºC
My case is cooler than yours. The side is off. It is room temperature. To get the air aound the CPU cooler, I blast it with a 120mm fan. Big slow fan = quiet.
>...I have tinkered with my airflow, ...
That's what you need to do if you are going to get the cool air where it needs to be, not buy a pretty aluminum case with 4 fans.
>I think you have grossly overestimated that figure.
Consider that virtually every person who owns a personal computer bought it from someplace like Best Buy, and was completely unconcerned with what the temperature was inside. They are designed to operate properly at elevated temperatures rather than to keep the inside cool.
My case is cooler than yours. The side is off. It is room temperature. To get the air aound the CPU cooler, I blast it with a 120mm fan. Big slow fan = quiet.
>...I have tinkered with my airflow, ...
That's what you need to do if you are going to get the cool air where it needs to be, not buy a pretty aluminum case with 4 fans.
>I think you have grossly overestimated that figure.
Consider that virtually every person who owns a personal computer bought it from someplace like Best Buy, and was completely unconcerned with what the temperature was inside. They are designed to operate properly at elevated temperatures rather than to keep the inside cool.
Fallen Kell
Diamond Member
- Oct 9, 1999
- 6,212
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hehe...don't worry about the radiation. Its partly (mostly) market hype. Yes there is "some" radiation. Yes, it could be damaging. But guess what guys, we are exposed to much more powerful radiation just being in the sun then a desktop computer will ever push out on you.
It is mostly hype to get you to buy a new case. Why you ask? Because people routinly buy new computer components, but only buy a new case every few years. I myself have used the same case for the last 6 years, but have completely rebuilt the computer 2 times, with several upgrades as well. The only thing other then the case that I have not replaced at least once is the floppy, cause they almost never die (don't get used enough).
So, the marketing guys wanted to give a "reason" that you "need" to get a new case "now". They said, "Hey. Computers emit some low level radiation. People are afraid of radiation from all the news, etc., on how bad it is. We can start to advertise about that radiation to "inform" them that there is a problem with the cases they have. New we tell them we have a solution, a new case that is "specially designed" to "reduce" the radiation. All we had to do is slightly change the metal we are using and we can say that it "protects" them from the radiation. Lets do it!". What they don't tell you is that it might only reduce the radiation levels by only a few % or they don't tell you that you are routinely exposed to more radiation then what the computer will put out. Kind of like the "ThighMaster" commercial where the "doctor" explaining how good a workout it is, is actually an eye doctor and never specialized in muscle control in his medical training.
It is mostly hype to get you to buy a new case. Why you ask? Because people routinly buy new computer components, but only buy a new case every few years. I myself have used the same case for the last 6 years, but have completely rebuilt the computer 2 times, with several upgrades as well. The only thing other then the case that I have not replaced at least once is the floppy, cause they almost never die (don't get used enough).
So, the marketing guys wanted to give a "reason" that you "need" to get a new case "now". They said, "Hey. Computers emit some low level radiation. People are afraid of radiation from all the news, etc., on how bad it is. We can start to advertise about that radiation to "inform" them that there is a problem with the cases they have. New we tell them we have a solution, a new case that is "specially designed" to "reduce" the radiation. All we had to do is slightly change the metal we are using and we can say that it "protects" them from the radiation. Lets do it!". What they don't tell you is that it might only reduce the radiation levels by only a few % or they don't tell you that you are routinely exposed to more radiation then what the computer will put out. Kind of like the "ThighMaster" commercial where the "doctor" explaining how good a workout it is, is actually an eye doctor and never specialized in muscle control in his medical training.
lol, true the amount of radiation is insignificant compared to other sources, but then again, computers haven't been around that long - just think of how much we use computers nowadays compared to say 10 yrs ago, i.e. there are still studies in the process of determining whatever long-term effects there may be. Well until there are more conclusive results, I wouldn't mind taking precautions. I personally don't think taking off the case for only a few degrees of cooling is worth the dust and noise factor anyways. *shrug*
If I get a new case, it will be for functionality.. screwless and front usb ports would be a plus. Don't care for aluminum since I don't need to move it around a lot.
If I get a new case, it will be for functionality.. screwless and front usb ports would be a plus. Don't care for aluminum since I don't need to move it around a lot.
radiation from a computer is so negligible. everything radiates and that is no big deal. heck, i have a nuclear chemistry lab this quarter and even runnning the nuclear reactor and using high emitting sources still does not surpass my annual dosage limits.
Heh, when im going for low temps on my older case with bad airlfow design, I simply take off both sides and point my house fan at it, not sure what it is in MM but its about the same size as the case, that keeps it AT room temperature no questions asked 
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