Window Fan

[Amart]

I read on one of the threads here that one way to see the impact of airflow on temperatures is to open the case and direct a small table fan at the motherboard. I did just that to test my OC limits and the temp results made me consider this as a more permanent solution.

The fan was found at a local CVS store's seasonal appliance shelf:
Duracraft - Window Safe 9" Box Fan (DB-102) - $10

It looks like this but dark grey:
http://www.deskfans.com/DB101.asp

From what I read so far the energy use for such fans is around 25W/hr. Considering the rest of the system that's not bad. This particular model is relatively quiet too if left on low, and tolerable low pitch steady sound on high.

With the fan on low, the NB temps are ~37c idle and ~57c peak load with 9x340FSB (2:2). Previously the same FSB would overheat and these temps were at 9x266. That was the main limiting factor in my setup, as the CPU runs about 10c cooler with its Thermalright Ultra 120. Overall every temperature reading has gone down significantly, with even the GPU getting some benefit.

I'm considering making an opening in the side panel and hanging that fan on the side as intake, blowing air on the MB and all the components. This will probably affect efficiency, since now exhaust air won't be able to escape back around the fan and will be forced to other openings in the case. May make things better, or worse.

What do you think? ^_^

 

[Rockinacoustic]

I think you could compensate the power consumption by selling your newfound abundance of these 😉

 

[mpilchfamily]

Cutting a hole in the side of the case and mounting a nice 120mm fan so that is sits right over the CPU would be just as effective and the energy cost would be less. But if you don't have a Dremel or Hole saw then i guess it isn't going to work for you.

 

[Amart]

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
I think you could compensate the power consumption by selling your newfound abundance of these 😉

Haha, unfortunately that wouldn't be worth it due the lack of dust in my place, the air here is relatively clean. If that was a concern a filter would be easy to install between the fan and the case opening. The power consumption relative to CFM seems quite efficient.

Cutting a hole in the side of the case and mounting a nice 120mm fan so that is sits right over the CPU would be just as effective and the energy cost would be less. But if you don't have a Dremel or Hole saw then i guess it isn't going to work for you.

A 120mm fan delivering as much CFM to cool the NB and SB hiding behind the CPU and GPU heatsinks on my motherboard may not exist within an acceptable price range. Placing several fans directed at the components may not be as effective and will require much more work (likely a total re-install with motherboard and CPU HS removal and additional work into attaching and suspending fans at the right locations).

There is another path - ducting - which may be as effective. However it will take significant time to plan and create, and may be complicated in the limited space in my case (Centurion 5).

I can probably remove the CPU Fan since with so much airflow the passive Ultra 120 will be just as effective.

The only real downside I see is that the case won't be pretty with a 9" fan attached and without the typical window and circus lights.