Would creating new 120mm blowholes make a massive difference? Advice needed.

[Richdog]

!!!! PICS AND REVIEW !!!!


Hello people, i've just bought the X-Super Alien case and have decided to mod the side panel 80mm fan and the top exhaust 80mm fan to 120mm ones by cutting new blowholes. FOR PICS OF THE CASE AND FAN LAYOUT CONSULT LINKY ABOVE.

I'm getting myself a Dremel tommorrow so i'll have the tools for the job. So do you think modding those two 80mm holes into 120mm ones will make a massive or noticeable difference in temps?

If so I was also thinking of creating a second 120mm blowhole on top as there's more than enough space to do it, but was again wondering if it is worth doing.

And finally, would it be beneficial or detrimental to temps and airflow in my case if I was to cut a second 120mm intake on the side panel for blowing air directly onto the CPU and heatsink? I was thinking that if I did this it would allow me to use a fan less powerful than my SFII on my SK-7... as the 120mm fan would augment a weaker 80mm one.

I'd really appreciate some info and hints as i'll be doing it in the next couple of days and I want the lowdown on what I should and should'nt do.

Cheers!:beer:

EDIT - 120mm fans will be Antec blue LED fans rated at 80CFM @ 29dba.

 

[Tiamat]

Hello people, i've just bought the X-Super Alien case and have decided to mod the side panel 80mm fan and the top exhaust 80mm fan to 120mm ones by cutting new blowholes. ...

The 120mm Blow holes should have a direct affect on the airflow within your case. However, it would probably be within your best interest to point one of the fans inwards and the other outwards (like the top blow hole = exhaust since heat rises). If noise is an issue, I would get quieter fans, maybe panaflos and then a dual blue CCFL kit. I bought a supposed 30db 120mm fan for my case, and it has a very definative noise. Its really really hard to judge noise by db because some noise can be considered "white air noise" while other noise can be considered VERY annoying even though the 30db was maintained. Beyond that, I would recommend making sure your HDDs are still getting adequate airflow.

Hope this helps...

 

[Richdog]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Hello people, i've just bought the X-Super Alien case and have decided to mod the side panel 80mm fan and the top exhaust 80mm fan to 120mm ones by cutting new blowholes. ...

The 120mm Blow holes should have a direct affect on the airflow within your case. However, it would probably be within your best interest to point one of the fans inwards and the other outwards (like the top blow hole = exhaust since heat rises). If noise is an issue, I would get quieter fans, maybe panaflos and then a dual blue CCFL kit. I bought a supposed 30db 120mm fan for my case, and it has a very definative noise. Its really really hard to judge noise by db because some noise can be considered "white air noise" while other noise can be considered VERY annoying even though the 30db was maintained. Beyond that, I would recommend making sure your HDDs are still getting adequate airflow.

Hope this helps...

Cheers for the reply. Yep the top fan will naturally be an exhaust fan while the side will be intake. So do you think adding another 120mm intake blowing directly onto the CPU would help or hinder airflow? Would it be worth adding a second 120mm fan on the top as exhaust?

The case also has 2x 80mm intakes at the fronyt and two x 80mm at the back for those who didnt see the pics.

Basically, can anyone answer all my questions from my first post?:beer:

 

[Goatsan]

i think the 2nd 120 in the back might be a little much, but it cant hurt. also, you will notice a nice difference from 80 to 120mm fans. The 120 on the side will alter the airflow, and make your cpu temps cooler

 

[Richdog]

Originally posted by: Goatsan
i think the 2nd 120 in the back might be a little much, but it cant hurt. also, you will notice a nice difference from 80 to 120mm fans. The 120 on the side will alter the airflow, and make your cpu temps cooler

You mean the second one that will blow onto the CPU or the second one on the top?

lol this cooling forum is pretty quiet nowadays, I remember it used to be loads busier.

 

[0roo0roo]

heat may rise, but we're talking forced air movement here. more air in, more air out = better. as long as your fans aren't fighting each other, then all that matters is air in and air out. well until theres so much air going in and out that theres no improvement having fcoolest possible air gives cpu cooler max efficiency. but its not going to make your cpu cooler insanely great if its not to begin with. a slk cooler would out do your sk7.

that being said what your trying to do is probably rather pointless. that type of case is extremely well venitlated with its bevy of fans and ample space. so much air goes through to begin with that cpu cooler is the thing that should matter more then case fans. only real reason to do 120mm is for silence. low low rpm 120mm. its probably better to get a buncha uv led coolermaster fans that do 25db each...and have your case look nice and be quiet..while cooling quite well. and if you value silence like me, a fanspeed controller to hook them all up to. and a quiet psu, or quiet its fans using the controller too. i also have an 1800@2.4ghz , and its fine without drastic cooling. cept i have an slk cpu cooler, the narrow base helps air flow through fins more easily, esp at low rpm.