Here's my thread from last spring:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2370973&highlight=gentle+typhoon
And here's WGusler's thread about the H80, 4790K and Corsair C70 case:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2408847&highlight=c70
I may never have asked WGusler outright if he'd read other posts or threads in which I asserted that a pressurized case could help either ducted heatpipe or water-cooling. WGusler proved it in his project, after installing an Aquaero 5 fan-controller and his custom thermal-sensor applications throughout his project. At one point, he pulled the case side-panel leaving the case unpressurized, and temperatures increased.
I felt like he gave me a high-five in a PM he sent.
My own project's thread has both photos and diagrams throughout. The rubber "collar" I'd mentioned prompting further requests began as a "U-shaped" construction with both foam-board and Spire-rubber cut-out components. I added the fourth side of the donut as an afterthought.
For those who may be using components that lend themselves to the possibility, the ThermalRight "rubber-duck-tie" also provides some nominal acoustic muffling, costs about $8 and could save some trouble. On this point, its flexibility and accordion design must address the problem that all motherboards place the CPU socket in slightly different places in relation to ATX dimensions and reference points; and it must address the additional problem that all cases may have a slightly different orientation or position for the case exhaust fan.
Here's the ThermalRight duct:
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/th12fandubl.html
For myself, I acquired three HAF 922's from an early intuition that large fans, lower noise and higher intake airflow would work for me. The dust problem is fairly mitigated by thermal fan control and filtering options that don't restrict airflow.
WGusler's project proves that large fans are not necessary for small cases, which are easier to pressurize with a modicum of 120 or 140mm fans with sufficient airflow.
The rubber fan mounts come in all sizes, lengths, colors and materials. Here's a handful of the generic mounts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/400770235146?lpid=82&chn=ps
Look at CoolerGuys, FrozenCPU, Sidewinder Computers and other resellers for a variety of types, sizes -- prices.
The box of Spire acoustic pads would seem like enough material to completely cover the insides of any case -- possibly more than one, but I WARN AGAINST using the material this way. If you want to remove it, the adhesive is quite strong and your time will be ill-spent when you might have avoided sticking up your case-interior. Instead, careful and strategic application of the material is advised.
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556014003.html
If you want to put rubber acoustic panels on significant areas (like sidepanels) of the case, cut some foam-art-board pieces with a few glue points for use with something like Pit-Crew automotive adhesive, and cut panels of Spire to the same size and shape for application to the art-board.
Art-board is cheap. You can get "Elmer's" brand at Target. Michaels Arts & Crafts has it in various colors. My last purchase of $25 went for a large, three-panel "exhibition display" of foam-board with black-paper backing. I think that purchase has provided me enough art-board for several years of application projects -- I still have some large panels in storage.
Black is a good color for certain cases, like my HAFs. You can use art-board to block off unused fan vents. You can use a hole-punch so that you can secure the board with nylon screws and nuts -- available at any electronics-jobber-warehouse or store. I've occasionally used nylon-wire-ties for the same purpose.
NIT-PICKY REFINEMENTS
I have no audio testing devices, or haven't configured any. You'll notice the somewhat anal refinement with the cork and popsicle sticks with Spire rubber on the cork. On the intake side of any fan, you CANNOT apply any Spire or anything else on the hub: the fan will likely be unbalanced and I can only speculate about dire consequences. Thus, the popsicle sticks hold the noise-deadening material at 1/4" forward the rotating fan-hub.
But on the other side of fans, you can apply foam-rubber circles one on top of the other with abandon. I call it the "Bozo's Nose" option. I even stuck a "nose" in the center of the 120mm exhaust fan vent of my case -- covering the exhaust side of the fan hub. You can decide whether such things provide acoustic improvement. I convinced myself -- somewhat. But there's really no harm in it, either. So? You have a 2-inch rubber protrusion on the back of your case -- nobody will see it or care. One of my 200mm intake fans on one system is the NZXT 166 CFM-rated model, and I THOUGHT it had a mild motor noise at its 1,300 RPM top-end. So I stuck a four-ply nose on the fixed exhaust-side part of the hub.
I "fancied" that it really helped. That fan doesn't have any sound output that's noticeable at any speed. . . .
Facebook
Twitter