Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (
More info?)
I would say the case is fine - it is only part of the cooling system.
A PC is a critical path of cooling components, where the resulting
cooling is subject to the weakest link (component) along that path.
Air is drawn in at the front-lower-bottom:
o So cooling HDs directly if situated there
o HD Temp can be verified by S.M.A.R.T. temp reporting utilities
Air is then pulled up into the main body of the case:
o So providing Case-Ambient air temperature
---- a mix of CPU-Cooler & GPU-Cooler exhausted air & intake air
o Case-Ambient air temperature is used by the CPU/GPU coolers
---- the higher this air temperature relative to the chips
---- the lower the resulting Delta-T, and so cooling capability
o Case-Ambient temps can be found from motherboard monitoring
---- MBM 5 & motherboard utilities typically report "case-temp"
Air is then exhausted rear-top out of the case:
o By the exhaust fan(s) & PSU fan
---- ideally the PSU fan should cool just the PSU re lowest noise
---- leaving the case fans to actually do the case air exhausting
o So reducing the GPU & CPU recirculation of their own heated air
---- in turn allowing them to be quieter &/or cooler better
So...
o Your hard-drive temperature should be <45oC ideally
---- refer to makers specs, typically 50oC, 55oC
---- a margin below that is ideal, baseline with a HD test utility
o Your case temperature should be < 40oC
---- a margin below that is required for some low noise solutions
---- Intel CPU-coolers at intake < 32oC = low speed (noise)
---- Intel CPU-coolers at intake > 38oC = high speed (noise)
o A case struggling to keep temps down is > 40oC
---- this can be verified directly by temperature measurement
---- alternatively removing the side of a case & noting temps
-------- case temps fall = insufficient air changes per hour
o Your CPU temperatures should be within spec + a margin
---- for Prescott type CPUs typically 67-70oC (see Intel website)
---- high CPU temps & case-temps below 40oC need care
-------- CPU-cooler may be overly recirculating its own air
------------ ensure no cables obstruct the cooler's airflow path
------------ fit an exhaust fan behind the CPU cooler
-------- CPU-cooler may be insufficient or marginal
------------ verify case temp in this instance re OEM solution
------------ there are better CPU coolers out there (eg, SLK)
o Your case grills present a high airflow resistance
---- fans provide airflow, grills provide resistance to airflow
-------- punched case grills provide 45-55% airflow
-------- round-wire grills provide 89-91% airflow
---- cases exhaust through a large c/sectional area
-------- cases often intake through a tiny c/sectional area
-------- a 3"x1" cutout in a plastic fascia == 1/2x 80mm fan
The case noted offers better airflow & lower resistance
than most, so I would verify other areas first.
Baseline the System re temperature:
o HD temp re S.M.A.R.T. reporting -- is it in spec/acceptable
---- use a HD test utility to provide load condition
o Case temp re M/B reporting -- is it < 40oC & < 32oC
---- if you use an Intel temp controlled solution, quiet needs < 32oC
---- again use a PC test utility to provide a load condition
o CPU temp re M/B reporting -- is it < Thermal Design Limit (67-70oC)
---- again use a PC test utility to provide a load condition
---- consider an exhaust fan to get heated air away from the CPU-cooler
---- consider ducting or a different CPU cooler
---- consider changing case grills to round-wire from punched-metal
You do not need a PC that sounds like a jet engine - even P4EE
o Change 1 variable at a time - prove cause & effect.
o Establish a baseline under load and prioritise from there.
When you build a PC, you are the System Integrator.
Just takes a little care.
--
Dorothy Bradbury
www.dorothybradbury.co.uk for quiet Panaflo fans
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