Side fan has to come off, what to do ?

[crashmeister]

When I install a big heatsink, the side fan on the case bumps into it.

Options:
1. Remove fan and cover hole.
2. Remove fan and leave hole open (with grille).
3. Remove fan, cover hole, make new hole and install fan (lots of work).
4. Install fan on the outside of the case (use long screws and put the grill outside on top of the fan).

Case is a Tsunami Dream: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133132

What's the consensus ?

Thanks,
Craig.

 

[dallasjoh]

Option # 4

 

[Onus]

Option 5. Get another heatsink that will fit.

Failing that, option 2. Make sure your front and rear fans are running at a decent speed to move air through the case.

 

[chunkymonster]

What proc and heatsink?

If you mean a big heatsink like the Zalman 9700, the I would say that you could get rid of the side fan altogether as a quality made large sized heatsink would work well without it.

As a second option, installing the fan on the outside may not be the prettiest set-up but at least then the fan would be functional. But, you would not have to use long screws, just thread the fan screws from the inside of the case out.

 

[orangegator]

If I were you, I'd go with 2. Remove fan and leave hole open (with grille). No real need for the side fan, especially a dinky 90mm one. The case has a front 120mm intake and rear 120mm exhaust fan which should give you decent air flow. The side fan mainly is meant to work with the stock HSF. Since you are using a big (I assume good) after market cooler, the side fan really isn't needed.

 

[dirtmountain]

I'd put the fan on the outside most likely, fast and easy with little impact on cooling. Another option that's more work would be make the hole bigger and install something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185020 which might look better.

 

[ainarssems]

Put it outside. Thats what I have done with top fan in my case. Tagan 900W PSU was too big getiing in the way of fan. So i put it from outside. used 8 screws 4 from inside of case to saten fan and another 4 for attaching grill to fan.

 

[rojito]

I suggest option 2 and do some testing to make sure you're satisfied with the temps. If not, you could try with the fan on the outside but I doubt i would decrease your CPU/System temps by more than 2 degrees.

 

[kad]

4. Install fan on the outside of the case

That's it

 

[crashmeister]

Wow, quite a few responses Thanks guys.

Here is what I think I'll try.

1. Remove fan and leave grille.
2. Monitor temps for +- 15 minutes.
3. Install fan on outside.
4. Monitor temps for 15 minutes.

If the side fan makes a significant difference, I'll leave it on, else off she comes.

Heatsink is a XIGMATEK HDT-S1283. CPU is a Q9450 @ 3.2GHz (I hope).

Craig.

 

[1971Rhino]

1. Print out these instructions
2. Delete this thread
3. Purchase a tri-color LED fan.
4. Mount tri-color LED fan on outside of case
5. Take photos
6. Post them as a case mod
7. Await Accolades!

 

[TheDraac]

I've got an idea for you, I did a quick check at newegg for fans and found this possibility. How about a slightly smaller fan???

As an average, 90mm fans push 30-40 CFM at 26-34 dBA and are 25mm thick.
A few of the 80mm fans are only 15mm thick and have similar specs. As a reference, the following fan pushes 28.5 CFM at <26 dBA.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119041

It's just an idea, if it were me, I would probably go that route.

 

[psymanproductions]

option 2

 

[kad]

Wow, quite a few responses Thanks guys.

Here is what I think I'll try.

1. Remove fan and leave grille.
2. Monitor temps for +- 15 minutes.
3. Install fan on outside.
4. Monitor temps for 15 minutes.

If the side fan makes a significant difference, I'll leave it on, else off she comes.

Heatsink is a XIGMATEK HDT-S1283. CPU is a Q9450 @ 3.2GHz (I hope).

Craig.

Here's what to do
1- Remove fan
2- Start PC
3- Run Real Temp
4- Run Prime95
6- Have a look after 1 hour at real temp (Max. temp)if under 60 forget the fan it is not required

 

[iluvgillgill]

just remove the fan but cover it with grill.but you will need nuts and bolt to secure it as the screw is plainly rely on the thread on the fan.so if there is no fan then the screw wouldnt stick.

also the side fan wouldnt effect the cooling of the CPU sometime max 2C difference.but what will vary alot is the memory module and the mobo.the side fan provide airflow to the mobo.if remove its just solely rely on the airflow inside the case(no direct airflow).

 

[Shadow703793]

Option 2 or 4.

 

[coldneutron]

option 2. after testing on 2 of my systems, i found that the side fan made no measurable difference in the case or cpu temp.

 

[goodie]

definately option 2, i've got same case & problem, i removed fan & replaced grill, temps dropped 5 degrees alone on my northbridge, probably because the filter on the fan kept getting blocked.
you'll find having an opening with nothing blocking it (fan) is great airflow on its own