CPU Shotgun Duct to Arctic Freezer Pro 7

[wicke038]

SPECS
Case: Antec 900
Mobo: ASUS P5Q Pro
CPU: Core 2 Duo e8400 (OC'ed to 3.6Ghz on 1.6Ghz FSB)
RAM: 4x2GB OCZ DDR-1066
GFX: XFX GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit
HDDs: 1x640GB Caviar Black, 1x750GB Caviar Black RAID0
PSU: RAIDMAX 730W Modular

COOLING
CPU: Arctic Freezer Pro 7
HDDs: 2x EVERCOOL HD-F117
GFX: MASSCOOL VF1-PLUS (49C idle, 88C 100%, can't recommend. Others have had better results.)
Mobo: 17x 10x10x14mm copper heatsinks w/Arctic Thermal Adhesive

All case fans on high.

The cores run at 41C stable idle (26C CPU). Running Prime 95 and putting the CPU under 100% load, the max is 48C Core 0, 44C Core 1 (41C CPU). To try to get some additional cooling, I'm going to mount an 80mm fan (producing 35CFM) on the two empty bottom 5.25 bays (DVD-RW up top). Thought about going with the Vantec 80mm that produces 84 cfm, but as 50+ dBA seems a little loud, so going to go with the CoolJag Silent 80mm (34CFM, 17.65dbA) I'm then going to run it using a Evercool AD-01 80mm Air Duct directly to the AF7, and using an 80 to 92mm adapter, engulf the fan and zip tie it to the adapter/duct. Basically going to shotgun cool air from outside the case directly to the CPU.

Will keep updated on results.

 

[treefrog07]

Use a 120mm fan (with duct if you choose) and not the 80mm fan - more air volume and less noise. It looks like your case is begging for you to route and hide those cables to get them out of the air flow.

 

[wicke038]

The 120mm fan won't fit in the 2x5.25 fan bays... the height is only 81mm.

As far as cabling, perhaps a 2D picture clearly doesn't do justice. Cable management is taken to an extreme in this case. 27 zip ties and the minimum amount of cabling necessary provides for near the maximum amount of airflow possible. Most of the cabling is tied down to the right side of the case between the motherboard and the drive bays.