Fan Filters Questions and Recommendations

[mastervodo]

Hello everyone. I just finished painting my new HAF 932 Case, and am working on the final touches. I'm getting a 120mm fan for the bottom for an intake, and a red cold cathode to light it up inside.

This is the case so far:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5540_124798568915_519788915_3026920_6955216_n.jpg



My question is, I have three 230mm fans, a 140mm fan on the back, plus the new 120mm that I'm putting in. I need to get fan filters, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what to get. It would be great if I could get them red somehow.

Also, I have at least three 5.25 drive bays that are going to sit empty. On the HAF 932, the grills up front are mesh, so it might be night to get a large fan that might say, fit in 3 of those empty bays with a fan filter as well.

Thanks for your comments! Also, if you have any other case mod suggestions for this guy, please let me know, or show pictures!

 

[Kraynor]

Ok... can't help with your filter question, but just wanted to commend on the sweet paint job.

Just one thing though... from here it looks like your CPU fan is going to blow air down towards your graphics card... that would be bad... should be blasting towards that rear exhaust.

 

[ausch30]

http://www.jab-tech.com/Anodized-fan-filter-120mm-Red-pr-2472.html

It really depends how much you want to spend. Most people suggest either stretching panty hose over the fan or Swiffer dry pads to catch the dustbut if you want a more custom look then you're going to have to spend some money. The problem is it's hard to find filters for some of your larger fans.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=case+fan+filters&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&fp=ADrf44LAAa8

 

[evongugg]

Another idea:

1) Go to Wal-Mart ( or any other place that would sell window air conditioner air filters), and get 1/4" thick air conditioner air filter.
2) Cut air filter material to size needed. (I'd recommend cutting extras out so you have them ready when they need to be replaced.)
3) Unhook one side of 120mm front fan from drive cage, place air filter between drive cage and fan, snap fan back onto drive cage.
4) Replace filters as necessary.

 

[leo2kp]

If the CPU fan is sucking air through the heatsink, that will be less efficient than if it were blowing air through it. So, put the fan on the bottom of the heatsink and blow the air upwards and you'll get better temps.

 

[mastervodo]

Thanks for the input - I didn't realize it, but I did have the fan set up so it's blowing air through the heatsink down to the video card. I thought I had it blowing up towards the top exhaust. I'm putting in my new PSU and doing cable management tonight, so I can get that fixed. Thanks for the astute observations.

 

[mastervodo]

OK.. I found some 1/4 inch air conditioner foam. Here are pictures of what I have done with the case: Also, I have some pictures of my completed cable management.

Left Side Panel 230mm fan with fan filter. (This is looking from the inside)

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5540_127043663915_519788915_3068983_4454565_n.jpg

Front Grill taken out and filter put in.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5540_127043638915_519788915_3068978_4946045_n.jpg

I have four empty (currently) 5.25 bays with grills.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5540_127043618915_519788915_3068974_250292_n.jpg



Now some cable management pictures:

Side panel fan connector.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5540_127043658915_519788915_3068982_6037523_n.jpg

Closeup back panel cable management. A little crowded, but everything is organized and tied down tight.

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5540_127043628915_519788915_3068976_7289640_n.jpg

Full view of back cable management.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5540_127043643915_519788915_3068979_4282090_n.jpg

Full view of front. I don't have the best camera and lighting. But, I think the main area looks pretty clean.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5540_127043633915_519788915_3068977_1104082_n.jpg



OK... so I have some more questions.


Those fan filters should keep out a lot of dust, and I'm only putting them on the intake fans. Are they going to block the airflow into the case?

Second, I got myself a fan controller/temperature monitor deal for one of my 5.25 bays. I have 1 temperature probe by the CPU under the heatsink. (1) I have 1 in between my 2 260's. (2) I have 1 between the bottom 260 and the power supply. (3) and I have one hovering over my hard drive. (4)

My question is: The temperature probe things came with little plastic tubes over the ends. I took those off. Should I have kept those on? That may be a dumb question.

I've been running my computer (mainly internet - nothing really stressful on the system - maybe a few movies or something) for about 8 hours now. My temps are currently (according to the probe card)

1) 35.5 C / 95.5 F
2) 43.2 C / 109.6 F
3) 26.5 C / 79.7 F
4) 40.3 C / 104 F

So, I'm wondering if that's good/bad temps and what else I can do to cool it down more. Also, I'm wondering if the whole temperature probe thing is kinda worthless or if it's a good thing. Also, if there's any software that anyone knows about/uses that monitors temperature that I'm not aware of.

Next week, I should get 1 more 120mm fan that I'm going to try and mount in my extra 5.25 drive bays, plus I'm getting a red cold cathode that I'm hoping to mount kinda in the top of my case, above the side window.

Thanks in advance for your comments. I've learned a lot here the last few weeks, and you've been a great help to me building this thing.