Leaving the Side case open??

aajohnny

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Apr 3, 2011
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Hey guys,
My friend just installed my new h70 cooler and my core temps at idle are about 26c which is like 10-15c less then before... anyways, I am nervous because the h70 is large and my case doen't fit anymore cause of the fan on the side... so I have the side semi attached but not screwed in, the fan is still running.... my question is am I better off or am I okay with leave the panel off? its not completely off but its not attached?? I know about dust but dust gets in the computer either way

heres my case btw : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103033

thanks
 
i have been running a old HP for a year with no extra cooling and the case open
about every three months I blow it out with canned air
I have heard and seen pictures of many people running open towers some
even designed that way

just be careful with drinks

also if it is possible for a child or pet to get into case be careful
there also due to risk of electrical shock
 


Yea never doubt the ability of a cat to pee in exactly the worst place possible

They LIVE for that

they get together and laugh about it!

I come from a cat family

I know
 
Personally i would remove the side fan.
I've never been convinced of any huge performance/cooling advantage of side fans.
All my cases have side fan options i don't utilize them.
Cover the side fan mount with vinyl window screen or pantyhose if it's not filtered.
You'll benefit more with the side panel attached for proper airflow imo.
 



^+10 good point

it would be interesting for the OP to try the setup with and without sidefan
if there is minimal difference then remove fan

I just reread the original post and actually makes no sense to leave side
off IF the side fits with case fan removed
the fan is doing nothing now anyway so why not remove it?

Nice Davcon
 

a4rocks

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Apr 9, 2011
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Isn't it contrary to what many have been saying since a long time? I also never liked the fact of having a side fan as it would totally disrupt an otherwise perfect airflow from the front to the back but ain't the side fans meant to throw cool air directly at the CPU or GPU? At least, I have noticed temperature drops for my CPU with stock Intel cooler. The GPU is lower down and hence doesn't get the same advantages but in other modern cases, the GPU can have something to gain here too.
 

a4rocks

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Apr 9, 2011
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Ah! Good thing I know it now. I wouldn't invest the next time in a side fan. How about having a side fan with LED for aesthetic and showoff value? I guess that's got good purpose there.
 


Function over form

Rule #1 Engineering

It is nice to have a cool looking tower

I have customers come to my shop so having a nice setup is
important to maintain a good impression

But when the looks interfere with how a machine works then
it makes no sense

If you go without the fan you
could use a nice metal mesh (chrome,black or tungsten look) and light it from
inside the case for a nice effect
also have seen at microcenter many different kinds of designs (ie skullls,spiders etc)
in fan grilles that if lit from behind would look pretty cool

Just my opinion
I could be wrong......