XP2100+ on A7V266-E - running hot ?

[Wiggo]

A side intake fan (92mm 50-60cfm) over the AGP and PCI cards would be a start plus a top blowhole (80mm 30cfm an optional) should be of great help to ya as atm ya have more air being sucked out of the case than whats being blown into it (ideally the intake should be slightly more than the exhaust). ;)
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[gfoster]

You're right on the money Wiggo. I felt around the case, and noticed some dead, warm air up by the PSU. Closed the sides up, and opened the top 2 5.25" bay slots, and the temps dropped from CPU @ 62 -> 57C. Rigged up an old PSU fan and placed it in the bay slot, and temps dropped to 54C. Suspect a bay-mounted fan unit should help out here.

I'm still considering the side-mounted fan unit - but does anyone have a link to an article discussing bay fan units, or have any suggestions ?

Thanks,
Greg.

[Wiggo]

The whole idea is to get cool fresh air into the case low down and extract the hot air up high. Most cases draw thru the front down low and exhaust out the rear up high though this will usually leave warm spots around the AGP/PCI cards (which the side intake cures) and around the top of the 5.25" bays (which the blowhole takes care of). These cases (made by UNEEC but sold under many different names) have excellent airflow characteristics and with the addition of a blowhole are then perfect (the last dozen or so PC's that I've built have used these). Combined with a Volcano 7+ usually results in CPU load temps between 14C-18C above room temp (depending on CPU speed) with the fan on Medium speed (overclocking will raise that a bit though). ;)
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[T\/\/34|<3|2]

lol just do like me.buy the biggest cheapest copper heatsink u can find,throw it on there with a thick ass layer of thermal past,leave the window open till it gets cold as hell (optional),then yank off the door of the case and stick a huge fan in front of it.werks good fer me!!!:thumb:

[gfoster]

Thanks again Wiggo (and crew). Any suggestions for the cabling assemby for side-mounted intake fans ? I'm guessing you extend them a bit so as to not yank it off when you pull the panel off to access the unit ?

Greg.

[Wiggo]

Here's a shot of the inside of one of mine. ;)

&lt;img src="http://forums.tweaktown.com/attachment.php?s=&amp;postid=107829"&gt;

[gfoster]

I'm guessing you don't need a side-mounted intake on yours ? :) Unfortunately, my case only has the one fan port in the back of the case.

I'm looking at the TT9025A-2B - Would I be better with a SMART fan that was variable - or just install this and be done with it ?

Greg.

[Wiggo]

That fan will do ya just fine as I'm about to swap the 3 SMART FAN II's out of that case due to their loud noise even with just one at half speed and turnin' them all onto full is not only useless and painful but the neighbours call the cops. :eek:

But thankfully I have 3 very quiet 36cfm fans waiting to replace them and still keep the airflow balance right. :thumb:
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[gfoster]

Before I pull out the dremel (once I get the fan), any 'superb for newbies' links on cutting holes for case fans in side panels ? :)

Also, I'm itching to install my Volcano 7+, but won't have the AS3 until next week. Have you seen any comparisons on 'Titan Silver' ? I suspect it's a ripoff - but am wondering if it's even worth throwing the 7+ on before I get the AS3 ?

Greg.

[Wiggo]

Try this one which starts as an interview with a person who do this for a livin' and his way of doin' things (he shows how it do a window but a fan is just much smaller at the end), http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20020724/index.html :devil:
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[gfoster]

Lots of great info.

BTW - what's the final word on installing Volcano 7+ HSFs on XP procs ? I've seen mention of shims, but the majority appear to say they're not needed. Any tricks I should be aware of ?

.

[Wiggo]

Shims arn't needed and just be sure not to excert any undue pressure on the HSF while it's not in a level position to the core (I've used quite a lots of those 7+'s now). ;)

Be warned though that this may become too adictive for ya health (well maybe ya wallet's anyway). :D
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[gfoster]

Well, here's where things stand so far. Before, I was looking at :

Sides open on case... MB=27 CPU=55
Sides closed on case.. MB=28 CPU=61
Sides closed, but 5.25 bay open MB=27 CPU=54

I didn't have AS3, but should have it next week. In the mean time, I couldn't stand having that 7+ on my desk any longer :) I followed the AS installation instructions (but with Titan Silver crap), and was able to achieve the following: (medium fan)

Sides open on case... MB=24 CPU=44
Sides closed on case.. MB=26 CPU=50
Sides closed, but 5.25 bay open MB=26 CPU=48

I still am waiting on my TT9025A-2B - hoping proper airflow throughout will make even more of a difference. BTW - wasn't sure how you guys handle or mount the switch for the 7+. Decided to try it in one of the 'game' port slots on the back of the case, and it works great !

[Wiggo]

Ok I'll link this thread, http://forums.tweaktown.com/showthre...;threadid=7273, just to save me some time and that may help ya a bit better. ;)
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[gfoster]

Okay - I'll have the 92 and 80mm fans this afternoon with some AS3 to add to the mix.

Wiggo and crew: Any suggestions on testing my 'side intake' fan before actually cutting the case ? I've thought about cardboard/plexiglass with the fan/hole mounted to see if things improve. Since there is 'suction' from the front 5.25" bay when the cover is removed, I'm obviously dealing with an imbalance of air right now.. pumping more cold air into the case will help. Is there a danger of introducing too much exhaust again with the blowhole up top after the side fan is installed if I decide to go that route ?