case/fans(airflow?)/cooling questions

[jevon]

Hi
I'm putting together my first computer and I think I've settle on an A64 w/ the MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R mobo. I plan on running a 9800pro but I dont think I'll be getting into any overclocking. So right now I'm looking around for a decent case with good airflow. But I've come across some contradicting stuff..

One guy was saying on another forum that you need more intake fans than outake, and on yet another forum some said the exact opposite! (more outake than intake). they both said something about air pressure (positive and negative?) So if someone could clear that up for me, which is right, or if it should be 1:1 or whatever, that would be great.

Cases I'm looking are the Chenbro Xpider, Artec 868 (It's actually the RaidMax 868, but under the Artec name?), and also this Diablo Tek Demon case that I can only find on tigerdirect.ca(http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=541440&Tab=1&NoMapp=0)
the Diablo case seems to have a good amount of fans but I cant find any reviews or anything, anywhere!

I want one of those three because they seem to have decent features, good reviews (except Diablo?), and also because I have access to them either via free shipping or a local store I'm going to get the Antec True430W power supply. If you have any opinions/experience on those cases (especially the Diablo one) that would be great and appreciated.

Last question.. sorry bout all this but I think it's better I put it all in one thread than spam the boards This is probably pretty newb of me, but I was wondering about heatsinks or ways to cool the A64 cpu? I'm not sure if the CPU comes with it's own cooling, or if I need to get one seperately since i'm building from scratch? the A64 is NOT oem if that makes a difference? remember i dont plan on overclocking so i wont need to deal with extra heat.

thanks

 

[rook]

If you are not OC'n then 1 fan in the back (80mm+) and one on the bottom of the PS is usually sufficient. Tho I haven't used the A64 yet, so not sure if they run hot or not. I run 1 in the back and 1 intake in the front in my HD cage to keep them cool as well. <A HREF="http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23794.pdf" target="_new">Here</A> is AMD guide lines for case cooling.
If you are buying a retail CPU then it will come with a heatsink and fan, not the highest quality, but enough for no OC.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=23900" target="_new">System</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2072215" target="_new">3DMark03</A>

 

[Crashman]

OH boy, a nice long post for me to spend the evening with, let me get a cup of coffee first.


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[Crashman]

OK, first of all, I'd like to suggest the MSI K8N Neo Platinum, reather than the K8T.

Now, everyone you're refering to on case fan recommendations is right, even when the contradict each other!

a.) If you drop air pressure you reduce air temperature, so the guy who said more exhaust fans is right! But wait, the pressure difference is so small that might not make a difference!
b.) If you increase air pressure, you increase the number of air molecules in contact with the heatsink at any given time, so high pressure air should move heat more quickly. But the increase in pressure is so small that might not make a difference!
c.) Having the same number of fans in the case means the pressure will be slightly negative, because the power supply also has exhaust fans.
d.) Lower pressure inside the case usually causes dust to be drawn in around air leaks, such as the mounting holes for the drives and even unused ports

Hey, from the dust accumulation standpoint, positive pressure is better. But most cases can't provide that. Still, if you have 2 exhaust fans and a power supply fan, 2 front intakes and a side intake should balance the pressure fairly well.

I like the fan configuration of the Chieftec Dragon series (also available from Antec and several others). The versions with a side fan place it in a good location for cooling the graphics card. Probably the worst location for a side fan is in the center of the side, which is where many companies locate theirs just for looks.

Retail boxed processors come with their own heatsink which is good for stock speeds and usually mild overclocking.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[jevon]

Great thanks a lot Crash, that cleared it up nicely! I actually saw the Antec Plus1080AMG case that comes with the 430W TruePower PSU I was going to get anyway, and it's cheaper to get this case than another one plus the same Antec PSU. Only draw back is the thing is full tower, but oh well.

As for the Platinum, I know I've read about a billion good things about it, but I can't seem to find it in Canada? I understand it was just recently released so hopefully by the time I put this rig together it'll be available here.

anyway thanks again!

 

[Crashman]

Well, the 1080AMG is actually a midtower. It's a tall midtower, but only 2 inches taller than the average midtower. It's also a couple inches shorter than a true full tower.

I hope you find the platinum in Canada!

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<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[poly4life]

Hey Crashman, regarding c.), I'm not sure you made your point clear enough. If you have a 1:1 ratio of fans, that doesn't necessairly mean the pressure will be slightly negative, even with the psu taken into account. What happens if you have a case that has an 2 60mm intake fans and 2 120mm exhaust fans. Is the pressuer still slightly negative then? The best thing is knowing the specs of your fans. Also, your PSU might have an two or three fans, maybe 2 intakes and an exhaust. 1:1 would imply the fans are identical, thus a slightly lower internal air pressure.

 

[Crashman]

Of course, but you knew I was speaking of identicle fans.

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<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[Mode_Locrian]

You might want to look into getting a case with 120mm fans. They move a lot of air, but they don't have to spin as fast as 80mm fans to do it, so they're not as loud (the pitch/frequency is lower, so it is not as noticeable... same decibels at different frequencies produce different 'loudness' to the ear).

Just my $0.02

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