Cooling Solution

[Guest]

Hi guys, I've decided to just grab a regular AOpen Full tower case, it look's pretty cool and is reasonably priced. Obviously Im gonna need to add some extra fans to this puppy. I looked at AMD's spec's and it shows that you should have a front intake and a back exhaust. What size fans should I get, how many? And how big, also is the addition of these fans going to make my box sound like a furnace. I'd like to keep it as quiet as possible. Oh and if this means anything I have a DVD drive, a burner, a cd rom and 2 hd's. So it is kinda packed. Any opinions or info would be great. Thanks!

 

[worsie]

The Aopen fulltowers (HX08 and HQ08) have already been prepared for the placement of 3 80mm fans. Those will probably do the trick. To keep it silent, use fans with a low RPM, and make sure they have ball-bearings. The low RPM will affect the amount of airflow they create, but you'll be probably looking for a compromise. fans rated at 32dB or lower are generally considered as reasonably silent, but off course, that can be different in anyone's opinion.

 

[ejsmith2]

If you have any way (Rotozip, Dremel) to cut out the armor plating of that case, you can put some 120mm fans in it. If you run them at 7volts, you can get silent cooling with a rather large amount of airflow (65-70cfm/fan).

 

[Guest]

Just noticed your reply. How does one get the 7 volt you mentioned. From what I understand it's w/ a 3-position center-off switch. Right now I have 12V & 5V on a switch like that, but I don't know how to get the -5V for to make the +7. any assistance will be appreciated.


Eagles may soar, but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[Guest]

"I looked at AMD's spec's and it shows that you should have a front intake and a back exhaust."

Can you link to that, please. The version of AMD's Thermal Design Guidelines that I've seen does not recommend a front intake.

 

[ejsmith2]

You have to connect the 12v to 5V, which is 7V potential. If you have a two position switch (3 pole), you hook the fan up to 12V, and run the negative lead to the center pole on the switch. 5V and ground go to the other two poles.

 

[Tempus]

Well of course you need a frontal intake. What good is the fan on top of the CPU heatsink gonna do if it it blowing hot air on it? However, the rear exaust is optional, although I strongly recommend it.

- I don't write Tom's Hardware Guide, I just preach it"