5.25 Bay Vent?

[Thomas Traini]

I've got hp pavilion xt926 (a boxed mATX system). The airflow is awful...
CDs used to come out of the drive hot before I realized that the only case
fan (back) was blowing air into the case. Now that it's an exhaust fan, I
don't need the oven mitts to change discs.

I'm looking at buying a new motherboard and overclocking the Duron 900
that's in there now (would buy a new case if I had the $$). I'm concerned
about the heat. Does anyone know of a simple vent or screen that will
install in an empty 5.25 drive bay to provide better circulation? I'd hate
to just leave a hole in the front of the case, but that's probably better
than spontaneous combustion.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[Mitchua]

I've used one with 3 little fans and a screen to filter out dust. It worked
pretty well but let a lot of sound go out the front. Another problem is
that ideally airflow should go from the bottom-front to the top-back so the
hard drives are cooled. You might want to spend the $30 on a new case

--Mitchua

 

[Dave C.]

I've got hp pavilion xt926 (a boxed mATX system). The airflow is awful...
CDs used to come out of the drive hot before I realized that the only case
fan (back) was blowing air into the case. Now that it's an exhaust fan, I
don't need the oven mitts to change discs.

I'm looking at buying a new motherboard and overclocking the Duron 900
that's in there now (would buy a new case if I had the $$). I'm concerned
about the heat. Does anyone know of a simple vent or screen that will
install in an empty 5.25 drive bay to provide better circulation? I'd hate
to just leave a hole in the front of the case, but that's probably better
than spontaneous combustion.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

www.newegg.com sells a raidmax model mid-tower case with a (side) 80mm
cooling fan (but no power supply) for $19, plus $12 fedex shipping. If your
current power supply will fit that case, it would be a good case for your
next upgrade, also. I used this case to build my wife's xp 2500 system. I
wasn't concerned about looks as it is located inside a desk. But it is a
pretty nice case, especially considering the price, and doesn't look too bad
for a beige box. I don't know what the cooling fan is like, as I tossed it
(used a thermal controlled quiet fan in it's place). You really shouldn't
think about overclocking the duron 900. First, overclocking will create
more heat, which you are already worried about. Second, you are unlikely to
notice an improvement in performance.

As for airing out the existing case through the drive bay . . . why not
remove the plastic blank panel, cut a hole in it (maybe 1" by 3"?) and then
cover the hole from the back by attaching some kind of thin cloth material
with glue. Or find some wire mesh, or create your own grille. -Dave

 

[Matt]

I've got hp pavilion xt926 (a boxed mATX system). The airflow is awful...
CDs used to come out of the drive hot before I realized that the only case
fan (back) was blowing air into the case. Now that it's an exhaust fan, I
don't need the oven mitts to change discs.

I'm looking at buying a new motherboard and overclocking the Duron 900
that's in there now (would buy a new case if I had the $$). I'm concerned
about the heat. Does anyone know of a simple vent or screen that will
install in an empty 5.25 drive bay to provide better circulation? I'd hate
to just leave a hole in the front of the case, but that's probably better
than spontaneous combustion.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

Not exactly what you are asking for, but take a look at:

http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/cooler/justcooler/index.shtml

Also search for Just Cooler TT 900 at www.groups.google.com.

But see the system design docs at the AMD site for the orthodox airflow
scheme.