First-time builder ISO Cooling advice

[Mike T.]

I've fixed/upgraded my older machines for a while now, so I'm comfortable
working inside them. However, this is the first one I've built from the
ground up.

Here are the specs:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice
Asus A8V Deluxe mobo
HIS Excalibur Radeon 9600 VIVO (8x AGP) < PCI Express cards are a bit pricey
for me right now
160GB S-ATA hard drive
LG 4163 DVD/CD burner
Chieftec Bravo series Midi-Tower
Chieftec 400W PSU (came with case)

I'm going to be using this rig for mostly general use, but a bit more than
the average user. I'll eventually dualboot XP and Linux (I may drop a small
(40GB-ish) IDE drive in and dedicate that to Linux, like I did with another
box. I'll do some gaming, but nothing heavy duty (e.g. MVP Baseball, maybe
Madden). I'm also planning to digitize some videotapes that I have, esp. my
wedding video (NOT the wedding night, pervs!). I'll be doing some
programming with Delphi, and will install Advantage Database. PHP/MySQL for
some website work. I don't see myself playing with overclocking in the
forseeabl future, although I'd never rule it out entirely.

After all of that, here's my question. The case has five openings for 90mm
fans on the sides (2 left, 3 right) and a 120mm opening in the back. How
many fans would be sufficient for my use? I don't really want to use the two
slots on the left side because that's also the removable access panel, and
would have to disconnect the fans every time I work inside. (and I'd like to
avoid having it sound like a 747 taking off every time I boot ;-) ) I know
that airflow should go from front to back. Would 2 or 3 90mm intakes on the
front right side and a 120mm exhaust out the back be sufficient? One note:
The case I have is different from the one on Chieftec's website only in that
the access panel is different (no plexi, space for the two aforementiond
90mm fans, and another vent about 2/3 of the way back.

TIA

 

[Mike Hollywood]

You'll be running it without covers and secondary fans until you get it
working so first off, just put on the covers and see what happens. If it
runs too hot
add one fan on the access panal side It's no big deal to unplug a molex
connector once in a while. If it's still running hot, then add another one,
etc.

I read somewhere that not all fans are created equal when it comes to noise,
and "for a few bucks more" you can quiet the system some by buying quiet
fans.

You can also glue some sound absorbing material to the inside of the case,
and/or the outside.

Mike

 

[SMS]

After all of that, here's my question. The case has five openings for 90mm
fans on the sides (2 left, 3 right) and a 120mm opening in the back. How
many fans would be sufficient for my use? I don't really want to use the two
slots on the left side because that's also the removable access panel, and
would have to disconnect the fans every time I work inside. (and I'd like to
avoid having it sound like a 747 taking off every time I boot ;-) ) I know
that airflow should go from front to back. Would 2 or 3 90mm intakes on the
front right side and a 120mm exhaust out the back be sufficient? One note:
The case I have is different from the one on Chieftec's website only in that
the access panel is different (no plexi, space for the two aforementiond
90mm fans, and another vent about 2/3 of the way back.

You're better off using all the fan locations, with lower noise, lower
CFM fans, than running fewer fans with higher dB, higher CFM.

Check http://svc.com/fans.html for the best selection of fans.

If the case is being slid inside a computer desk's enclosed area for a
tower case, then you'll want additional exhaust fans to expel the warm
air out the sides, which requires drilling some big holes (3.25" for an
80mm fan).

 

[stubborn]

I don't really want to use the two
slots on the left side because that's also the removable access panel, and
would have to disconnect the fans every time I work inside.

I mounted my side panel fans with velcro for easy removal when I have
to go into the box. The velcro also isolates the fans and dampens the
vibrations for less noise. Plus it looks better without the four holes
drilled in the case for the screws (tho I guess yours already has the
holes).

marxbig

 

[Mike T.]

Thanks for all the advice. Everything is put together. I went with (2) 90mm
on the lower front side and (1) 120mm exhaust out the back. It's running
cool as a cucumber, although a touch on the loud side. I'll be putting some
benchmarking SW onto it to see how it handles.

The fans are adjustable, so I'll see what lowering the speeds will do. I
could also take out one of the 90mm.

I still do have one small problem, but so as not to confuse the issue, I'll
start another thread.

Thanks again!