I'm sure you could relatively easily mount a slim 80~92mm fan to the case side, and use artic epoxy to glue on a heatsink to the CPU, and if you used the positive rails to rig that to 7 volts instead of 12 then you'd have a very much quieter solution - but I'd say you'd need to punch the case out for a grill in order to do that... but it'd make things a lot quieter :)
Qdos, I removed the stock fan and cleaned it, it really wasn't bad a little dusty and of course the dust that is always stuck on the fins, but not that bad. While apart I took a few pics so you could see the configuration. There is already a vent hole, which could be enlarged possibly with tin snips (so I wouldn't have to gut the box).
The present hole sits in the upper part of the case and it's dimensions are 2 5/8'" wide (66.7mm) x 1 1/4" (28.6mm) high. The dimension from the heat sink to the inside of the case is 3/8" (9.53mm) and from the top of the mother board to the top of the case 3 1/8" (79.4mm).
While it would nice to keep the case stock, as I was getting these pictures, It struck me, I have acres of room in the top or side removable cover (last Picture) that I could punch a hole in and mount almost any fan! Duh...
I wouldn't begin to know how to wire for the 7 volts you recommended, but if I went the route of mounting the fan in the removable case cover, would there be a quiet 12V fan out there and what brand would you recommend?
With the stock snail fan removed I have 1 3/4" (44.4mm) from the top of the heat sink to the inside of the cover.
Thanks....N2
If I understand you correctly, you are considering completely removing the CPU fan and then installing a case fan?
So you would have nothing directly cooling the CPU and would hope that the new case fan would adequately replace the removed CPU fan, with lower noise?
Would you be removing just a fan, or also a heatsink?
That might work, but I'd wonder about the resulting CPU temps.
Not knowing much about this, I thought, leave the stock heat sink and mount a fan above, I think that's going to be the simplest.
I doing some research, I found a Cooler Master SLC-S41-U1-GP, that would replace the heat sink and fan, then I guess I would just have to cut a vent hole above it? This would probably be the best idea,
but the way I use this box, the exhaust would always be facing up and would be prone to collect falling dust!
I have no idea what I'm looking for, but the present fan is a four pin 12V and after all this work would want something quiet.
I will try to find a sone or decibel level for the stock fan.
Thanks...N2
If this Coolermaster you found is a CPU cooler per se, a direct replacement that mounts on the CPU itself--not on the case---I wouldn't think that a vent hole would be much additional help. And the Coolermaster might not be any quieter than what you have now.
You might (??) be able to find a fanless large heat sink that would mount directly on the CPU, and then maybe add a large diameter (92 mm or 120mm) relatively slow RPM (under 2000) case fan nearby--but you may have to cut a hole in the case to mount this new case fan?
If you have that much clearance I'd just check an 80mm x 25mm (slimline) fan has the same screw hole patterns as your heatsink, and bolt it on there without the plastic shroud. You will need some longer screws, which are trimmed so as not to be over-length.
You can seven volt the fan by powering it from the +12v and +5v rails (just requires a multimeter to check which is which) and monitor CPU temps for a time without knocking a hole through the case.
I'd also clean up the heatsink and CPU die, and bed it back down using Arctic Céramique thermal paste instead of the OEM paste or a thermal pad.
If temps rise then cut a hole over the fan, and fit a case grille. There is no reason the fan cannot be set to pick up air through the heatsink instead of blowing down into the heatsink.
CPU wise it will hang on what the thermal rating of the CPU actually is. If that's a socket 478 Intel CPU then this will depend on whether it's the cooler running Northwood type processor; or the hotter Prescott chip.
Fan wise Scythe make some very quiet, reliable units. So do Noctua, just as a heads up. Costs of all this will be relatively tiny too - and it will certainly be far less noisy than at present.
Qdos, I'm lost about the +12v and +5V rails? Are you talking about the four post pin connection that is mounted to the moBoard?
I have never delt with mounting a CPU, so how does one go about cleaning the old paste off in a safe manner?
Where do I aquire the "Arctic Céramique thermal paste" and how much is to be used?
Also any shopping sites you can recommend for the fan and paste?
Last question, how do I go about monitoring case temps?
Attach a picture of how to get 7v to a fan from any molex block. However if you were to buy a 800rpm 12v unit it'd be unnecessary (my thinking is buy a faster one, say 1,500rpm, use 7v on it... and you can always revert to 12v to gain more cooling if needs be...)
Personally I use ordinary rubbing alcohol, or pure cellulose thinners. You can buy a solvent from computer stores for a hugely inflated price, but it does not do any better a job
I'm not in the USA, but take a look at Kustom PC's website. It'll give you an idea of the sorts of mods and accessories that can be found - although all your US stock tends to cost less than we pay over here for the same...
Kustom - Gaming | Modding | Lifestyle
Thermal paste needs to be spread thinly. A blob about the size of a small pea is as much as is usually needed.
A little freeware program called CoreTemp should take care of that, but there are loads of alternative freeware temperature monitors...
Core Temp
You can use q-tips and alcohol, be careful not to leak any off the side of the CPU down into the socket. Take your time and be thorough.
Thermal paste probably isn't sold in Meeteetse or Worland. Maybe not even in Thermop or Riverton. Radio Shack may carry thermal paste. Pretty much any will do--"Arctic Silver 5" is a common and good paste. As a last resort, go online and buy it from Newegg.com
Newegg for fans also. Post back in this thread once you know your fan needs--diameter, etc.
HWInfo32 is a good downloadable app to monitor temps and fan speeds.
You need to use very little paste. Likely no more than a BB sized drop.
Consult arcticsilver.com for their recommendations for your particular processor. It varies a bit, depending which you have. Some its best to put a drop; others a thin line, etc.
7-volting a fan is usually used to slow it down and thereby reduce noise. It's likely not needed if you buy a quality low noise fan of the right RPM to begin with.
OK, so rather than plugging this fan into the four post pin attachment on the mother board, I would just utilize an extra molex power connector? could it be any power connector from the power supply?
The fan I was considering was the Scythe S-FLEX SFF80D 80 x 80 x 25mm Fan w/ S-FDB Bearing (2800rpm)
Part Number: SFF80D
RPM: 2800+-420
Noise Level: 32.4 dB
Air Flow: 40.2 CFM
Rated Current: 0.20 A
MTBF: 150,000 hrs
Rated Voltage: 12v
Does this seem OK? or to fast? it is listed as a 12v so it should plug right in, but whats the advantage to 7v over 12v?
Would you go with a "fan siliencer" (Gasket between the fan and heat sink?)
Stock operating temperature specifications show 10° to 32°C (50° to 90°F) does this sound right? I will load the program you spoke of and see where I am now.
I have included a word doc of my shopping list, incase I have forgotten anything.
Thanks again for all the help!
I really appreciate it!.......N2
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