Author Topic: fans for the cab? (Read 5142 times)

Donkbaca · « **on:** March 10, 2011, 10:58:18 am »

So i am building a slim cabinet, and putting a pc and xb 360 in it. Should i add fans to it? I think it should be okay with just ventilation slots in the back. The PC, I think should be fine, and the XB 360 has new thermal paste and the x-clamps removed. Plus it will have the dvd player removed, and will probably have the top of the case off.

I know it will be a decently cramped space, but I think the XB 360 will have plenty of air flow with the top off and the hard drive removed.

Do you think I should add fans?

I don't want to drop another 50 bucks on fans, especially since I hate the sound of all the fans buzzing.

Let me know,

thanks

DNA Dan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:59:12 am »

Do you have intake vents near the bottom?

clutch · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2011, 12:50:25 pm »

I got this for my entertainment center. The enclosed components generate some heat. It has a sensor on it, so the fans only kick in once a certain temp is reached and then kick off once the temp is lowered. I can barely hear them.
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556082224.html

Donkbaca · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:36:59 pm »

I plan on putting vents near the bottom and top if the area.

Clutch, that seems like a good solution, but I would rather not drop the 70 bucks if I don't have to.

BobA · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:19:13 pm »

A 120mm fan and a single fan controller should cost less than $15 and is really good insurance. 120mm fans are built to be quiet at full speed so a lower speed setting usually makes it inaudible.

DNA Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:28:04 pm »

Quote from: BobA on March 10, 2011, 05:19:13 pm

A 120mm fan and a single fan controller should cost less than $15 and is really good insurance. 120mm fans are built to be quiet at full speed so a lower speed setting usually makes it inaudible.

This could also just be wired into the pin headers on the MoBo. Fan would probably always be on and circulating.

TheChairmanH2K · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:47:35 pm »

could get something like this (its what im gonna do). seems tailor made for an arcade cabinet application. dont have to worry about pin headers or soldering, just have a powerstrip in the cab (as most of us do) and youre good to go.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/6231/fan-ac-05/Best_Electronics_120_x_120_x_25mm_Low_Speed_AC_Fan_w_36_Power_Cord_BT12025B1L.html?tl=g36c265#blank

opt2not · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:53:58 pm »

For both a 360, and PC + monitor...I'd put a fan or 2 in it. 360's alone can generate a lot of heat...

Donkbaca · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2011, 11:35:12 pm »

I am running a LCD monitor, bad my marquee is edge lit with LEDs, so not much heat from those. Will one 120mm fan work? Or should I get 2, one exhaust and one intake? Or would I be cool with just the vents and an extra case fan in the pc and an intake fan on the 360?

darkmdbeener · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2011, 11:41:06 pm »

honestly i would just add these
http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/73_89/products_id/978
http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/73_89/products_id/890

we installed these into my bros xbox 360 and also it isnt in a cab (still working on my first build) it seems to be good in all situations.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2011, 11:52:26 pm »

I am not all that sure if I need that. Airflow to my CPU/ GPU isn't going to be much if an issue since my DVD drive will be mounted outside of the xb 360 case. I may also leave the top of the cases for the pc and xbox off. I am more worried about heat building up in the cab itself

darkmdbeener · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:01:42 am »

well if that is the case if your worried about it. its alway better to be on the safe side and spend a little bit more money on a fan then to have it get to hot inside that something bad happend which then cost more to fix.

DNA Dan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:16:27 am »

The link to the fan that thechariman posted looks pretty slick. I'll be picking up two of these for my cab.

TheChairmanH2K · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2011, 06:24:21 pm »

glad to be of service

they have a couple different sizes if sound is an issue for anyone. worth the $23 in my opinion.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:21:30 pm »

So you think I should get 1 120mm intake and 1 120mm exhaust? Or just one exhaust?

TheChairmanH2K · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:33:23 pm »

id say one exhaust and one intake. if you have the cases off the 360 and pc the extra air flow will help keep them cool while getting out any heat buildup. i guess youd get the size that wont bother you with noise. i think that site had decibel ratings on the fans.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:38:09 pm »

That's what I was thinking, 2 120mm fans, one on the bottom for intake, one higher for exhaust.

I think I may get these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NPEBM4/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I don't mind soldering and wiring, heck I'm getting pretty good at it with everything I've done so far.

DNA Dan · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:44:49 pm »

The one that thechairman posted to also has an option control:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8927/fan-ac-25/AC_Fan_Power_Cable_w_Manual_Speed_Control.html

It looks like the same plug into the fan.

There's two schools of thought on this. 1) You can buy what you think will do the job, and inevitably you're going to choose a low CFM fan to reduce the noise or 2) You can purposely overkill the situation with a speed controller. Too hot? turn it up. To loud? turn it down.

I suppose a third option is to look at the BTU ratings for your components and see what type of load they are going to produce. I have a PS3 and it actually warms up the small room I play in if it sees some heavy gaming for a few hours.

So, my .02 is to have slots cut on the bottom, one intake fan on the bottom, then two exiting the top of the cab with a speed controller. Expensive? Yes. But it gives you several options and you won't have to go and buy a second fan, or wish you got the louder one with the higher CFM. Once you cut a single hole, you're stick with it. These things tend to produce much more heat than the manufacturers let on. Just depends how much you care about your components. If in 3 years you're going to buy a new console or something, then don't sweat it.

apfelanni · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:08:17 pm »

i never build something without an exhaust fan on the cabinet top or the top of rear panel . if its 80 ,92 or 120 mm fansize depends on the cabinet style and the build in components . a wooden cabinet without a fan can extremely heat up on summer days, until the electric fails . in my opinion intake of fresh air is nonsens if u consider some ventholes on the bottom of the cab . u d better get the hot air out. thats why pc power supplies are usually mounted on the rear top and suck the air out instead of blowing it into the comp case.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:22:11 pm »

So are you saying a single 120mm fan would work? I could live with that.

The cabinet is a slim style cabinet. P4 3.0ghz and a xbox 360 will be in it. The monitor is a 21 inch LCD, the Marquee is edge lit with LEDS. The cabinet is going to be inside in my office.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2011, 08:03:25 pm »

On my current cab I'm working on, I put two side-by-side 80mm fans on top and just made an air vent without fans at the bottom. Seems like it will do the trick nicely.

DNA Dan · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2011, 10:34:56 pm »

That's probably what I will do with my build. The cost just keeps going up and up! I think once it heats up you only need a little flow to create a "chimney" effect.

Vigo · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:59:49 am »

I know I am going to get grief for being the anti fan guy, but I hate the sound of fans enough to say that maybe you should just start out without any fans and see how it goes. 360's have temp sensors, and you will be alerted if it is in danger of overheating. I would just drop a household thermometer in the cabinet and see if there is a significant temperature rise. Also, if you are setting your 360 down flat, I would put in some risers below it to promote ventilation on the bottom....

Of course if you need airflow, and hate the sound of a fan, you can always build an ionic cooling system.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:20:21 am »

I Think I am leaning towards your solution Vigo. I hate the sound of fans. The way I plan on mounting the 360, it will be pretty much suspended by brackets, I think I will back it up so that the exhaust blows out of a vent in the cab, and I will make a vent in the bottom and top of the cab. The computer and 360 will shut off if they overheat, so I think I am going to go no fans first and see if heat will be an issue.

gryhnd · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:30:31 am »

New Egg has fans that self-regulate their RPM based on a built in temp sensor, so they can be hard wired to a power source. Pretty cheap IIRC...around $10


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