Author Topic: Cabinet Cooling (Read 6392 times)

Mike · « **on:** May 21, 2002, 08:54:28 am »

I think my cabinet is getting too hot that it's causing my computer to overheat and lockup. I've been trying some things to cool it down, like I stuck a couple of fans in the case but that wasn't enough. So I stuck an 8" fan in the cabinet which keeps it somewhat cooler but it's really loud. Anyone have any ideas on something quiet that can cool an arcade cabinet? I think cooling the cabinet is going to be the key because i think the monitor is generating alot of the heat. Well any ideas are appreciated.

PCC · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2002, 09:37:51 am »

You might try:
http://www.directron.com/silence.html

slug54 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2002, 05:19:03 pm »

It sounds like you have your whole P.C. case and all
inside your cab. if this is true install a piece of dryer vent hose over your power supply exhaust and connect it
to a vent on your cab to eject the hot air out of the cab.
also make sure you have an fresh air intake vent low in your cab and a exhaust vent as high as you can get it.
Slug54

jaydog · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2002, 11:43:21 pm »

what is a good size fan to put in your cab anyway?
I saw some at the Happs website at around 3" I don't know about you guys, but that seems kinda small to me

cdbrown · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2002, 01:12:16 am »

Quote

I think my cabinet is getting too hot that it's causing my computer to overheat and lockup. I've been trying some things to cool it down, like I stuck a couple of fans in the case but that wasn't enough. So I stuck an 8" fan in the cabinet which keeps it somewhat cooler but it's really loud. Anyone have any ideas on something quiet that can cool an arcade cabinet? I think cooling the cabinet is going to be the key because i think the monitor is generating alot of the heat. Well any ideas are appreciated.

You need to make sure you have exhausts at the top as that's where most of the heat will be. If you don't have any vents then the 8" fan won't be able to do it's job of supplying cooler air. It may be unable to push the air in which could be the reason for the noise. I could also be very wrong.

Why don't you remove the case and leave the motherboard etc mounted to the frame that way you don't need the extra case fans. You could possibly use the case fan as exhaust fans at the top of the cab? I was thinking about using an inlet fan and an exhaust fan.

For those with fans - do you have filters on them and what works best?

-cdbrown

jelloslug · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2002, 06:55:23 am »

In my cabinet I put a 4" fan (a 110v AC fan not a PC case fan) in the top and added a 6"x10" vent at the bottom in the back. I also do not have a case on my PC. I have never had any heat related problems with this setup. Also, do you have any extra stuff that might be adding extra heat?

Rick Osborn · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2002, 10:55:43 am »

Why not just remove the back door?

There's you're cooling and ventilation problem solved.

Nobody would even notice since the back of the cab most likely faces a wall.

Rick

Quote

I think my cabinet is getting too hot that it's causing my computer to overheat and lockup. I've been trying some things to cool it down, like I stuck a couple of fans in the case but that wasn't enough. So I stuck an 8" fan in the cabinet which keeps it somewhat cooler but it's really loud. Anyone have any ideas on something quiet that can cool an arcade cabinet? I think cooling the cabinet is going to be the key because i think the monitor is generating alot of the heat. Well any ideas are appreciated.

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2002, 02:17:08 pm »

Quote

Why don't you remove the case and leave the motherboard etc mounted to the frame that way you don't need the extra case fans.

jelloslug · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2002, 03:00:14 pm »

Actually most prebuilt computers done have case fans at all. The only parts on an average PC that really need fan cooling in a normal enviroment (ie not stuck in a game cab, not overclocked ect..) are the power supply, the CPU and some video cards. Removing the case is only going to help in most situations.

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2002, 04:09:59 pm »

Perhaps my comment pertains more to cutting edge components. I guess if you're not running more than 1 harddrive & such you might be ok, but for those of us running multiple 7200RPM harddrives, multiple GHz cpu's, ... my oberservations are valid.

cdbrown · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2002, 06:58:40 pm »

I want be having any super hyped components - I'll just make sure that I have a really good heatsink/fan on the cpu. The PC I currently have runs a lot cooler by having the side of the case removed

. It didn't come with any case fans.

Does anyone think that the following would be best left in the case with some case fans-
Athlon 1800+
60GB 7200rpm
512 DDR
decent video and sound card
perhaps slightly overclocked?

-cdbrown

jelloslug · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2002, 10:46:09 pm »

I have never seen a non-overclocked PC that required a case fan to keep from overheating. It takes quiet a bit of heat to shut down a PC (well over 60 deg C). Even packed full of fast drives and the lateset processors the only way your gonna even come close to being required to have case fans is if your are running a server (and a popular one at that:)

darkmanx · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2002, 12:17:51 am »

it really depends on what you have running.. there is no one solution for every setup. the comp im using now runs fine in its case with a low cool air intake and an exhaust at top. it also runs fine with it outside the case. when i tested this i used it alot and periodicly shut the pc down and toutched the heatsinks (always make sure to discharge static before toutching anything in your pc!!) , power supply, and some other known hot spots. there was no difference with the case on or off, so i put it on just to keep dust off the components...

on the other hand, alot of new stuff runs hotter and will break down if you let it get too hot. one option which i am gonna use when i upgrade my pc, is to put a thermomter inside so i can know if the heat is really getting bad. leaving it in the case is safer but its no guarantee. you should still check on it and if its getting too hot, try taking the components out and make sure there is plenty of ventilation and air blowing across the area, especially the cpu and vid card.

also.. your setup might be fine until summer hits. check it alot to make sure its working alright, especially on the hottest days and then you wont have to worry about it anymore.

Bren R. · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2002, 11:11:19 am »

I have 5 fans total in my cab.

The CPU cooler, the fans in the two power supplies (standard 80mm/3in.) - one ATX PS in the case, one AT PS runs lights and the 12VDC fans.

To vent to the outside of the cabinet, I have a 4" server-style 12VDC fan mounted at the top of the monitor enclosure that pulls 55cfm (will replace the air in the whole cab every 30 or so seconds)... with a second 3" 12VDC fan from Bob Roberts mounted over the rear access door to provide more cooling down there. That one pulls about 27CFM.

Bren R.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2005, 11:07:18 pm »

I just can't get my Athlon 2400+ to run anything below 75 degrees C.

I have 4 case fans in the machine... a new layer of arctic 5 on the CPU.

When I play KI2 for an extended amount of time.. it will shut down (after about 20 minutes)

My next move is to get a new CPU HSF to replace my Volcano 5.

d.

P.S. Whoah.. sorry about ressurecting an ancient thread!! But, hey, at least you can't blame me for not using the -Search-

Lilwolf · « **Reply #15 on:** April 18, 2005, 08:56:19 am »

One simple thing to try (before you buy anything)

remove you processor fan. Then clean all the crap off the heat sync. I'm always amazed at the amount this cools down the processor.

I had that problem two weeks ago. And a quick cleanup and its good to go again.

The other item to consider. Get a good size strong fan to put on the back of your case. Then attach a tube used on the back of cloths dryers (white plastic with wire ring/spring in it). Attach it to your fan and bring it right to either on top of your processor or to the front fan of your computer (that blows in). Cheap $1 solution if you already have the fan.

also adding a grills at the top helps considerably.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2005, 09:28:19 pm »

I haevn't cleaned off my CPU yet (I will tomorrow.. when I pick up some cleaner!)

But.. just thought I'd show you a screenshot of the comp after a quick 5 minute game of quake. on the cab (I don't recommend FPS on a cab, btw)

Do these numbers appear odd to you? The mobo looks pretty cool.

d.

tommy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2005, 09:48:59 pm »

Try putting a mini ac unit in your cab, that should really cool things down, and on those really hot days you could hang out inside your cabinet.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2005, 10:07:44 pm »

Great idea! BUT. I'd need a 4 player sized cab for that!!

d.

flyguy1821 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2005, 11:02:56 pm »

Heres a stupid question. Should there be fans blowing in and out in the cab, just in, or just out? This is like a "I'm standing too close to the picture" sort of thing.

cdbrown · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2005, 11:08:09 pm »

You have 4 case fans in your machine - is that the cab machine or the pc case you are talking about?

Have you tested it with the pc outside of the cab?

Can you leave the machine off for a while to let it cool, then boot it up, go into the bios and see what the mobo is reading the temps as, leave this idle for a little while to see what's happening.

Make sure the 4 fans are doing what you expect them to do - 2 intakes, 2 exhausts. I have seen a fan or two installed backwards before and it creates more problems due to the fans blowing against each other and drawing more power.

The layer of Arctic 5 should be very thin for optimum transfer of heat.

DreamWeb · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2005, 11:55:15 pm »

The fans are all in the PC case.

Two blowing in. 1 Blowing out the back. And one blowing down from the top of the case on to the CPU itself (there's no hole in the top of the case... so it's probably not doing a whole lot)

d.

cdbrown · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2005, 12:17:24 am »

so it sounds like you are blowing all that hot air at the top of the case over the cpu fan and heatsink creating more problems. Disconnect that fan and see how it goes.

Is there a way of moving that top fan to the back so it also exhausts?

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:34:39 am »

A little note about fan noise...

Try using a blower type fan instead. These are usually a lot quieter and move a Lot of air very quickly. Not the little bitty pc version... but an industrial one.

You can find these in surplus places. maybe on ebay too... (hmm, prices on ebay seem a bit high). You might also try the junkyard.

Theres a few portable blowers for cheap out there... although, not sure how long the motors in them are made to last. If anything, you might be able to rig another heavier duty motor to drive the assembly if it fails.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20612&item=4373776740&rd=1

The pc hard drive blowers are too small to move enough air for a cabinet.

Also, remember that Pc case fans are usually only under 1" deep. This means the fan blades are even smaller. If you look at an arcade fan... they are almost 2" in depth. The larger blades move a Lot more air. Pc fans are also not really cut out for the job of cooling an
entire arcade cab.

You can find the industrial fans in things like old high end printers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36324&item=7508028809&rd=1

Lilwolf · « **Reply #24 on:** April 20, 2005, 08:19:03 am »

CRAP! did you look at those printer fans? What are the edges for? make sure the finger comes off?

btw, I have one of those type of fans. moves a HUGE amount of air... and I put my thumb in it one time and it did a HUGE amount of damage!

MAKE SURE YOU GET A GRILL FOR WHATEVER ONE YOU GET once they are bigger then the pc fans!

daywane · « **Reply #25 on:** April 20, 2005, 09:01:22 am »

Is there any cherping going on? (pc worning)
I had a heat problem once. turned out the bracket that held the heat sink down was broke on on side. leating the heat sink lift up. to bad i found the problem after the CPU died

Ghoward · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2005, 10:36:11 am »

I have 4 110v fans in my system 2 blow air in at the bottom and 2 blow air out at the top. I run them at half speed using a fan speed control and it cools the system great. My pc is in case and runs as cool as if it was outside the cab.

Gary

RayB · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:14:09 pm »

OK your solution here is NOT more fans. In fact, you should not have more fans blowing IN than you do blowing out. All that does is bring in more air than your system can blow out.

You obviously have a technical problem (not fan). Your CPU should NOT be reaching such high temps. I posted in another thread about the similar problems I was having, and i have an AMD 2400+ just like you...

...It turned out I had the heatsink on wrong. It should have been rotated 180'. Maybe you also have yours on the wrong way too. If it's on the wrong way, only half the chip is getting proper cooling.

So check that. You'll also have to clean off the paste and put on a new thin layer of silver paste before you put the heatsink/fan combo back on.

Next thing, make sure you're not overclocking. I had a terrible time figuring out the proper BIOS config. In the end, it's best to keep it on AUTO and same for your memory. You DO know that your 2400+ should be reading "2000mhz", NOT 2400mhz, right???

Flinkly · « **Reply #28 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:39:09 pm »

frankly, for the noise issue, you should only have fans blowing in or out, not both. i suggest out in a case like this. do leave proper holes for air to come in, and cover with some nice grill or filter, to keep the crap out. other than that, you should have fans on your pc board to kick the air away. also, i wouldn't suggest keeping everything in the case, but thats your call.

dan57fina · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2005, 04:19:11 pm »

try this

http://www.g4tv.com/screensavers/features/49994/Yoshis_Mod_Tip_Cheap__Easy_Cooling.html

should do the trick

Ghoward · « **Reply #30 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:13:48 pm »

Quote from: Flinkly on April 20, 2005, 01:39:09 pm

frankly, for the noise issue, you should only have fans blowing in or out, not both.

bionicbadger · « **Reply #31 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:16:14 pm »

Get a big box fan (20" or 24") and put it in the back of your cabinet and turn it on low, they move lots of air and when they are on low they are pretty quiet. And no one will see it in the back of your cabint, and they are pretty cheap.

teetu · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2005, 11:16:48 pm »

eh, just water cool it

but seriously, ducting will help tremendously. Just keep in mind the positioning of your fans- you want to create a flow in your cab. This may be difficult to acheive considering how large the cab is, but try the ducting it should do the trick

Katana Man · « **Reply #33 on:** April 29, 2005, 05:47:20 pm »

Today's computer CPU's are certainly hotter than in the past. One of the first things I did was add good ventilation to my cabinet.

Franco · « **Reply #34 on:** April 29, 2005, 05:57:10 pm »

Two sucking in, two blowing out. Does it for me!

Wulfster · « **Reply #35 on:** April 29, 2005, 09:05:12 pm »

I too had overheating issues (shutting down), and I also had the heatsink on backwards (rotated 180 degrees). The heatsinks for AMD processors are offset and you have to make sure you have it on the right way.


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Author Topic: Cabinet Cooling (Read 6392 times)

jaydog

Rick Osborn

Bren R.

tommy

Franco