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MAME Cabinet cooling fan question

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JIves:
Have built a typical MAME cabinet.  Built it large enough so that I will simply place the PC in its original housing within the cabinet.

I have two good size holes in the cabinet for speakers (concealed, of course) that should allow ventilation...

Here's the question: since the PC is in its original casing with operable fans, will I need extra fans on the cabinet itself?  I plan on leaving the system on the majority of the time.  My personal feeling on the issue is that the regular chasis fans should be good enough, since their should be adequate ventilation, but I'd be interested in hearing what others think, and hearing about experiences with similar issues...

Please copy responses to JimIves@earthlink.net

Thanks.

- Jim

slug54:
Jim
I would put  2 fans in your cab 1 at the top blowing out
and 1 at the bottom blowing in. If you don't eventually
all the air in your cab will be heated form your monitor and the exhaust air from your PC. If you have ever seen a pc that is in a computer desk that has a door but has no cut out in the back the air gets really hot quick.
buy a couple cheap louvered vents and a couple  of fans.
                             Jeff

darkmanx:
err  i think my last post on this disappeared but...i suggest what slug said, and in addition think about leaving the cover off of the case, and putting some screen like you would use on windows over the vent holes you made. this should keep out most of the dust and whatnot.

1UP:
And keep the screens clean!

Deefish:
I put three of the large radio shack fans in mine. Two blowing in at the bottom and one in the top blowing out. They where horribly loud! So for the time being I built in a switch to turn them on and off. I think it also depends where you are. If you are north where its alot cooler, you probably dont need much cooling. If you are in a hot humid climate you will need as much as you can stand. If I have the sound up and my cab (4.1 surround) I cant here the fans. I like to leave a game up and running all the time and if I turn down the volume to watch tv I can hear the fans all the way upstairs!! ( I really need a seperate game room) You really dont want your processesor to overheat. If its just a Pentium. I wouldnt worry to much, But a P3 or better will need it! Hope that helps.

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