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what fans for arcade cabinet?
lee123:
Hi,
I have just started my first arcade cabinet. I have done quite a bit of research and I am am progressing nicely.
the only subject I am not sure about is fans to cool the inside of the cabinet. I am using a PC tower and a CRT monitor inside the cabinet.
Are fans neccessary or should I just have a vent and should the vent be at the top or bottom?
If a fan is neccessary is it there to blow cold air in or warm air out?
Finnaly, if a fan should be used do you have any recommendations of which to use and where to get them? - I live in the UK.
thanks Lee
ahofle:
It's one of those hard to answer questions. It really depends on how hot it's going to get in your cabinet. I have a UAII cabinet which has openings in the back (overheating has never been a problem for me) so I haven't needed a fan. But if you decide you do need one, you want the fan up high blowing the warm air out, and a vent on the bottom typically. At least that's what I've read around here.
Havok:
The only fans I have are on my power supply and CPU - they are mounted directly to the inside of the cabinet. Overheating has never been a problem for me. I would suggest running without fans and monitor the cpu temperature - you can do this in the BIOS, or some manufacturers give you a program to run in the O/S...
Circo:
The only time that I have had problems with heat is interestingly enough the speakers. My cab has a 10" ligitech sub in it, and when playing music at high levels it will cut out. So I need to add a fan to keep the amp in the sub cool. As far as the computer or monitor... never had a problem with that.
somunny:
I also have a UAII that I installed two 120mm 12V fans in. They're pretty noisy though, so I never really use them. I think as long as you have some type of exhaust port towards the top of the cabinet for the warmer air to escape through, you shouldn't have any problems.
Steve