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Cab Cooling
AlanS17:
I used to have heat issues in my last cab, but only while playing Zinc games. As it turns out, the processor was fine, but the video card was flipping on on me. Just keep in mind that the processor isn't the only thing that gets hot.
In original hard drive-based games, a large PC case fan mounted to the wall was used to blow across the hard drive to cool it down. It was mounted a few inches from the drive. Vents at the top of the machine took care of rising heat. That's all they ever needed.
I would recommend removing the PC from its case, mounting it directly to the inside of the machine, and blow a big fan (or 2) across it. If you're still nervous, put another large exhaust fan at the top of the machine to blow the hot air back out.
If you don't have some sort of intake vent in the bottom of the machine, you'll probably want to put one in. Just make a big hole and cover it with wire mesh. And don't leave the machine sitting flat on carpet. That'll cover the vent and render it useless. If the machine is on carpet, use casters or leg levelers tog et it off the floor.
Sinner:
Most cabinets are not airtight...adding an intake and exhaust fan is crazy...think about how much noise it would cause...give the heat someplace to escape (vents at the top), and see if it overheats...if it does, then add an exhaust fan...cutting holes in the cab and addin multiple fans, sounds kind of overkill...removing the side of the PC case could help too...
AlanS17:
Ever heard more than a whisper come out of a Killer Instinct? I know I haven't. The fact is that large fans don't make much noise. At lower speeds they make even less. The amount of noise they would make is negligible.
He probably already has vents at the top for heat. Pretty much every machine does. Obviously, that hasn't worked for him.
If noise is a concern, then go ahead and add fans one at a time. But I don't think adding 2 fans ever hurt anybody. Heck most PC's have at least 2 fans.
First and foremost, though, I'd recommend taking that PC out of its case or at least opening up. People can make the argument all they want that you need the structure of the case to channel air flow, but it doesn't do much good if you're channeling hot air.
Sinner:
--- Quote from: AlanS17 on August 02, 2005, 02:05:43 pm ---Ever heard more than a whisper come out of a Killer Instinct? I know I haven't. The fact is that large fans don't make much noise. At lower speeds they make even less. The amount of noise they would make is negligible.
He probably already has vents at the top for heat. Pretty much every machine does. Obviously, that hasn't worked for him.
If noise is a concern, then go ahead and add fans one at a time. But I don't think adding 2 fans ever hurt anybody. Heck most PC's have at least 2 fans.
First and foremost, though, I'd recommend taking that PC out of its case or at least opening up. People can make the argument all they want that you need the structure of the case to channel air flow, but it doesn't do much good if you're channeling hot air.
--- End quote ---
He mentioned nothing of having vents in the top of his machine, and if it's a homemade cabinet, there is no guarantee that he has vents...so it in fact not "obvious" that it isn't working for him, it is obvious that we don't have enough information to make a diagnosis and suggest a treatment, of " Just make a big hole and cover it with wire mesh." and add two fans...
Why should he spend the money on fans if he doesn't need to?
Why should he spend the money on two fans, if one will do?
Maybe I just don't understand your thought process, but it seems like a waste of time and money to buy stuff and start cutting holes, when another less evasive method could provide the required results...what am I missing?
AlanS17:
What's the problem with cutting a hole in a bottom that no one will ever see? It can't hurt, but it can help.
How do you want to find out that 1 fan wasn't enough? The hard way? Last time I checked, overheating a PC was a bad thing.
We're not talking about avoiding a potential problem. We're talking about taking care of one that already exists. To go out completely during the summer months sound like a pretty serious heat issue to me. I don't think any less than substantial measures would fix it.
At least we both agree that vents on top are necessary. However, a vent on top is only halfway effective without a vent underneath. What happens when air rises out and no new air comes in? All you get is thinner hot air left in the cab. It'll never reach a vacuum, but it'll move towards that direction. In a vacuum, heat is dependant on radiation for dispersion. Convection is a much more efficient form of heat disspersion. That's why you need air flow. You won't get true air flow without some sort of cool air intake. Every PC has it, too - even the silent ones with vents on top.
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