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[Axle_Gear]

So I finally managed to get a custom-built computer working, and it's a right cute little thing.



However, as is often the case with such a small box being used for gaming, heat build up is an issue.  Since the stock CPU fan is making a high-pitched vibrating noise that's driving me nuts, I'm looking into alternatives.  I'm also considering a slightly ambitious project to cut a hole in the top of the case to add a fan to help vent heat slightly.

I'm kind of considering trying to kill two birds with one stone and use a liquid-based CPU cooler, and mounting the radiator/fan to said hole to be made in the top of the case.  Unfortunately, whatever I use is going to have to be pretty oddly shaped; say 80x160 mm at the largest for radiator/fan portion.  I've already taken a look around and found nothing that would work.  Does such a size/shape liquid cooler exist?

[TheRacker]

Can you show the internal layout of the case?  And generally closed loop coolers like the H80 are no quieter than a regular heatsink.

[Axle_Gear]

TheRacker, on 25 February 2013 - 03:59 AM, said:

Can you show the internal layout of the case?  And generally closed loop coolers like the H80 are no quieter than a regular heatsink.

This is about the best I can do in short order.  To see any more I would have to remove the power supply:



As you can see, between the HDD, the video card, and the power supply, there's not a lot of room for airflow.  Unforunately, it's not like I can rearrange things to work any better.

And in regards to noise levels; the stock CPU fan I'm using now is 'defective' levels of loud, as in louder than it should reasonably be.  Unless the alternative also makes a high-pitched vibrating noise, or happens to be a leaf-blower, I should be fine.

[777300ER]

Axle_Gear, on 25 February 2013 - 04:32 AM, said:

This is about the best I can do in short order.  To see any more I would have to remove the power supply:



As you can see, between the HDD, the video card, and the power supply, there's not a lot of room for airflow.  Unforunately, it's not like I can rearrange things to work any better.

And in regards to noise levels; the stock CPU fan I'm using now is 'defective' levels of loud, as in louder than it should reasonably be.  Unless the alternative also makes a high-pitched vibrating noise, or happens to be a leaf-blower, I should be fine.

Why did you choose that case?

[Axle_Gear]

777300ER, on 25 February 2013 - 05:36 AM, said:

Why did you choose that case?

Space is aggressively limited in my house.  Plus I kinda liked the look of it.  Not terribly good reasons, but there it is.

I'm observing that when I run the machine with the side panel off (it's perforated, anway), it runs at reasonable temperatures.  I'm thinking that extra bit of airflow out the top could really make a difference.

[Redstone PrO]

What processor are your running? noctua has some amazing low profile cpu coolers, theri NH-L9 series, There is a model for amd sockets and one for Intel LGA1156/1155/1150

[Axle_Gear]

I'm running with an Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor.

Edit:  Just drilled a few holes in the top plate for more ventilation, and they seem to almost compensate for putting the side cover back on.  I think sometime tomorrow I'm going to try perforating it more to see if that makes the difference.  To be honest I don't know why the manufacturer never considered it themselves.

[Doctapper]

Build a contraption to convert the thermal energy output (heat energy) generated from the electrical energy input (the stuff that makes your computer run) into some sort of fan device small enough to fit on the top/side of your case, the contraption should use the thermal energy to power the fan (you'll find a way) which will then hopefully turn it into kinetic energy (movement, in this instance, air particles moving around and the fan moving) which will then proceed to vent all the waste energy (thermal energy NOT being used) and keep the computer nice and cool.

Maybe (dunno if you want to/is possible/is worth it) buy some good Laptop fans off Amazon or Ebay or something, cut some holes in the case and install them to make it a little cooler, as I said, I have no clue if it would work!