2011-03-23, 15:32
Update on the fan for the mini-itx builds:
I first tried a Scythe S-flex 120mm, 800rpm. Worked great, sounded great - but it didn't fit. I could wedge it in there and it sat looking quite nice and snug. I even removed the ridge from the bottom of the case, the one used to stabilize the HD rail, when it is mounted in the vertical position.
When I turned it on it was clear it was a little too snug and the mounting "dimples" for the hard drive on the top rail were deforming the fan frame just enough to jam the blades. (I mounted it as seen here, from Silent PC Review):
SEE POST BELOW FOR PICTURE
Next I got a Sycthe Slipstream Slim 120mm, 1200 rpm. It clearly doesn't move as much air and at 1,200 rpm it is too loud. But it fits. And even better, it fits on the opposite side; when set to blow in, aimed at the GPU heatsink, it reduces the GPU from 51 to 41 degrees C, as well as providing 5 degrees of cooling for the CPU and some noticeable cooling for the HD, which I have laying on the floor of the case in front of the mobo.
So now I'm left wanting a "full" thickness fan that will mount like the one in the picture. I'm not sure what else I could do aside from dremmelling the HD mount dimples. Has anyone successfully mounted a fan like seen in the picture?
I first tried a Scythe S-flex 120mm, 800rpm. Worked great, sounded great - but it didn't fit. I could wedge it in there and it sat looking quite nice and snug. I even removed the ridge from the bottom of the case, the one used to stabilize the HD rail, when it is mounted in the vertical position.
When I turned it on it was clear it was a little too snug and the mounting "dimples" for the hard drive on the top rail were deforming the fan frame just enough to jam the blades. (I mounted it as seen here, from Silent PC Review):
SEE POST BELOW FOR PICTURE
Next I got a Sycthe Slipstream Slim 120mm, 1200 rpm. It clearly doesn't move as much air and at 1,200 rpm it is too loud. But it fits. And even better, it fits on the opposite side; when set to blow in, aimed at the GPU heatsink, it reduces the GPU from 51 to 41 degrees C, as well as providing 5 degrees of cooling for the CPU and some noticeable cooling for the HD, which I have laying on the floor of the case in front of the mobo.
So now I'm left wanting a "full" thickness fan that will mount like the one in the picture. I'm not sure what else I could do aside from dremmelling the HD mount dimples. Has anyone successfully mounted a fan like seen in the picture?