Posts: 10
Joined: Mar 2011
Reputation:
0
For the mini-ITX builds, with the Apex MI-100 case... which direction is everyone running the fans?
I have my HD in the bottom of the case, up in front of the mobo to allow nice airflow over the cpu and gpu heatsink from one side of the case to the other. I'm running currently without any case fan; it's running pretty cool, but I am going to add a fan to hopefully further reduce the speed on my CPU cooler, for reduced noise (the intel cooler is pretty noisy).
Initially I assumed I would place the fan blowing out to induce air to flow in and over the mobo from the far side, and out the other side. But... with the PS already blowing out (and on my build take taking some flow directly from the CPU cooler, as it sits directly on top of it), I am thinking now it may be better to use the 120mm case fan as an intake fan, creating positive pressure, and maybe reducing dust buildup with a filter. Flow over the mobo would be reduced, but it might be good in the sense that it doesn't interfere with the CPU -> PS exaust flow that's already going on. Thoughts?
[For those that aren't familiar, the vent holes are on either side of the box in this case, with the PS intake fan (sitting on top of and in contact with the CPU cooler) blowing out the back]
Posts: 10
Joined: Mar 2011
Reputation:
0
2011-03-23, 15:32
(This post was last modified: 2011-03-23, 16:39 by PeaPodDoggy.)
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?
Posts: 8,569
Joined: Nov 2010
Reputation:
202
eskro
Posting Freak
Posts: 8,569
i dont have that case but i know that many mounted a 120mm x 25mm fan on their
APEX MI-100 case...
so for your case,,, i dunno,,, sorry :/
was it a 120mm x 35mm fan ??
Posts: 8,569
Joined: Nov 2010
Reputation:
202
eskro
Posting Freak
Posts: 8,569
ok but, the case is not APEX MI-100 right?
cuz i know they fit on it!
Posts: 10
Joined: Mar 2011
Reputation:
0
Thanks for the link.
I dunno what the issue is. On one hand it's obvious that others have the fan running fine. On the other there wasn't any way the fan was going to work correctly.
One interesting thing is that in this picture you can see how the fan frame is bowed down from the HD mounting dimple. Now, with the stock PS in place, you couldn't even fit the fan that far back, so that's not a realistic placement for most. But even with the fan centered on the two dimples - where they should lest impact the frame - I was getting too much frame pressure to allow the blade to spin.
I'm going to try another fan and see. I'm convinced it should fit and I'm determined to figure out how I can make it, or at least why it won't.