Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 24

Thread: Space between fan and casing?

  1. #1
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Space between fan and casing?

    Does it matter if a fan unit has any space between itself and what it's cooling?

    I'm thinking of placing two 80mm fan units in front of my HDD cage, but between the cage itself and the fan units, there is no space, maybe few mm's at best? But there are holes in the HDD caging to allow air to move through. There is space in front of the fans through, there is an 120mm fan unit in front of them both.

    Do you think this be a problem or is workable?

    Last edited by IronWarrior; 23-01-2012 at 01:22 AM.

  2. #2
    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Gateshead
    Posts
    15,196
    Thanks
    1,231
    Thanked
    2,291 times in 1,874 posts
    • scaryjim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Dell Inspiron
      • CPU:
      • Core i5 8250U
      • Memory:
      • 2x 4GB DDR4 2666
      • Storage:
      • 128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon R5 230
      • PSU:
      • Battery/Dell brick
      • Case:
      • Dell Inspiron 5570
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 15" 1080p laptop panel

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Need pics to give a definitive answer really. When you say there's a 120mm "fan unit" in front of the fans, do you mean there's an actual fan there? Or just space for one? And how many / what size holes are in the drive bay cage that it's trying to blow into? If the fans are running then air will move, but it might not move where you want it to

    Like I say, some pics would really help.

  3. Received thanks from:

    IronWarrior (23-01-2012)

  4. #3
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    Need pics to give a definitive answer really. When you say there's a 120mm "fan unit" in front of the fans, do you mean there's an actual fan there? Or just space for one? And how many / what size holes are in the drive bay cage that it's trying to blow into? If the fans are running then air will move, but it might not move where you want it to

    Like I say, some pics would really help.
    Here is a photo, the rack will house 6 HDD's. As you see, I added a 80mm fan unit just to get measurements, there is space for a second one next to it. In front of it, the 120mm fan goes to bring air in into the PC, think there is half a inch between the main casing and the bezel that houses the 120mm front fan.

    Between the HDD cage and the 80mm fan unit, think there is 5mm or 7mm gap between the two.



    Also worried if the two 80mm fans will cause any problems with the 120mm fan, they all be sucking, so from one fan into the next, should have nice air flow?

  5. #4
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    what he said. +signing up to thread for when pics arrive.

  6. #5
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by ik9000 View Post
    what he said. +signing up to thread for when pics arrive.
    Picture added.

  7. #6
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    and as if by magic there they were. What do you want the 80mm fans to do?

  8. #7
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by ik9000 View Post
    and as if by magic there they were. What do you want the 80mm fans to do?
    Well, with the 120mm in front and the two 80mm's behind, I was thinking a turbine effect would happen with air being blown into the case at a faster rate then with just the 120mm fan on it's own.

    The 120mm fan is an Coolermaster SickleFlow.

  9. #8
    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Gateshead
    Posts
    15,196
    Thanks
    1,231
    Thanked
    2,291 times in 1,874 posts
    • scaryjim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Dell Inspiron
      • CPU:
      • Core i5 8250U
      • Memory:
      • 2x 4GB DDR4 2666
      • Storage:
      • 128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon R5 230
      • PSU:
      • Battery/Dell brick
      • Case:
      • Dell Inspiron 5570
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 15" 1080p laptop panel

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    I personally wouldn't put fans there. The 120mm fan will blow air into the case through that space anyway - the 80mm fans won't add much to the air coming in to the case (they'll just pull the air in that the 120mm fan is *already* blowing in that direction). Plus the drive bay is basically solid down the sides - the gaps are very small and won't really allow good airflow, so all the air those 80mm fans are blowing will just flow outwards and along the case side panels.

    If you're looking to get more airflow across the drives, I'd personally cut a couple of 80mmm fan holes in the side panel of the case so you can mount the fans on the side panel, blowing *across* the case and straight through the drive bay. Either that, or perforate the sides of the drive bay (although drilling that many holes will be a long and dull process!).

  10. Received thanks from:

    IronWarrior (23-01-2012)

  11. #9
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    I personally wouldn't put fans there. The 120mm fan will blow air into the case through that space anyway - the 80mm fans won't add much to the air coming in to the case (they'll just pull the air in that the 120mm fan is *already* blowing in that direction). Plus the drive bay is basically solid down the sides - the gaps are very small and won't really allow good airflow, so all the air those 80mm fans are blowing will just flow outwards and along the case side panels.

    If you're looking to get more airflow across the drives, I'd personally cut a couple of 80mmm fan holes in the side panel of the case so you can mount the fans on the side panel, blowing *across* the case and straight through the drive bay. Either that, or perforate the sides of the drive bay (although drilling that many holes will be a long and dull process!).
    Ah that's what I needed to know.

    I did think about mounting the 80mm's at the side as well, but since these two spots was already in place and designed for that purpose, I thought maybe it be a good idea.

    Thank you!

  12. #10
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by IronWarrior View Post
    Well, with the 120mm in front and the two 80mm's behind, I was thinking a turbine effect would happen with air being blown into the case at a faster rate then with just the 120mm fan on it's own.

    The 120mm fan is an Coolermaster SickleFlow.
    I don't think it would achieve a turbine effect. You'd get into problems with the slower fan not being to supply air quickly enough, or vent air quickly enough to balance the faster fan (depending which was faster). You'd just introduce a barrier to airflow rather than an improvement. It's why you should always match fans on a push-pull CPU cooler.

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    I personally wouldn't put fans there. The 120mm fan will blow air into the case through that space anyway - the 80mm fans won't add much to the air coming in to the case (they'll just pull the air in that the 120mm fan is *already* blowing in that direction). Plus the drive bay is basically solid down the sides - the gaps are very small and won't really allow good airflow, so all the air those 80mm fans are blowing will just flow outwards and along the case side panels.

    If you're looking to get more airflow across the drives, I'd personally cut a couple of 80mmm fan holes in the side panel of the case so you can mount the fans on the side panel, blowing *across* the case and straight through the drive bay. Either that, or perforate the sides of the drive bay (although drilling that many holes will be a long and dull process!).
    drilling holes with a decent drill bit will be simple enough, provided you want to take the time. I'm about to let rip on an old HP machine. I just need a clear w/e to do it.

  13. Received thanks from:

    IronWarrior (23-01-2012)

  14. #11
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Do you think it's worth cutting out the metal beam that holds the 80mm fans? It's directly behind the 120mm fan.

    Here is a photo that was taken a long time ago when I was cleaning it, you can see the old 120mm fan, it's directly in front of the metal beam, maybe removing it would be best?



    Last edited by IronWarrior; 23-01-2012 at 03:40 AM.

  15. #12
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    oh i see - the HDD cage actually has mounts for 80mm fans. Get a pair of slimline 80mm fans eg:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/80mm-...00rpm-with-pwm

    They're only 15mm thick.

    Also, chop some of the ghastly profiled metal out of the way. Gimmicky and just adds noise to the situation. A fine mesh performs far better. The structural strength of the drive cage is in the vertical posts - don't chop these. And avoid chopping out any places where the HDD itself is supported for at least 2.5x the diameter of any screw hole/opening to avoid the screw tearing out.

    The panel may add some bracing to the front - leave the following arrangement in to attempt to preserve this:
    Last edited by ik9000; 23-01-2012 at 04:01 AM.

  16. Received thanks from:

    IronWarrior (23-01-2012)

  17. #13
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Looking back, I am very confused. is that panel to the front of the case or just to the HDD enclosure?

    With the HDD orientated front to rear in the case as your post #11 they will get cooling from the front fan and there's no need to mod the case per-say unless grill induced noise is becoming an issue. The comments about not using too many fans inline still stands.

    If however the 80mm fans can be positioned away from the 120mm ones and are mounted on the HDD enclosure itself, then this could be beneficial, provided they are far enough away from the 120mm front case fan.

    Clear as mud? Time for bed methinks.

  18. Received thanks from:

    IronWarrior (23-01-2012)

  19. #14
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by ik9000 View Post
    oh i see - the HDD cage actually has mounts for 80mm fans. Get a pair of slimline 80mm fans eg:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/80mm-...00rpm-with-pwm

    They're only 15mm thick.

    Also, chop some of the ghastly profiled metal out of the way. Gimmicky and just adds noise to the situation. A fine mesh performs far better. The structural strength of the drive cage is in the vertical posts - don't chop these. And avoid chopping out any places where the HDD itself is supported for at least 2.5x the diameter of any screw hole/opening to avoid the screw tearing out.

    The panel may add some bracing to the front - leave the following arrangement in to attempt to preserve this:
    Them fans are nice, wish I saw them before, but these are rated 37CFM and my CM SickleFlow is rated at 69CFM, so like you said, wouldn't these fans make a barrier?

    Never thought about cutting the ghastly parts out before, good idea! I be doing that tomorrow as well.

  20. #15
    Kendoka - Kendo For Life! IronWarrior's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    931
    Thanks
    63
    Thanked
    60 times in 49 posts

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    Quote Originally Posted by ik9000 View Post
    Looking back, I am very confused. is that panel to the front of the case or just to the HDD enclosure?

    With the HDD orientated front to rear in the case as your post #11 they will get cooling from the front fan and there's no need to mod the case per-say unless grill induced noise is becoming an issue. The comments about not using too many fans inline still stands.

    If however the 80mm fans can be positioned away from the 120mm ones and are mounted on the HDD enclosure itself, then this could be beneficial, provided they are far enough away from the 120mm front case fan.

    Clear as mud? Time for bed methinks.
    The HDD cage is at the front of the case, but there is the black bezel unit that attaches to the main case that houses the 120mm fan and power switches etc.

    The case normally has the HDD cage facing forwards with the HDD ports at the rear into the motherboard.

    I'm going to rolate the lower 3.5" cage sideways, so the HDD's are mounted sideways which keeps the cable out of view in the panel area that can't be seen, the 5.2" cage is staying as it is.

    More photos of the case can be found here: http://www.mypc.game-maps.net/case

    So to sum up, where you have marked the blue, cut all that away? But just leave some beams at the top and bottom?

    Good night, thanks for the help so far!
    Last edited by IronWarrior; 23-01-2012 at 04:23 AM.

  21. #16
    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    7,334
    Thanks
    1,680
    Thanked
    1,279 times in 955 posts
    • ik9000's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P7H55-M/USB3
      • CPU:
      • i7-870, Prolimatech Megahalems, 2x Akasa Apache 120mm
      • Memory:
      • 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance 2133 11-11-11-27
      • Storage:
      • 2x256GB Samsung 840-Pro, 1TB Seagate 7200.12, 1TB Seagate ES.2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 1GB SuperOverClocked
      • PSU:
      • NZXT Hale 90 750w
      • Case:
      • BitFenix Survivor + Bitfenix spectre LED fans, LG BluRay R/W optical drive
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2414h, U2311h 1920x1080
      • Internet:
      • 200Mb/s Fibre and 4G wifi

    Re: Space between fan and casing?

    mod it at your own risk

    cut out little bits and check for integrity, stability as you go. Don't just do one big chop-out and then find the thing has become too flimsy/wobbly etc. Even if you just get it down to 2 X's (with the vert bar up the middle and horizontals top and bottom) it should give better airflow through it.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •