Need advice on what 120MM or 140MM fan to use!! Need to order today if possible!!

I need to get a fan for the build in this thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/pc-hardware/...ml#post2612881

A 120MM fan will fit over the hole which has a 13CM diameter. A 140MM fan will have the edges on the raised ridges of the case. I am using the passive copper cooler on an Intel E3300:

http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?t...odel=AK-CC7111

I am wondering what fan I should get?? I am orientating the fan to blow downwards to cool the CPU heatsink and chipset heatsink. I assume I would need a fan with decent static pressure and also airflow too,due to its proximity to the cooler.

Also,due to the colour scheme I intend to inplement I would like a black fan with white blades ideally,although an all white or black fan would do.

Scythe Gentle Typhoon would be my first choice for noise / performance but are black frame with grey blades
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...or-replacement
I have 3 of the 1850rpm version on my radiator and at 7v they are silent

Corsair SP range would be my second choice, they are black/black with an optional colour ring.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...in-single-pack
Not used but seen very good reviews

Third Choice if colour & price is a bigger driver than performance, I would consider Fractal Design 120mm 1200rpm Silent Case Fan
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...nt-series-rev2
Not used but seen good reviews

+1 for GTs.
Noise to performance they really are some of the best around.

Thanks for the suggestions!! Need it to be entirely black or black and white as if you look at the pictures the fan is mounted externally,and the case will be painted black.

Black and white would be the ideal colour scheme if possible.

Arctic F12, FD silent series r2 120mm or xigmatek CLF-F1254 :)

Does it really have to be externally mounted? Kinda hard to see why looking at those pics.

Perhaps one of those fans which is 140mm but with 120mm mounts would fit in?

Good ol trust sharkoon golfball fits the theme your are going after and they are pretty decent fans :)

This one is 13cm apparently
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/130mm...oling-case-fan

If you need black and white, then I've also heard good things about the Sharkoon Golfballs :)

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

Does it really have to be externally mounted? Kinda hard to see why looking at those pics.

Perhaps one of those fans which is 140mm but with 120mm mounts would fit in?

Good ol trust sharkoon golfball fits the theme your are going after and they are pretty decent fans :)

This one is 13cm apparently
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/130mm...oling-case-fan

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One of the Scythe 120MM slim fans which are 12MM high are the only fans which will fit internally. However,I am not sure whether cooling will be any good with the copper passive heatsink right underneath it.

So,I assume I will need decent static flow too??

A 140MM fan with fit fine,but since the hole has a diameter of 13CM,I wonder if there will be backflow issues??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeorgeStorm

If you need black and white, then I've also heard good things about the Sharkoon Golfballs :)

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I do have the Sharkoon 120MM on another rig. Are the newer ones with the different bearing any good:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/120mm...peed-cable-set

The older ones used a sleeve bearing.

This is a good website as you can sort by airflow etc:

http://quietpc.co.uk/120mmfans

Depends on the noise you'll put up with.
The scythe gentle typhoon are nice but they are not silent, at higher rpm they are very quiet compared to other fans of the same rpm but at lower rpm they are louder than other fans.
this is mainly due to the way they generate a higher pitched noise than most fans.

As you're pushing air into a small space, you'd want a higher static pressure fan, so the gentle typhoon is a nice choice, as would most high blade count fans, 9+ blades
That 130mm zalman looks good, I've used their fans in the past and they are good, also come with voltage resistor to drop the speed.

If you're just buying a single fan, have a look at specialtech as they do cheaper RM postage and have a good range of fans, accessory's and other small bits
I'd also pick up a filter and some rubber mounts ;)

Thanks again everyone. Would this Scythe fan have high enough static pressure:

http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products...0-mm-slim.html

It is 12MM high so will fit inside the case very tightly.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TH/Fanhole.jpg

Edit!!

The Zalman appears to be 135MM,but looks quite interesting!

Pressure from that one is low, but it would be nice to have anything contained inside the case. If it were me i would probably just go for it and keep and eye on the temps

perhaps also have a look at the bitfenix spectre pro

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-16587.html

I have a 230mm one in the front of my 650D and its pretty good. Wont fit into your case like :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

One of the Scythe 120MM slim fans which are 12MM high are the only fans which will fit internally. However,I am not sure whether cooling will be any good with the copper passive heatsink right underneath it.

So,I assume I will need decent static flow too??

A 140MM fan with fit fine,but since the hole has a diameter of 13CM,I wonder if there will be backflow issues??

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Honestly I think that you're overthinking it, whilst the e3300 has a TDP of 65w they don't use much more than 25w in real use. You should be fine with the slimline 120m fan.

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Originally Posted by Raikiri

Honestly I think that you're overthinking it, whilst the e3300 has a TDP of 65w they don't use much more than 25w in real use. You should be fine with the slimline 120m fan.

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but he's also running the geforce 9300 motherboard chipset and that runs hot.
However I do agree, it would be worth trying the scythe slim fan, if it turns out to not be good enough then a higher airflow/static pressure fan could be got instead.

It's probably a good idea to consider the air flow inside the box as well, you might need to cut some additional holes in it, if that one hole is the only hole then it doesn't matter how good the fan is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pob255

but he's also running the geforce 9300 motherboard chipset and that runs hot.
However I do agree, it would be worth trying the scythe slim fan, if it turns out to not be good enough then a higher airflow/static pressure fan could be got instead.

It's probably a good idea to consider the air flow inside the box as well, you might need to cut some additional holes in it, if that one hole is the only hole then it doesn't matter how good the fan is.

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The ends are open,and the front will have mesh. Not sure about the back though. The box is made of aluminium.

From the other thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/pc-hardware/...ml#post2618345

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Got Win8 Enterprise Retail Evaluation installed. So far this is what I am using:
E4300
Zotac 9300-ITX
2GB DDR2
60GB OCZ Vertex

It seems to run Win8 fine and have installed the latest Start8 which seems to work quite well.

ATM,I am using an Antec Tricool 120MM at its lowest settings and the CPU stays at between 48C to 50C when browsing the internet. It did get upto 60C when I was installing loads of things at the same time,which is almost the maximum temperature of the CPU,ie, 61.4C although I did not notice any throttling. The chipset has not hit higher than 45C.

I think with the E3300 installed,temperatures should hopefully be better.

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The fan is blowing downwards.

could you not put another fan on one of the open bits? Even if its only an 80/92mm one its better than nothing

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

could you not put another fan on one of the open bits? Even if its only an 80/92mm one its better than nothing

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The case is 26CM long,18CM wide and 6CM high,so there is not much space for any other fan!!:p

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...asepicture.jpg

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...sepicture2.jpg

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...sepicture3.jpg

Stick a couple of 60mm fans at the front blowing backwards? That'll make sure that the hot air vents out the back instead of hanging around in the case. You could stick them on limiters so they don't spin too fast and increase the noise. Let's be honest, *any* front to back airflow is going to help in that case ;) Alternatively you could try turning the fan round so it uses the top of the case as a blow-hole and see if that helps, but then you'll definitely want lots of mesh or you'll just fill the case with dust in no time...

As far as the back panel goes, personally I'd get some decorative mesh in either metal or plastic and cut my own vented rear cover just to finish it off :)

That's an epic build though CAT - nice to see an mitx build that really takes advantage of the small form factor :D

The problem is a lot easier to see now :D

Personally i think i probably would use the top as an extractor and stick some smaller fans limited on the side intaking, should keep the flow of air more natural and prevent air pockets.

When I get the E3300,I will see what the temperatures are like and move from there.

I should make a build thread TBH,but I thought I would stick some pictures of the progress I have made so far!! I decided to coat the chassis in 3M CF effect wrap - it did not go as well as I planned as the front and back edges look a bit crap!! The edges of the hole also were not great although I can hide this with the fan filter! :( Hence I will use the original end of the box to hide this which also helps to lock the two halves in place. I will probably paint the front - not sure what paint or coating would be suitable?? I need something easy to apply in an even coat on plastic.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TXPicture1.jpg

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TXPicture2.jpg

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TXPicture3.jpg

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...TXPicture4.jpg

I am not sure what do about the back!!

Got the E3300 on there now and used some Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound. The CPU runs very cool indeed!! Under 35C at idle and the heatsink feels very cool to the touch - in fact the chipset heatsink feels much warmer!!

The system also seemed to boot quicker with the E3300 and is more responsive too although this is a subjective assessment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Got the E3300 on there now and used some Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound. The CPU runs very cool indeed!! Under 35C at idle and the heatsink feels very cool to the touch - in fact the chipset heatsink feels much warmer!!

The system also seemed to boot quicker with the E3300 and is more responsive too although this is a subjective assessment.

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Internal Scythe it is then!

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

Internal Scythe it is then!

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Already ordered!!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

I am not sure what do about the back!!

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Buy some 1mm round perforated steel sheet from B&Q and cut a custom back plate :D You could use an existing IO shield as a template!

I'm not sure how big the holes are in that stuff, btw, I've not used it myself, but it looks cool and it would ensure you kept some airflow :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scaryjim

Buy some 1mm round perforated steel sheet from B&Q and cut a custom back plate :D You could use an existing IO shield as a template!

I'm not sure how big the holes are in that stuff, btw, I've not used it myself, but it looks cool and it would ensure you kept some airflow :)

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That looks pretty darn good!

I don't have the backplate for the Zotac motherboard!! :(

What are motherboard companies like for supplying lost backplates?

Have to say i hang on to mine like gold dust if i take a motherboard out so i have never had too.

Got mine secondhand off a mate who destroyed it while doing a build. Looking at the mesh - I only need a small amount.

Edit!!

Found some cheap mesh. OTH,I don't have a Dremel,so would metal shears be enough?? Not sure whether a jigsaw would be useful though.

think you might struggle to get a clean cut without decent tools, especially metal files. Might be a good idea to fashion together some kind of tool to give you a nice clean bend on the mesh.

If you live anywhere near me im happy to lend you my dremel and files :)

I can gain access to a lot of tools but not a Dremel or a band saw,put due to the shape of the case(curved edges) and the material,I am not sure of a jigsaw would do it! Would love to get a multi-tool,but the one I am looking at is like £60!!

Edit!!

Here is the mesh I am looking at:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-...item3a79a867a8

The steel mesh looks good,but I suspect will be harder to cut.

well you can only learn from trying things out and like i said, youre welcome to borrow my stuff if its feasible. PM me if your not comfortable announcing it to the world, hell il take you for a beer mate, least i can do for your service to this community :)

Thanks,Biscuit but it seems I like on the wrong side of the SE to a lot of Hexites!! Funnily,I do know Maidenhead though!! :p

Cannot believe Staines changed its name to Staines-upon-Thames!!

I think you'll find 1mm sheet metal tough to cut without a rotary tool tbh. Problem with a jigsaw is that the holes you need for the IO section are too small to do effectively with a jigsaw - they're more for big cuts. Best bet would probably be some good HSS metal bits in a variety of sizes, some metal files, and a hacksaw to shape the corners. You can chain drill a series of holes for the IO section and use the metal files to smooth all the edges, then cut the outside edge to the right shape for the case and screw it inot those circular channels that run along the edge of the case.

Hmmm, I might need to get Paint out to show you what I mean!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

I can gain access to a lot of tools but not a Dremel or a band saw.

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I've got a maplin dremel-like tool - used it to rectify the fan hole on your current case after my holesaw fell apart and ripped it to shreds! Bring this new build with you to the LAN next weekend and if you've got some mesh by then we can figure something out I'm sure.

The 120MM fan fits perfectly. I got the 2000RPM version which is noisy,so will reduce the speed down a bit.

The build is very much a work in progress still,but here are some new pictures.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...psce84179d.png

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0f95ac52.png

I used a 4N25,so that the LED is at full brightness.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7136c1f6.png

I have just stuck on the fan grill ATM,but hopefully I will get some double sided tape or foam.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps05f9b534.png

The fan just about fits.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...psb413fd4c.png

The system is actually not too noisy IMHO.

Very nice fit!
Are you going to try and mould the fan grille and hide the Motorola symbol somehow?

I measured the power consumption at the wall and at idle the PC was consuming just under 31 watts at the wall and around 66 watts under IBT.

It looks like at least I won't need a new DC-DC power block!! :)

Even under two IBT cycles the CPU was well under 60C!!

The system also makes very little noise too which is good.

I wonder if a 65W TDP A10-5700 based system would work fine in the case?? :p

Given my experience with the "100W" A6-3670k, possibly! Only question is whether the greater concentration of heat (i.e. the CPU and GPU all in the same packet) would cause a problem, as your current build has that heat spread out over 2 chips and therefore more heatsink.

I still reckon that's one heck of a build though - absolutely love it :) How did you install the OS - by booting from a USB stick?

I installed the OS using a DVD drive,I suppose I should try this new fangled USB stick install thingy next time!!:p

It does seem the SPCR power readings were accurate! I have the following DAS too:

http://www.edge10.com/technical_pdfs...et%20small.pdf

I am thinking of attaching the DAS via E-SATA to the PC and installing a suitable OS. I could then use it as a server.

Ooooh, nice piece of kit :)

The DAS200 is made by CFI and is essentially has the same case used by the VIA ARTiGO A2000 and M’SERV S2100:

http://www.viaembedded.com/en/produc...%28EOL%29.html

http://www.viaembedded.com/en/produc...%28EOL%29.html

I actually thought of modding that case instead,but the cost of the pico-ITX motherboards is too high,and most of the cheaper ARM boards seem to lack SATA. This ARM based board does have one SATA port:

http://techreport.com/news/23526/49-...-hdmi-usb-sata

However,it lack GbE.

What kind of throughput to do you using it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

What kind of throughput to do you using it?

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I don't have a server of any kind ATM(used a Shuttle G2 as one for a while),but I would only be doing backups,streaming stuff of it and the occasional download. The lack of SATA on most of the ARM based boards is the major issue for me.

So the DAS is USB... kinda limiting then :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

So the DAS is USB... kinda limiting then :(

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It has E-SATA too and so does the Zotac 9300 motherboard luckily!! :)

Ah cool, thats what you want then. i would be curious to know what transfer speeds it gives you as i have experienced some that only give you USB2.0 type bandwidths even on the E-SATA connection.

I have been using the PC this week for general purpose stuff. My Core i3 2100 with 8GB of RAM feels faster if I have many things running at the same time,but for general usage the system still seems reasonably quick. One thing that is slightly annoying is that Firefox appears to have some slight graphical issues and Chrome does not,so I wonder if this something down to the acceleration,as Nvidia has no Windows 8 drivers for the 9300 series IGP.

Temperatures are staying under 40C for both the CPU and the 9300 chipset,and this is with the fan speed reduced.