I'm not done yet, but I figured I would start the thread off while I was waiting for my drill to charge again.
This is my first case mod that I've ever done. I'm pretty handy with tools and drills and such things as that, so I decided to give it a shot. I bought a new computer, and it kind of turned into a challenge to myself to see how cool I could keep it inside the case and on the different components.
Computer is E8400 CPU, 8800GT 512mb EVGA graphics card, MSI Platinum motherboard, 250 GB 16 mb cache Barracuda HD, 600 W Cooler Master Extreme PSU, 2x1 GB A.Data DDR2 800, Cooler Master case, and my old DVD drive from another computer.
I bought an aftermarket Rosewill 90 mm Ball CPU HSF. CPU came with a HSF of course, so I adapted that for service as an extra fan. I also bought a 90 mm cheap fan. The case came with a 120 mm in the back and 80 mm in the front bottom. PSU comes with 120 mm fan on the bottom. The video card of course comes with a HSF on it. To top off my extreme cooling kind of idea... my motherboard comes with some kind of cool toys. (I didn't even know it when I bought it) You'll see in the picture below (hopefully) that the mobo has a copper heatsink and heat tubing arrangement between the North bridge, South bridge, and a piece on the back that sits right in front of the 120 mm rear exhaust fan. The North bridge also has a small fan on it above the heatsink. The motherboard manual says it's optional (haha, not for me!!) to put the fan on.
The best part of my setup is that I'm building an intake/exhaust area for the video card. This keeps the airflow from my front and rear fans from moving the hot air from the exhaust of the video card back into the intake area of the video card (not good). I'm still not sure how this is all going to turn out, but I'll bring you all along on the journey with me.
Now for some preliminary pictures.
This is all the stuff laying on the floor, before my drill got to the case.
Another one of the stuff.
Here is the top of the case taped up and ready to be drilled.
The stock HSF adapted to be an exhaust fan. The enclosure around it is to forge the air out the front, instead of the sides.
The CPU air scoop that comes with the case. Stuck on the outside of the stock HSF to get the hot air away from the case and away from the intake of the graphics card.
The motherboard sitting inside the case with the new aftermarket cooler sitting in place (CPU isn't in there yet). You can see the copper heat tubing and fan for the North/south bridge areas.
Another image of the motherboard and CPU cooler.
There's more. But I think my drill is probably charged by now, so I'm gonna get back to work. Let me know if you want specific instructions about any parts, and pictures of anything in particular.
I'll be back.
This is my first case mod that I've ever done. I'm pretty handy with tools and drills and such things as that, so I decided to give it a shot. I bought a new computer, and it kind of turned into a challenge to myself to see how cool I could keep it inside the case and on the different components.
Computer is E8400 CPU, 8800GT 512mb EVGA graphics card, MSI Platinum motherboard, 250 GB 16 mb cache Barracuda HD, 600 W Cooler Master Extreme PSU, 2x1 GB A.Data DDR2 800, Cooler Master case, and my old DVD drive from another computer.
I bought an aftermarket Rosewill 90 mm Ball CPU HSF. CPU came with a HSF of course, so I adapted that for service as an extra fan. I also bought a 90 mm cheap fan. The case came with a 120 mm in the back and 80 mm in the front bottom. PSU comes with 120 mm fan on the bottom. The video card of course comes with a HSF on it. To top off my extreme cooling kind of idea... my motherboard comes with some kind of cool toys. (I didn't even know it when I bought it) You'll see in the picture below (hopefully) that the mobo has a copper heatsink and heat tubing arrangement between the North bridge, South bridge, and a piece on the back that sits right in front of the 120 mm rear exhaust fan. The North bridge also has a small fan on it above the heatsink. The motherboard manual says it's optional (haha, not for me!!) to put the fan on.
The best part of my setup is that I'm building an intake/exhaust area for the video card. This keeps the airflow from my front and rear fans from moving the hot air from the exhaust of the video card back into the intake area of the video card (not good). I'm still not sure how this is all going to turn out, but I'll bring you all along on the journey with me.
Now for some preliminary pictures.
This is all the stuff laying on the floor, before my drill got to the case.
Another one of the stuff.
Here is the top of the case taped up and ready to be drilled.
The stock HSF adapted to be an exhaust fan. The enclosure around it is to forge the air out the front, instead of the sides.
The CPU air scoop that comes with the case. Stuck on the outside of the stock HSF to get the hot air away from the case and away from the intake of the graphics card.
The motherboard sitting inside the case with the new aftermarket cooler sitting in place (CPU isn't in there yet). You can see the copper heat tubing and fan for the North/south bridge areas.
Another image of the motherboard and CPU cooler.
There's more. But I think my drill is probably charged by now, so I'm gonna get back to work. Let me know if you want specific instructions about any parts, and pictures of anything in particular.
I'll be back.
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