5 replies to this topic

[ViriiGuy]

Hello,

Working in computers for the last 13 years, I have noticed one thing
over and over and over. Too many PC's die simply because the hot
air inside them had no where to go.

In general computers generate a good ammount of heat, and this same
heat will cause failure in your componets very early on in their life. So
what we want to do is this, we want to make sure that your PC has a
fresh supply of clean cool air.

(Note!!!! This does require you are inside you PC case... Stay grounded
and try not to touch anything you dont need to touch)

(Second Note!!! This is aimed at ATX Mid-Tower cases. The layout is fairly standard for this layout.)

First things first, unplug your computer from the wall.

Ok if you take the case side off your PC, usually on the left side, with two
screws holding it on. If you remove this you will notice most likely that your
power supply is at the top back of the case, (big silver box likely) and your
CPU is right underneath it. Now these two items generate the majority of
the heat in your system. Not all, but most of it. So what we want to do is
direct this heat out of the case in the most direct route.

Most ATX power supplies have an 80mm fan in the back. On MOST of them
this fan blows air out into the room. If this is not the case you should take apart
your power supply and turn the fan around so it blows out. Also if your power
supply has long slots cut into the case all the way around, you can take a flat
head screwdriver and bend every other fin out. Do this by placeing the flathead
behind a fin and slightly turning it each direction. You will see the fin buckle out
and the fin next to it buckle in. Do this all the way around. Do so will allow more
air into your power supply.

Now on the front bottom of your case SHOULD be a place or two for mounting
an 80mm fan or two. you will notice it by the perforated metal and 4 screw holes.
If so great, put 1 or 2 80mm fans in this location, with them pulling air in from the
outside front of the case. If you case does not have a spot for these, a quick
google search will bring up many how-to's on drilling your case for a new fan.

On the back of your case, beside your back panel for all your ports is likely a spot
for another 80mm fan. If so place a fan or two there, blowing out again. What this
does is create a path of fresh air that flows over your motherboard and CPU pulling
the heat along behind it.

Quick and Dirty I know, but this gives you the basic information with which to
start your own computer case mods.

ViriiGuy

[MarkBla]

The best is, before you even start, to touch something that is connected with the ground, so all the static energy in you, left your body, so you can't screw your pc with working with it.

[twitch]

Great how-to. Fortunately, the only major hardware problem I had was an old Win'95 machine's powerpack blew up. They make some pretty decent sparks lol.

I thought that it would be a better idea if there was a fan on top, that sucked the warm air out, as heat rises.

[abhiram]

I got a better idea ... get rid of the side panel altogether . Makes it easier to fix and remove your hard drives and plenty of air circulation all around. Or atleast, it won't die of overheating .

On a more serious note, cool howto. These are some easy points that anyone can do to their PC case.

[InitialDriveGTR]

Just as add-on to what ViriiGuy said about the heat generated inside a computer, a pentium 4 generates around 84 watts of heat on it's 1.12 x 1.12 CM die, while a houshold clothes iron generates about 10 watts per square centimeter. That is one heck of alot of heat.

[Kardus]

Great guide. Thanks. Ducting your CPU fan firectly out of your case also helps a lot.