The results... an average 22deg temperature drop on P2-300!
Thank you Brett "3 Fingers"
Jacobs for inspiring me to finally get this done. I saw his cooling project using
a couple of Radio Shack blowers and got motivated to finish my own project. I had
bought the same blower about 9 months ago thinking of using it to cool my Voodoo
1 and never got around to it.
I upgraded to a P2 266 and put a CoolTec heatsink fan on it, the guy at the computer
show said it was good! hehe. I should have guessed that $7.00 was a clue ;) Ah that's
not fair, the CoolTec isn't that bad, I am overclocking a 266 to 300 and it is still
within Intel's thermal spec using the CoolTec heatsink. I just don't like running
any processor over 110F.
The CoolTec was averaging 122F with highs of 132F not good enough for me.
I should note that I use a cheap Radio Shack temp monitor that works great for
a reference point. The probe is right at the center of the heat sink with a couple
of fins bent tightly around the probe tip. I envy Dan Chadwick of
TweakIt.com (domain is now racing related) with his Fluke multimeter but at this time
$600 is not in the budget. Although, I am considering a Protek 506 digital multimeter
that has an RS-232 interface, it comes with temp probe and software, all for $208.00
hmm Christmas? ;)
The main goal of this project was to get cooler outside room air straight to
the CPU.
1-1/4" CP12 conduit fitting super glued to the front of the heatsink faceplate
and the tube is for an automobile air cleaner. I got the flex tube from Discount
Auto Parts for $1.99, just ask for an air cleaner choke heater tube. PVC fittings
will not fit the tube, the conduit is the only thing that I found to fit. You could
epoxy the tube to the heat sink but that is a lot more work than super glue and
the fitting is only .39 cents.
Click the above image for larger image that shows the temp monitor.
The blower is double back taped to the drive cage and plain old packaging tape
was used to seal the back and sides of the drive cage so the fan would draw only
outside room air. This obviously won't work if you have hard drives mounted in these
bays. :(( your on your own to figure out how to get outside room air, try 5.25"
bays if you have any to spare.
For more pictures of the Radio Shack Blower check out Brett
"3 Fingers"
Jacobs' site (no longer exists) and read his review on the blower while your there.
Much better than 122F - 132F
I am still experimenting with filters, right now I am using a 1/4 thick piece
of charcoal air conditioner filter. This is an Enlight 7237 ATX cabinet, much better
than the older 7230. Enlight eliminated the funky electrical contacts in the 7230
front bezel, now when you remove the bezel you are able to press the reset and power
buttons and the LED's work with the bezel off too. One of the few mid towers available
with 4 exposed 5-1/4" drive bays.
Note: The cooling projects are not over. I am going to continue experimenting
and documenting temp changes with various fan arrangements, fans, and dust filters.
So, stay tuned for updates.
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Disclaimer:
The necessary legal mumbo. You assume all responsibility
for any problems you may have resulting from these instructions. Makeitsimple
and Larry Mingus shall not be held responsible for any damages or loss caused
by these instructions.
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