Cases with 120mm fans

Enclosures and acoustic damping to help quiet them.

Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Devonavar

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Ralf Hutter
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Sat Sep 25, 2004 12:08 pm

Edward Ng wrote:No problem for nice, light plastic fans.

Somewhat of a possible problem for heavier, aluminum Evercools.

Definitely a problem for radiator mounting; I'd never trust such a mounting to be rigid enough for such a heavy assembly as radiators+shroud+fan.

So, depending on your needs, it can be a non-issue, a nightmare, or anything in between.

-Ed
It would be no problem at all, even for something fairly heavy. This is .035" thick steel you're talking about here. It's not flimsy by any stretch.

Edward Ng
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Post by Edward Ng » Sat Sep 25, 2004 12:13 pm

Not the Tsunami. :)

burcakb
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Post by burcakb » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:38 pm

Ehe yeah, the Tsunami build looks very flimsy compared to the 3700AMB.

Ed, how about zipties? You could weave them through the strange holes and 4 of them would be strong enough to hold up a lot of weight.

You do need some very elastic rubber in between of course. I did mine with a hardish rubber and the vibration noise is terrible

Edward Ng
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Post by Edward Ng » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:55 pm

I've basically decided to go all out with mine...

I just drained and dismantled Gamma Three today, as a matter of fact; I've got its parts all over the place. I found a sheet metal fabrication shop in New Rochelle that I'll be visiting Monday morning with my Tsunami and the two Black Ice Pros that I need mounted; will get a quote from them.

I'm pretty sure it will be a lot cheaper than the quote I've gotten so far; the work may or may not come out as good (since this place doesn't specialize in case modding like the other person I got a quote from), but it should be more in the realm of affordable for me.

I've searched long and hard already for an alternate case that's small and light, easing portability, while being capable of fitting the two radiators (without significant modification work), and there's no such case on the market, so I've basically decided that this is my only route.

It's okay; for me, the opportunity to test out a liquid cooling system of the sort I have in mind will be worthy of it. I consider it a good opportunity to learn.

Ralf Hutter
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Sun Sep 26, 2004 5:20 am

Edward Ng wrote:Not the Tsunami. :)
Hah! Oh yeah...I forgot we're talking about a TT Aluminium case here. I take it back. :)

burcakb
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Post by burcakb » Mon Sep 27, 2004 4:00 am

burcakb wrote:Ed, how about zipties? You could weave them through the strange holes and 4 of them would be strong enough to hold up a lot of weight.
Well, I went ahead and tried it myself on my 3700AMB. Pics in links. It worked. both the wire grill and the fan are resting on the rubber lining (which is a bit of used windshield wiper :) Talk about cheap ) so no vibration transmissions anywhere. Everything is very tight, not the slightest bit of wiggling.

Pic 1:
http://www.burcakbaskan.com/ftp/Picture%20098.jpg

Pic 2:
http://www.burcakbaskan.com/ftp/Picture%20099.jpg

Pic 3:
http://www.burcakbaskan.com/ftp/Picture%20100.jpg

Edward Ng
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Post by Edward Ng » Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:16 am

Hey that came out quite good!

Very nice job...

Were I mounting just fans, that would work great, even on the aluminum Tsunami.

Speaking of which, I just dropped my Tsunami off at A-Plus (sheet metal) Fabricators in New Rochelle for mounting the rads. They say it should be done by Wednesday, which is pretty quick. Let's hope it comes out good!

I'll likely post pics in the water forum.

-Ed

Sleepy
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Post by Sleepy » Tue Sep 28, 2004 5:36 pm

Quick question, I was thinking of getting the Fong Kai FK-333. How can I fix the loose drive cage so there's no vibrations?

DrCR
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Post by DrCR » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:18 pm

Another to add to the list:

GMC H-60

http://www.gmc.co.kr/newgmc/english/pro ... /h60_2.gif



DrCR


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Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:23 pm

Have you seen the GMC H-60 for sale anywhere? If not, there's no reason to add it.

Edward Ng
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Post by Edward Ng » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:27 pm

DrCR wrote:Another to add to the list:

GMC H-60

http://www.gmc.co.kr/newgmc/english/pro ... /h60_2.gif



DrCR


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Dammit; I could've sworn that I have seen this one before some place...in a review or something...

rocarpen
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Post by rocarpen » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:46 pm

Hey, Katana Man...

Surely your list ought to include the Silverstone TJ06?

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-tj06.htm

Sporting a lovely CPU/RAM-encompassing wind-tunnel (with 21dba 120mm fans at each end) for all our quiet passive-cooling needs! Built outta sturdy steel (except for the aluminum front panel). Available now for about $150 (Canadian).

DrCR
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Post by DrCR » Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:40 am

Katana Man wrote:Have you seen the GMC H-60 for sale anywhere? If not, there's no reason to add it.
For the Aussies:
http://www.pccasegear.com/prod1591.htm

Don't know of a NorthAmerican Vendor right off. Will look into it.


DrCR

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nick705
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Post by nick705 » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:09 am

Katana Man wrote:Have you seen the GMC H-60 for sale anywhere? If not, there's no reason to add it.
It's widely available in the UK as well...PCWorld stock it (it's marketed as the Jeantech Phong). It's only £31.63 from their website... :D

Edward Ng
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Post by Edward Ng » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:21 am

That's it! The Phong! Now I remember; there was a review of it I saw somewhere. A search through the forums should yield the link to it.

-Ed

EDIT: Cha-ching!

Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Thu Sep 30, 2004 7:31 am

The list has been updated.

NeilBlanchard
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a request...

Post by NeilBlanchard » Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:49 am

Hello Katana Man:

What about a note/comment on the list of cases for whether the fan grills would need modifications or not in order to actually be quiet? Or, at least be reasonably quiet -- the BQE for example, is fine as is, but the Compucases or the TJ104 would need some tin-snipping action?! :o

DrCR
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Post by DrCR » Tue Oct 05, 2004 12:36 pm

For those looking for a pretty wild look but wanting 120mm intake and extake:

iCute JET SL Case (link)
Image

Not my tast; I go for the more pure and simple look. But I wanted to let everyone know about it all the same. This case or derivations of it are also sold under other names.


DrCR


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thezfunk
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Post by thezfunk » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:11 am

Hey guys you probably have answered this question before but I ask forgiveness. I am looking for a case with DUAL rear 120mm case fans for a watercooling project and I have looked and looked and I can't find any! Anyone have a suggestion?

Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Wed Oct 06, 2004 10:18 am

To go dual 120mm in the front or back, generally means you're moving away from mid tower cases into full tower cases. The Lite-On FS020 from coolcases.com might be a good choice for you. Watch out for negative air pressure. Negative air pressure will fight your PSU air flow.

Personally, I'd recommend dual front 120mm's which will allow for positive air pressure and help the PSU. I modified my Supermicro SC-750A to have maximum ventilation (low resistance) and positive air pressure.
Image. . . . Image

Image. . . . Image
This case is actually for sale because I don't need it. PM me if you are interested.

DrCR
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Post by DrCR » Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:40 pm

Katana Man wrote: Watch out for negative air pressure. Negative air pressure will fight your PSU air flow.
Ah, cool deal. I always though positive pressure was purely for dust reasons and couldn't figure out why some were so passionate about positive pressure. Makes since now, thanks! :)

DrCR

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Viggilyboy
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Post by Viggilyboy » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:32 pm

Hey Katana Man I have been looking for a case with good airflow and to be quiet also; so I saw your mod you did with the CompuCase LX-6A19 and knew that I had to have that case.I have a few questions about it.

1. Where did you buy the case from and how much is it? also

2. I really like the mesh front grill that is on yours but I have not seen any other pictures of that case with that grilll. Did you make it yourself or can you purchase it like that?

Thanks for the help

Sooty
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Post by Sooty » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:10 pm

Viggilyboy wrote:Hey Katana Man I have been looking for a case with good airflow and to be quiet also; so I saw your mod you did with the CompuCase LX-6A19 and knew that I had to have that case.I have a few questions about it.

1. Where did you buy the case from and how much is it? also

2. I really like the mesh front grill that is on yours but I have not seen any other pictures of that case with that grilll. Did you make it yourself or can you purchase it like that?

Thanks for the help
In Katana's own words.

Btw, the 6A19 is available with two different style front air grilles – one with about 7 small slots, another with about 10 larger slots. If you want to make an exact copy of Katana’s ‘Mean Machine’, you’ll need the 7 slot version.

Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Thu Oct 07, 2004 6:10 pm

Viggilyboy wrote:Hey Katana Man I have been looking for a case with good airflow and to be quiet also; so I saw your mod you did with the CompuCase LX-6A19 and knew that I had to have that case.I have a few questions about it.

1. Where did you buy the case from and how much is it? also

2. I really like the mesh front grill that is on yours but I have not seen any other pictures of that case with that grilll. Did you make it yourself or can you purchase it like that?

Thanks for the help
It's nearly impossible to find a black LX-6A19 in the USA unless you go to coolcases.com. They call it the D8000. That's where I got this case. However, I've also purchased many beige LX-6A19's from directron.com. It's hard to beat $39, and it comes with a 120mm fan!

Click here for a discussion thread on the low resistance, low fan speed, low noise technique. In that thread, I have pictures, materials, and links to various projects that I've done using that teqnique.

SevenRedSeven
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Post by SevenRedSeven » Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:52 am

The Avance Midi Server Series B03x is prepared for one 120 mm fan in the lower front.

canthearyou
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Post by canthearyou » Sun Oct 10, 2004 5:10 pm

On that Silverstone TJ06, the PSU cools the cards?

Megaweapon
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Re: Cases with 120mm fans

Post by Megaweapon » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:30 am

Katana Man wrote:Please help me by adding to this list if I am missing some
You can add the Raidmax Virgo 811 to that list. I brought it up in this thread a while ago.

Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:20 am

Thanks, I added it.

Laurent
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Post by Laurent » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:09 pm

The ARM Systems Stealth DIY kit uses some slightly custom version of the 4252, which has:

- 120mm fan in back
- 120mm fan in front (no mod - the fan srews just go through the grille holes - the front grille is large enough for the 120mm).
- Side hole for CPU with plastic duct.
- Top holes for PSU air intake.
- Support for 4 3.5" HDs with grommets (and the front fan is right in front of the HDs).
- Silencing foam throughout.

- Plus the fans, and the modified Zalman PSU.

Laurent

rocarpen
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Post by rocarpen » Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:25 pm

canthearyou wrote:On that Silverstone TJ06, the PSU cools the cards?
Yeah, by default. I plan on getting the case myself, and figure that an Arctic Cooling NV Silencer will cool my 6800GT, the wind tunnel design with dual 120mm fans will cool my CPU and RAM, and the PSU (maybe with cool air ducted from the front) can take care of the remaining heat sources (hard drives, PCI cards, and mobo).

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