Lian Li PC-7 Plus

PiKe · 24 Jun 2009 at 16:54

I'm just wondering what additional cooling options I have available to me, I have a front intake and rear exhaust that the case came with, but there is a cut out at the top of the case, and a grille in the side panel, are there official items to take advantage of these points?

Guardsmon · 24 Jun 2009 at 20:21

any 80mm fan in the top, the side is exhaust hole only, though you can buy a fan fitting that is designed to cool graphics cards that sits over the top of this, though not many people use them. You can buy front pannels that provide more hard drive space and fans or just fans. e.g. EX-33.

If you make use of 2x 120mm + 80mm you shouldn't really need any more, though I use the EX-33B myself.

BloomerzUK · 24 Jun 2009 at 20:26

There is also an expansion slot cooling device that attaches to the left of the expansion screws.

Like this:

Ducky Spud · 24 Jun 2009 at 22:15

The hole in the roof can also be increased to take a 120mm fan too if you prefer. I have a PC-A07B which is pretty similar and have fitted 2 120mm fans in the roof

PiKe · 24 Jun 2009 at 22:53

BloomerzUK said:
There is also an expansion slot cooling device that attaches to the left of the expansion screws.

Like this:

Whats the part number for that?

Guardsmon · 25 Jun 2009 at 02:40

thats the gfx exhaust i was talking about

PiKe · 26 Jun 2009 at 11:03

Is it worth removing the hard drive cage from the bottom of the case so the front intake can send air to the back of the case more easily?

shadowscotland · 26 Jun 2009 at 11:11

yes - and bungee mod your hard drives in the 5' bays above

My old silverstone with the lower hhd cage removed and the elastic just visable on the side of the optical bays

Ducky Spud · 26 Jun 2009 at 12:48

Bungee mod will increase air flow and is probably the quietest way of mounting your HDDs... wins all round

PiKe · 26 Jun 2009 at 13:58

Then you end up with hotter hard drives though as the case acts as a heatsink to some degree and if it isn't touching it, then heat builds up?

shadowscotland · 26 Jun 2009 at 15:34

Yes and no.

In a passive design the case acting as a HS it true.

But with even low air flow convection outweights conduction.
Add to this that HHD in cases have very little direct contact with the HHD cage these days.
Most are mounted on rails / gromits / pegs or trays for anti virbration issues.

A low case temps due to un-obstructed air flow will keep your HHD much cooler.

An alturnative is a suspension mod - basically replacing the HHD case with an elastic cradle in the same location.
It's a bit harder due to increased risk of lateral movement but still not that hard with a spare hour and the right kit.

Linky on the why
Linky on what other have done (extreme and simple options)