Rig in a cupboard - Bad airflow?

Elias · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:27

This is not a question from me, but on behalf of a family member who insists that I place my gaming rig in a small cupboard.

The cupboard itself leaves 2-3 inches on each side of the case, and the only exposed area is the front. It's also pretty close to a radiator.

The Rig:

i5 2500k
P8P67 pro
4GB G-Skill 1600mhz
2x 5770's crossfired
Antec Truepower 750W
Thermaltake Frio CPU cooler
HAF 922 Case

I've insisted that such a confined space will cause massive overheating, as hot air will constantly be recyled at the back.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

SeraphX · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:30

take computer apart and use the motherboard box as a ' case ' have all your various parts assembled as such and totally ignore idiotic family member

Elias · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:37

Seraph said:
take computer apart and use the motherboard box as a ' case ' have all your various parts assembled as such and totally ignore idiotic family member

Yeah, I understand that he wants it hidden from view (despite the fact the HAF 922 case looks pretty nice), but I don't want a dead computer!

I've tried to explain airflow, but they just say that it has fans and will be fine! Fans equal cool air, apparently.

Fans only blow air, even hot air...

4T5 · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:43

Tell him you risk Huge explosions & certain death if you place a PC in such a confined space, Ask him whether he really loves you/his house etc then just walk off before you start laughing.

SeraphX · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:46

computer wouldn't be dead lol cardboard boxes are good insulators, people here have run their machines on a box sometimes

but yeah fans only blow air, in a tight enclosed space it'd just be pretty much recycled endlessly, wouldn't be so bad on a lower power system but yours specially with crossfired cards would certainly put some heat out

Elias · 14 Apr 2011 at 21:46

4T5 said:
Tell him you risk Huge explosions & certain death if you place a PC in such a confined space, Ask him whether he really loves you/his house etc then just walk off before you start laughing.

It's like the film Speed!

As soon as the temps hit 60c - BOOM!

LePhuronn · 15 Apr 2011 at 10:50

Air flow will be a major problem, but also the sound will be too - as the fans work harder to cool the system, the noise will go up and it'll just end up echoing in the cupboard.

Besides, there are plenty of ways of putting a computer out of view. Or you can get a better looking case because those HAFs are fugly bitches lol

Personally I'd tell them to fudge off, unless it's a parental figure of course. Then I'd tell them to fudge off with logic and reasoning

GeX · 15 Apr 2011 at 14:52

water cool it, mount the radiator outside the cupboard. sorted.

Disco Boy · 15 Apr 2011 at 15:13

Can you knock the back of the cupboard (or your family member) out?

Other than that, have the intakes at the back of the cupboard and the exhausts at the front open to the air (do this by rotating fans and not the whole case obviously

)

Hagar · 15 Apr 2011 at 15:17

Cut some holes in the back of the cupboard and leave the door open while using it.

1kiwi · 15 Apr 2011 at 16:17

I like external rad idea.

powelly · 16 Apr 2011 at 00:58

you could cut 4 120mm fan mounts out from the back of the cupboard, and then stick 4 exhaust fans there

spleenharvester · 16 Apr 2011 at 02:28

Yup, would cause very large scale overheating. Don't do it unless you cut holes in the back.

bledd · 16 Apr 2011 at 08:24

Can you move it to your bedroom?

Then you can become a recluse

therutz · 16 Apr 2011 at 08:47

I like the fans on the back of the cupboard idear

Get a 220m (or bigger) fan or 2 and hook them up to your rig and mount them to the rear of the cupboard and that should shift that heat and they revolve pretty silently (somthing like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-044-AK

My wife would NEVER tell me where to have my pc as she knows i would relocate it up her *** if she ever did

(JOKE guys i would never hurt my Rig

)

Snykch · 16 Apr 2011 at 13:57

Why not just do it for a while and see how the temps run. You will also have first hand proof to show this family member if it is running way too hot. It might actually be fine.

scrlk · 16 Apr 2011 at 14:48

Elias said:
Yeah, I understand that he wants it hidden from view (despite the fact the HAF 922 case looks pretty nice), but I don't want a dead computer!

I've tried to explain airflow, but they just say that it has fans and will be fine! Fans equal cool air, apparently.

Fans only blow air, even hot air...

Out. Now.

bugeyewrx · 16 Apr 2011 at 15:57

I've got the same problem ... not the family member part

but my pc lives in a cupboard . Part of the solution I'm working on is a fan in the back of the cupboard , I'll post some pictures when I get a chance .

Reaper 392 · 16 Apr 2011 at 19:18

stick the family member in an insulated box with a 500W heater (roughly the power your rig uses) and a desk fan for two hours.

im sure they will see how useless the fan is after that