Scenario:
I have thrown together a gaming htpc with the following specs:
athlon II x4 630
ATX AM3 mobo
hd 6850 (cooler puts heat into the case and not out the back)
8 gig xms3
1x ssd
2x hdd
2x dvb-t tuners
all housed in an Antec solo mini
Most parts were spares but it works exactly how I wanted it to, except for a few things.
AIR FLOW & COOLING.
This htpc sits in a modified fireplace, so the case itself has its back half inside what used be the fire/flue. So currently all the air being pushed OUT of the case has nowhere to go and just watching freeview tv the 6850 temps are hovering in the 60's while the motherboard temps are gently cooking in the high 30's, cpu core temps are fine at the moment at 23 degrees (gelid tranquil rev.2) ram gets hot to touch too. I have taken the 2x 90 fans out of the front and subbed them with a 120mm fan in the lower hdd cage.
Cable management isn't the easiest in this case and the cooling options are limited, with the solo mini being primarily a silent case, throw into the mix that ALL exhausted air is being trapped in a tight space with nowhere to go, is just plain bothering me.
I believe the top mounted psu isnt helping cooling either.
Right now I have all the 5.25" bay covers off with a 120mm fan in there, looks awful!
But the look of this case from the front is exactly what ticks all the boxes.
So, what would you do?
New case? Is there a case that will exhaust the air out the front?
Mod the Solo Mini?
Or just leave it, it's fine as it is?
If I have to spend some cash I will only go as far £100 will take me.
I should also add that there is nowhere else to put the htpc as cables are all hidden and mostly inaccessible, and the case itself is the focal point of the whole setup.
All opinions/advice welcome
I have thrown together a gaming htpc with the following specs:
athlon II x4 630
ATX AM3 mobo
hd 6850 (cooler puts heat into the case and not out the back)
8 gig xms3
1x ssd
2x hdd
2x dvb-t tuners
all housed in an Antec solo mini
Most parts were spares but it works exactly how I wanted it to, except for a few things.
AIR FLOW & COOLING.
This htpc sits in a modified fireplace, so the case itself has its back half inside what used be the fire/flue. So currently all the air being pushed OUT of the case has nowhere to go and just watching freeview tv the 6850 temps are hovering in the 60's while the motherboard temps are gently cooking in the high 30's, cpu core temps are fine at the moment at 23 degrees (gelid tranquil rev.2) ram gets hot to touch too. I have taken the 2x 90 fans out of the front and subbed them with a 120mm fan in the lower hdd cage.
Cable management isn't the easiest in this case and the cooling options are limited, with the solo mini being primarily a silent case, throw into the mix that ALL exhausted air is being trapped in a tight space with nowhere to go, is just plain bothering me.
I believe the top mounted psu isnt helping cooling either.
Right now I have all the 5.25" bay covers off with a 120mm fan in there, looks awful!
But the look of this case from the front is exactly what ticks all the boxes.
So, what would you do?
New case? Is there a case that will exhaust the air out the front?
Mod the Solo Mini?
Or just leave it, it's fine as it is?
If I have to spend some cash I will only go as far £100 will take me.
I should also add that there is nowhere else to put the htpc as cables are all hidden and mostly inaccessible, and the case itself is the focal point of the whole setup.
All opinions/advice welcome
