Why aren't there more cases with side fans?

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 03:09

Well, why?

If there is one thing systems these days seem to be crying out for, its side intake fans.

Having finally managed to tame a ragingly hot pentium 840 extreme, by way of the brilliant Thermaltake Big Typhoon , I'm now facing the seemingly impossible task of trying to cool a pair of evga 7800gtx's, no case I've tried thus far can keep them below 80oC load. There is nothnig wrong with my cabling and the system is relatively empty.

I really thought that the Silverstone tj07, with its rear intake fans and seperate hard drive/PSU chamber would improve matters, but no such luck.

I know full well that this issue would be solved if the case had just one reasonable 92/120mm fan on the left side panel to pull cool air in, but it seems that the only cases that have side fans these days are relatively low budget and have too many other design floors to be worth considering.

It would appear at present, that not one single manufacturer has managed to construct a case that satisfies all needs, both practical and asthetic. Instead we are presented with silly new ideas that fail to address the key needs of today's high end systems. When considering the number of manufacturers and years of development, I'm at a loss as to how such oversights can arise. Apologies if I'm coming across as angry...but I really am quite angry

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 03:12

Raikiri said:
May I suggest this case

http://www.aerocool.us/p-case/extremengine3t/extremengine3t.htm

Very funny indeed.

But in all seriousness, how, as an old school Coolermaster devotee, could I purchase that?

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 03:24

Yes, it's good value and certainly practical, but it would terrify even the Devil himself!

Don't you think though, that some of the design flaws in many of the high end cases are really stupid. I mean, look at the Tj03, beautiful looking to be sure, but the front fan is completely pointless. You have to open the door and remove the fan filter to allow any air in at all, meanwhile, the rest of the system is cooking due to the other 3 fans all being exhaust fans, hence the pressure is totally unbalanced. I've also read of some of the woes on the infamous Antec P180 thread, I can really sympathise with those guys, again, nice ideas, but not properly thought through it would seem.

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 03:35

Zefan said:
BTW the "Unbalanced pressure" nearly always balances itself when there are more exausts than intakes by allowing air in through tiny gaps you don't notice.

Well, all I know is that I've seen an identical system operate in both a Tj03 and a Coolermaster 110, the 110 was considerably more effecient in every respect, expect space - the CPU, Video card and hard drives ran significantly cooler despite the lack of a 120mm fan, and having an equal number of intake and exhaust fans. I do see your point though.

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 03:40

Raikiri said:
but would obviously prefer an older CM (damn you yewen, hoarding them).

Is this the chap who is in the process of composing a website all about those cases?

How many does he have out of intrest?

balth_dire · 29 Jan 2006 at 22:16

Harib0 said:
I'll raise you Yewen lol

Edit with regard to side fan, why not just do a mod to your specification?

I'd like to, but I'm generally a bit of a wimp when it comes to hacking holes in £200+ cases! Think I'll try and find a local metalworker's.

balth_dire · 31 Jan 2006 at 03:31

WJA96 said:
Might I suggest an Akasa Eclipse 62 with the optional 120mm Side Intake Panel. This is excellent value as it includes £10 worth of Akasa Amber 120mm fan.

http://www.akasa.co.uk/akasa_english/spec_page/cases/spec_ak_bkwsp_02.htm

Akasa Eclipse-62 Aluminum Case (CA-005-AK) - £88.07
Akasa Eclipse Hi-engineered Professional Side Panel (CA-016-AK) - £21.74

Hmmm, must say I've always liked the look of that case, good length and depth, simple "common sense" based design, that side panel must be a very recent addition though, I've not noticed it before. The fan position might be a tad too high to cool both cards properly, but because of the extra width, I might be able to add another below it, inside the case, which would benifit from the extra air coming in. I'll consider, thanks for the tip off

balth_dire · 2 Feb 2006 at 02:22

WJA96 said:
Might I suggest an Akasa Eclipse 62 with the optional 120mm Side Intake Panel. This is excellent value as it includes £10 worth of Akasa Amber 120mm fan.

http://www.akasa.co.uk/akasa_english/spec_page/cases/spec_ak_bkwsp_02.htm

Akasa Eclipse-62 Aluminum Case (CA-005-AK) - £88.07
Akasa Eclipse Hi-engineered Professional Side Panel (CA-016-AK) - £21.74

Well,

It worked

What a fantastic case. Don't know how I went without it all these years. Highly recommed the combo above to anyone planning an SLI setup, knocked 10-12 degrees off both cards and 3-5 of the CPU.

Cheers WJ....and OCUK.

Now I have a spare TJ07 going begging :rolleyes: