With or without side panel fan?

TorinT

TorinT

TorinT

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Joined
6 Mar 2013
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10
Hello!

I'll give my old PC to my sister after I build the new one. I'd like to refurbish it's cooling a little bit, but I'm confused about what to do with the CPU heatsink. The case is an old Thermaltake Soprano, with only 1-1 front/back 120mm and 1 side panel 92mm. I've already changed the original fans to Arctic Cooling fans (F12 PWM front intake, F12 Pro PWM back exhaust, F9 PWM side panel intake).

There is 195mm clearance from motherboard tray (185mm from mobo), but the side fan is perfectly over the CPU. What would be the better solution:

- Leave the 92mm side fan where it is, and buy a smaller heatsink (Thermalright True Spirit 120M / Thermalright Macho 120), or

- Remove the side fan, and buy a taller heatsink? (Alpenföhn Matterhorn / CM 212 EVO)

Thans in advance for your help!
 
What CPU and cooler are you running in it now and what temps is it running?
I assume that's what you are going to give your sister.
It seems you are not telling us everything..
Are you planning to reuse your present cooler on your new system and need one to go on system for sis?
 
I've got an i5 760 with the original stock cooler, around 42C idle...
Mobo is a GA-P55A-UD3 USB3, with 4x2GB Corsair Dominator (high, but with heatsinks removed, "just" 43mm)
All I want is a PC with decent cooling for my sis, who will use it to surf the net, watch movies, and some light gaming (Sims 3, maybe MMOs).
 
Why are your side panel fans intake? They would work better as exhaust wouldn't they? Pulling the heat out of the CPU cooler rather than boasting air onto it?

I personally bother with a side fan though if I did id have it exhaust.
 
And what do you use your system for now? Similar things to what your sister will? If so there is no reason to change anything. ;)
 
I'm using it quite similar things, but with more gaming, and the temps used to skyrocket, that is why I thought it's time to change the old stock cooler to something good and not so expensive, before I give it to her.

I use the side fan as intake, because I tought that its better for the CPU/GPU. And I read something about that positive pressure is better.
 
Than the TS120M will do the job just fine and you can keep the case fans as is.

Edit: I think OcUK has the TS120M but not possitive as they say True Spirit 120, not 120M but I think the stock code HS-107-TR is for 120M

Macho 120 would be good too. Pretty much whichever you want to use.
 
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