Computer case cooling.. does size matter

[Roxor]

I have a mid-tower case, and my cooling system has ended up creating two cells of air in it. The front fans at the bottom blows onto the graphics card, which with its fans blows all that air out the back, requiring me to add an intake fan up near the top of the front to supply air to the other three fans (back, top and PSU).

Given the age of the case, I don't think the designers ever anticipated the development of graphics cards which need such massive airflow that they have to include vents on the card's mounting bracket.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Bigger cases are better for two reasons.

1. Larger cases accommodate larger fans, for more air flow at a lower decibel level.

2. Larger cases have superior air flow channels, especially now a days, when video cards can stretch from back to front, and side to side. I've seen mid towers that have been completely divided in half by video cards.

For reference, I use the best case of all time...

THE COSMOS!

I can fit a Mid Side Case INSIDE my case!

 

[CAPTCHA]

Here are the two cases Im debating.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194 - full size

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196 - mid

What are you planing to use your case for? The Storm series are designed for being moved about a lot, (LAN parties etc,), hence the big handles and security locks. So if that's your thing then go for it.

I was going to buy one myself but was put of by the high amount of plastic in them. That and the grilled window on the side looks like it'd scratch up pretty easily, even possibly break (something that Coolermaster are seemingly aware of since they sell replacement side panels).

I'd suggest a Coolermaster HAF series over this if your PC is going to stay at home (they're pretty heavy). My HAF build has had a modest overclock and I've got no problems with temp.

 

[Damien Granz]

Larger cases have more metal surface area for heat to dissipate into, which means that any single area of the case is less cold, and can have more energy transferred into it before it reaches a saturation level where that heat has nowhere to go but back into the computer components, all other airflow considerations taken equally.

 

[Jodah]

Side note: Has anyone else ever actually used their 360 as a heater during cold winter months? I did that this past winter and the one before, I just left it running and my room stayed relatively warm. Doesn't work in the summer months very well, though.

I did when I was in college and cutting corners on heat. Gas was more expensive then electricity so I ran my PS3, PC, and 54 inch TV with my door closed. All three put out a good deal of heat so it was nice.

 

[Antari]

Ok here's my delema. I want two different cases. one is a full tower and the other is a mid tower. Both with fit my components just fine. What I need is better cooling. There are two theories I have come up with in my brain that could be possible here.

1. Less space=better because it's less space to fill with cool air. i.e. 2 input fans at 3k rpm's and 2 output fans at 3k rpm's in a smaller space is more efficient then in a larger space where a hot spot can occur because there's not enough pull.

2. more space = better because there's more air total. More air mass to absorb heat. Same heat production (from components) but lower ambient temperature and lower component temperatures.

My Google-fu is terrible today because I can't get a straight answer that has proof to back it up. Anyone here have any ideas etc?

It'd be a better idea to map the direction of air flow inside the case. Does it pass over your highest heat generating components? If yes, then your well on your way. If it doesn't, well then it won't matter how big or small the case is.

 

[Layz92]

Ok here's my delema. I want two different cases. one is a full tower and the other is a mid tower. Both with fit my components just fine. What I need is better cooling. There are two theories I have come up with in my brain that could be possible here.

1. Less space=better because it's less space to fill with cool air. i.e. 2 input fans at 3k rpm's and 2 output fans at 3k rpm's in a smaller space is more efficient then in a larger space where a hot spot can occur because there's not enough pull.

2. more space = better because there's more air total. More air mass to absorb heat. Same heat production (from components) but lower ambient temperature and lower component temperatures.

My Google-fu is terrible today because I can't get a straight answer that has proof to back it up. Anyone here have any ideas etc?

It'd be a better idea to map the direction of air flow inside the case. Does it pass over your highest heat generating components? If yes, then your well on your way. If it doesn't, well then it won't matter how big or small the case is.

This is what I was going to say. IMO it is more about placement and fan power than case size.

Spoiler: This is mine (minus all the glitzy black plastic on front)

Fans run right across all my vital stuff.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

if you are really worried about cooling why dot start looking at water cooled cases or perhaps even going as far as a phase change cooling system
my air cooled PC has been in 2 csaes in its lifetime a full sized case with 200mm and 3 120mm fans and that heated up pretty fast because i had a AMD sapphire radeon HD4870 which bleades heat like nothing else and a mid sized case with 4 120mm fans and an 80mm fan and its cooler despite having around about the same amount fannieness

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434 Here's the video card I currently have. it runs great still and I'm not planning on replacing it for a while. It does get really hot.

Ok here's my delema. I want two different cases. one is a full tower and the other is a mid tower. Both with fit my components just fine. What I need is better cooling. There are two theories I have come up with in my brain that could be possible here.

1. Less space=better because it's less space to fill with cool air. i.e. 2 input fans at 3k rpm's and 2 output fans at 3k rpm's in a smaller space is more efficient then in a larger space where a hot spot can occur because there's not enough pull.

2. more space = better because there's more air total. More air mass to absorb heat. Same heat production (from components) but lower ambient temperature and lower component temperatures.

My Google-fu is terrible today because I can't get a straight answer that has proof to back it up. Anyone here have any ideas etc?

A big case is good for cooling not because it has more air (that's actually a disadvantage), but because there's room for huge heatsinks and for more fans and/or bigger fans. Bigger fans can move more air at lower RPMs which means less noise.

The smaller case is good for cooling too because there's less total air to move and if you can keep all of it moving, you get great heat dissipation. The problem with the smaller case though, is the risk of a big (good) CPU heatsink not fitting, because such a heatsink is essential for good CPU temps and especially Overclocking.

So there. It's really a matter of the right tool for the right job so the question is: What job do you need it for?

P.S: I have one 3K RPM fan, and it is extremely loud. So if you want 4-5 of them, I suggest you get a fan controller to keep them running slower until you really need them.

I'm not doing anything crazy with the CPU I have a 95 watt AMD x3 that isn't going to be replaced til winter. I kind of want to see what AMD has in store. My cpu cooler would fint in a mid tower but, as you say, if I replace it with an x6 or maybe even an x8 this winter (if the are out) I'll probably need the extra space.

Larger cases have more metal surface area for heat to dissipate into, which means that any single area of the case is less cold, and can have more energy transferred into it before it reaches a saturation level where that heat has nowhere to go but back into the computer components, all other airflow considerations taken equally.

I hadn't considered the metal. Aluminum absorbs heat well, but doesn't dissipate it well until removed from the heat source. It would still be wiser to go more metal then plastic though as plastic does nothing but trap heat.

Ok here's my delema. I want two different cases. one is a full tower and the other is a mid tower. Both with fit my components just fine. What I need is better cooling. There are two theories I have come up with in my brain that could be possible here.

1. Less space=better because it's less space to fill with cool air. i.e. 2 input fans at 3k rpm's and 2 output fans at 3k rpm's in a smaller space is more efficient then in a larger space where a hot spot can occur because there's not enough pull.

2. more space = better because there's more air total. More air mass to absorb heat. Same heat production (from components) but lower ambient temperature and lower component temperatures.

My Google-fu is terrible today because I can't get a straight answer that has proof to back it up. Anyone here have any ideas etc?

It'd be a better idea to map the direction of air flow inside the case. Does it pass over your highest heat generating components? If yes, then your well on your way. If it doesn't, well then it won't matter how big or small the case is.

Absolutely. A quality case positions the fans strategically. How I have it now, I have removed the HDD cage from my case because it's only got my ssd and a small hdd I use for non essential games and applications that are mounted in the two 1.44 disk 3.5 bays and my front fan blows intake air right on to my video card, then the card blows it out. there's a small 80mm fan in the side panel to help get that hot air out as well. then the fan on the cpu heat sync blows air through the heat sync into the output fan at the back top of my case. I have a top mount PSU so that airs itself out.

I do want to thank everyone for the input. It's really helpful.

Just want to say im not a total n00b when it comes to this. I run a a few servers in my home. One for media that runs on WHS and one for documents that is encrypted that ran on linux for a bit, but, i switched to server 2008 so everyone could use it easier. Just trying to hash out what is going to be my chassis for the next 5+ years lol. Here are a few more I'm looking at. I like the cooler master series, but any other brands are ok. I want to spend sub 200 on one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133183