Computer case cooling.. does size matter

[Digitaldreamer7]

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?

 

[MrTub]

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

I was too until I thought about it, i have a big case now and my video card heat's up pretty quick and stays really hot unless I manually turn the fan up n it to 100%.

The whole idea is the faster you can move cool air across and hot air away from it the cooler it will be, looking at this. if you decrease the distance between the intake and the output fans it should accomplish this better because theres no hot spot.

IDK I'm trying to figure this out before I spend 150$ on a case lol.

To give an example, I believe the original 360 has three of four very small (and very loud) fans, and it isn't efficient at all. The new one and the PS3 both have one big fan, I believe, and both are a lot more efficient than the room heater/jet engine noise simulator that is the 360. Yes, both are consoles but remember that consoles are just computers made specifically for gaming.

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.

sorry if i wasn't clear, this is meant for PC, not consoles. In such it also assumes that adequate cooling fans are used, not some loud noisy pieces of crap that sound like they are moving air... but are not.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

I was too until I thought about it, i have a big case now and my video card heat's up pretty quick and stays really hot unless I manually turn the fan up n it to 100%.

The whole idea is the faster you can move cool air across and hot air away from it the cooler it will be, looking at this. if you decrease the distance between the intake and the output fans it should accomplish this better because theres no hot spot.

IDK I'm trying to figure this out before I spend 150$ on a case lol.

To give an example, I believe the original 360 has three of four very small (and very loud) fans, and it isn't efficient at all. The new one and the PS3 both have one big fan, I believe, and both are a lot more efficient than the room heater/jet engine noise simulator that is the 360. Yes, both are consoles but remember that consoles are just computers made specifically for gaming.

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.

sorry if i wasn't clear, this is meant for PC, not consoles. In such it also assumes that adequate cooling fans are used, not some loud noisy pieces of crap that sound like they are moving air... but are not.

Uh... remember that consoles and PC's are both computers and very much need fans. The same sorts of fans you plan on putting on your PC. Sorry if you're offended, but it was an accurate and appropriate bit of information. You were asking if several small fans or one big fan is better, and I answered with a decent example - the 360's several small fans are definitely not good enough, so you'd think that several small fans in any computer isn't going to be good enough, or at least not as good as one big fan that does the same job.

Not offended, but, what I actually asked was if size mattered, a small case vs a big case.

 

[Skorpyo]

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

A confined space requires less airflow (volume of moving air, that is) to cool components, and it is easier to duct airflow onto critical heatsinks in a more constricted space.

Go with the smallest size case that will fit your computer parts.

 

[MrTub]

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

I was too until I thought about it, i have a big case now and my video card heat's up pretty quick and stays really hot unless I manually turn the fan up n it to 100%.

The whole idea is the faster you can move cool air across and hot air away from it the cooler it will be, looking at this. if you decrease the distance between the intake and the output fans it should accomplish this better because theres no hot spot.

IDK I'm trying to figure this out before I spend 150$ on a case lol.

To give an example, I believe the original 360 has three of four very small (and very loud) fans, and it isn't efficient at all. The new one and the PS3 both have one big fan, I believe, and both are a lot more efficient than the room heater/jet engine noise simulator that is the 360. Yes, both are consoles but remember that consoles are just computers made specifically for gaming.

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.

sorry if i wasn't clear, this is meant for PC, not consoles. In such it also assumes that adequate cooling fans are used, not some loud noisy pieces of crap that sound like they are moving air... but are not.

Well smaller cases often use 120mm fans which moves enough air for small cases, but if you are buying a bigger case most fans are either 140mm or sometimes 180/200mm. I would recommend you buy a large case and replace the standard crap fans with sometimes that really moves air around.

I used to have a pretty small case with (3x120mm fans) and when I replaced it to bigger case(3x140mm fans) my fan profile went from being at 80% during heavy load to around 60%. I later replaced those with better fans and added a couple more since I bought another gpu.
But this is my experience so keep in mind that I could be wrong.


PS: Airflow is the most important thing and it was easier for me at least to get enough cool air to my gpus with a big case then a small case.

 

[octafish]

I like big cases because they are easier to work in and are usually heavier making them harder to carry off. I haven't found much difference in case size, as long as you have adequate air flow. My P193 cools better than my Thermaltake V3 simply because it has more fans. Plus my P193 houses a sandy bridge chip and the V3 has a heat-pig C2Q.

My 120mm fan recomendation is the Nexus Real Silent, a hell of a lot cheaper than my beloved Noctuas, and I can't hear a difference.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

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

I cannot link to any proof or anything but Im 95.543% sure, more space= better temps

A confined space requires less airflow (volume of moving air, that is) to cool components, and it is easier to duct airflow onto critical heatsinks in a more constricted space.

Go with the smallest size case that will fit your computer parts.

This was what I was thinking because I have read that large cases can develop hot spots. where the intake fan on the front isn't close enough to the intake fan on the back no matter how fast they spin they cant move enough air to get the heat out of specific places in your case.

I like big cases because they are easier to work in and are usually heavier making them harder to carry off. I haven't found much difference in case size, as long as you have adequate air flow. My P193 cools better than my Thermaltake V3 simply because it has more fans. Plus my P193 houses a sandy bridge chip and the V3 has a heat-pig C2Q.

My 120mm fan recomendation is the Nexus Real Silent, a hell of a lot cheaper than my beloved Noctuas, and I can't hear a difference.

I hear ya, in the case I have now, the entire back panel unclips with the motherboard tray and all. best case I have ever worked in hands down, just so old it's falling apart.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Yeah, for the most part it does, but if you go with a small case there aways ways to make up for the lower air flow.

I decided to just go with the Xclio Windtunnel

 

[Snowalker]

I have a small case with a big ass fan... like it barely fits in it. (don't trust water-cooling) and I don't know the exact temps... but the computer actually cools my room down... so... umm.. I think its cool.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

Yeah, for the most part it does, but if you go with a small case there aways ways to make up for the lower air flow.

I decided to just go with the Xclio Windtunnel

but what im pondering is that in a smaller case.. the airflow (no matter what it is) would actually be more effective due to less space to cool, takes more cool air to fill a big case then it does a small case. As well as less CFM's (wind) to accomplish cool air intake and output of hot air.

it's like using a fan to cool a large room as opposed to a small room. 2 rooms one large and one small, both 80 degrees to start. you get the same exact fans for both rooms, which one will be cooler.

I have a small case with a big ass fan... like it barely fits in it. (don't trust water-cooling) and I don't know the exact temps... but the computer actually cools my room down... so... umm.. I think its cool.

Ha I don't trust water-cooling at all. With my hardware i shouldn't need water cooling. im not OC'ing. Just can't seem to keep my nvidia 260 under 70 degrees Celsius when im gaming... When i crank the card fan to 100% it might sit around 70ish under full load. everything else in the case stays cool. I have one 120mm fan intake in the front, 1 120mm fan output in the back and an 80mm intake fan on the side close to the front intake. when cranked up these fans can get to 3k rpm's. It's not my room cause i like to keep my apartment thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[Skorpyo]

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

Wow. You're really going top of the line, aren't you?

With a CoolerMaster case, you're pretty much guaranteed good cooling, the only off-set being price. I'd go with either one of those for just about any build.

 

[Hashime]

Go full tower, if you get a good case (like a coolermaster HAF) you can stick 2 120mm rads in there and cool the crap out of your computer.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

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

Wow. You're really going top of the line, aren't you?

With a CoolerMaster case, you're pretty much guaranteed good cooling, the only off-set being price. I'd go with either one of those for just about any build.

ha ha yea, Just picked up an asus crosshair formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131667
and 16gb of ram and a 120gb ssd. Next is case then processor. trying to hold out a bit on processor to see what comes around closer to the end of the year.

Here are the two cases Im debating.

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

I can tell you from personal experience that the CoolerMaster Storm Sniper is an excellent case for cooling, cable management, and space. You really can't go wrong with that one.

EDIT: Though it's a mid-tower, not a full-tower. Pretty big for a mid-tower, though.

that's what I was thinking. I like the handles on it. I still do lan parties with my friends from time to time (im 30 and my gf LOVES to game as much as I do) so the smaller size of the storm scout would be nice. Thanks for the input!

 

[GenericAmerican]

This probably won't help. But I heard of a computer that's like 10 grand, but all the components are completely submerged in water inside the case...eliminating the overheating problem.

 

[Kaymish]

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

 

[Aurgelmir]

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?

2 is correct. Because you are not filling your computer with cold air, you are pulling hot air out of your system. this is done by creating flow through the case by having the back fans suck hot air out and the front fans pushing new air in.
A bigger system enables more/easier flow.

Also a Bigger cabinet has more air to heat up.

As for same amount of fans on a smaler case: Well yes it can theoretically give more air inn and out. But the components are closer together hampering flow.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Good cooling just needs good airflow, that is all, the goal is to get air in and out of the case as smoothly an evenly as possible (any air getting trapped inside will only reduce the cooling efficiency).
Now a big case leaves you with more room for error because the hot air still has somewhere to go and in a small case you really need to sort it out right.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

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?

You can get fantastic cooling with almost any case providing you have good a good system of airflow. One or two fans on the from of the case to intake air, one or two at the back or on the top as exhausts. Side fans are available as well but can really muck up airflow. But optimally you'll want two exhausts, a rear and top mounted. As hot air rises warm air in the case will already be heading up to those exits.

For example, I'm running in an Antec 300 with two 120mm 1k fans intaking air at the front, one 120mm 1k fan at the rear and a 140mm 2k fan on the top. Phenom x4 955 idles at 24-28. Like I said, if you can get a good airflow then the size doesn't matter as much. Though a smaller case results in parts being much closers and possibly the lack of ability to upgrade the stock heatsink and fan.

 

[dogenzakaminion]

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?

Generally, a bigger case is cooled better, because the components have more space, and the total heat created is spread over a larger area. This means that the heat needed to be dealt with is less and can be handled by the normal fans (which usually are stronger on a big case). In addition, many big cases offer water cooling slots and can help you in the future when you want to fit MASSIVE gpu's. Which cases are you looking at specifically?

EDIT: Right just saw you listed the cases above. I have the Storm Scout myself actually. It is a great case with cable hiding options that minimize clutter and improve airflow. I've never had a problem with heat. The Storm Sniper is also a great case (a friend of mine has it) but like people have said...it is BIG. I mean seriously huge. Considering the price, I would go for the Scout. However, the Scout will not accommodate those really big GPU's, if that's a deal-breaker for you. Either way both are great and CoolerMaster make some of the best affordable cases in my opinion.