I'd like feedback/thoughts before I go and spend money on something that might not work. Currently my AMD Phenom II quad core CPU/Nvidia GTX285 GPU idle at 40C/45C respectively; under load they're 50-55C/60-65C respectively. On a hot day it's worse.
If you recall my sandcrawler mod (the 6 slim fans instead of 3 standard thickness is purely out of necessity - with those rad res's sitting on top there's not enough vertical space to put 3 normal fans):
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I'm thinking about getting one of those XSPC acrylic reservoir tops for my Liang DDC pump, which would enable to me to make some changes (can't see the pump in the photo but it's to the right of the PSU fan). This would leave space for 2 normal thickness fans on top of the rad (there still wouldn't be space at the front so the current slim fans would stay there):
The way I see it, pros of this are:
- I'd have more fans blowing air in than out, so there would be slightly positive air pressure rather than right now, which is probly slightly negative
- one less reservoir = less coolant/tubing = less weight
- 2 normal thickness fans I think are better for this rad than the 4 slim ones they'd replace.
Cons:
- less coolant = less cooling capacity, but I think it more likely it'd hit its stable temp sooner than it does now. And better airflow could negate the lower cooling capacity.
- blowing warm radiator air directly onto the computer? not sure that's my best idea. on the flip side, the air would be moving, so it wouldn't just sit there and heat up.