Airflow optimization - Duct/AF- straighteners? TEST :P - any advice welcome ;)

Memmento Mori · February 11

Hello there...

As i like to try some ridiculous things and im always thinking about optimizing the AF in my case so one day i came up with an idea of changing the flow of my bottom and top intake fans in a way it will be more in harmony to the front to back direction. And so before i just asked my friend to print me something i decided to make an POC just for the bottom fans.

OFC my aim was to gem more air to the GPU, and i have to say it worked not bad... I saw rly a 4 degree decline at the GPU hotspot... So i decided to get some proper "straighteners" and got them printed....

Well Printed version is a bit a different shape but not looking bad at all:

Finally mounted in the case it looks in my opinion not bad at all. A bit "SteamPunkLike"

Well now lets talk about some numbers and test scenarios...

System Specification:

MOBO: MSI Z490 Godlike

CPU: i9-10900K @ 4.9Ghz

GPU: XFX Radeon 6900 XT - Merc 319 a bit underwolt and a bit OC

DIMMS: G Skill GTRS 3200 CL14 @ 4100 CL 15-15-15-30 T2

Case: Caselabs SM8

CPU Cooler: Thermalright FC140

Front Fans: 3x 140mm Be Quiet Silent wings 3

All other case fans are Thermalright TL-C12 Pro

For stress testing i chose to fold for 20 min on my CPU with 10 threads and as well with the GPU. At least the energy will not go totally waste

And here are some scenarios and results:

Scenario NR.1 - was the traditional front to back airflow, so i just turned off the intakes upper and bottom and tested:

CPU package MAX: 71 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 68 C

DIMMS MAX: 36.3 C

Scenario NR.2 - was with the intakes upper and bottom as well on:

CPU package MAX: 70 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 65 C

DIMMS MAX: 35.5 C

Scenario NR.3 - was the paper POC

CPU package MAX: 72 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 66 C

DIMMS MAX: 35.8 C

Scenario NR.4 - is the final way i wanted to test - with the "straighteners" installed on the top and bottom intake fans..

CPU package MAX: 73 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 66 C

DIMMS MAX: 33.8 C

I will for sure take some more time to try to play around with the fan speeds if I will see any improvement or not.

If you have any advice or idea how to get better temps or optimizing the Airflow in this case I'm open to anything. One thing is for me atm not workable and to make it custom WC and as well AIO are not my thing.. Air-cooled is the way i want to go for now....

So please to all Air-cooled Gods and Daemons out there - feel free to take part... :friends_gathering:

Edited February 15 by Memmento Mori

damric · February 11

You better finish those work units

The Pook · February 11

Spoiler

bisect into two different compartments? likely won't help GPU temp much on its own but it might drop CPU/RAM temps when you've got a high GPU load.

could test with cardboard and do something more a e s t h e t i c if it actually improves anything.

Memmento Mori · February 11

1 hour ago, The Pook said:

Reveal hidden contents

bisect into two different compartments? likely won't help GPU temp much on its own but it might drop CPU/RAM temps when you've got a high GPU load.

could test with cardboard and do something more a e s t h e t i c if it actually improves anything.

have to say you got a sharp eye.... edited

But with the cardboard your right.. will try it out and report back.. I have as well another type to try.. just need to tell my friend to print at least 1 more as i have just 1 as a sample...

forgot as well to post a pic of how it looks in the case luminated

1 hour ago, damric said:

You better finish those work units

Yes Sir! Will do Sir!

Memmento Mori · February 14

Small update… the other design went in to production! :wheee:

curious about the outcome… will definitely report back …. :velo:

Edited February 14 by Memmento Mori

Avacado · February 14

I like the second version better. Have to say this is a really cool project. You could easily market those on Amazon.

Fluxmaven · February 14

I came here expecting dryer hose and duct tape...

schuck6566 · February 14

On 11/02/2023 at 16:04, Memmento Mori said:

Hello there...

As i like to try some ridiculous things and im always thinking about optimizing the AF in my case so one day i came up with an idea of changing the flow of my bottom and top intake fans in a way it will be more in harmony to the front to back direction. And so before i just asked my friend to print me something i decided to make an POC just for the bottom fans.

OFC my aim was to gem more air to the GPU, and i have to say it worked not bad... I saw rly a 4 degree decline at the GPU hotspot... So i decided to get some proper "straighteners" and got them printed....

Well Printed version is a bit a different shape but not looking bad at all:

Finally mounted in the case it looks in my opinion not bad at all. A bit "SteamPunkLike"

Well now lets talk about some numbers and test scenarios...

System Specification:

MOBO: MSI Z490 Godlike

CPU: i9-10900K @ 4.9Ghz

GPU: XFX Radeon 6900 XT - Merc 319 a bit underwolt and a bit OC

DIMMS: G Skill GTRS 3200 CL14 @ 4100 CL 15-15-15-30 T2

Case: Caselabs SM8

CPU Cooler: Thermalright FC140

Front Fans: 3x 140mm Be Quiet Silent wings 3

All other case fans are Thermalright TL-C12 Pro

For stress testing i chose to fold for 20 min on my CPU with 10 threads and as well with the GPU. At least the energy will not go totally waste

And here are some scenarios and results:

Scenario NR.1 - was the traditional front to back airflow, so i just turned off the intakes upper and bottom and tested:

CPU package MAX: 71 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 68 C

DIMMS MAX: 36.3 C

Scenario NR.2 - was with the intakes upper and bottom as well on:

CPU package MAX: 70 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 65 C

DIMMS MAX: 35.5 C

Scenario NR.3 - was the paper POC

CPU package MAX: 72 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 66 C

DIMMS MAX: 35.8 C

Scenario NR.4 - is the final way i wanted to test - with the "straighteners" installed on the top and bottom intake fans..

CPU package MAX: 73 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 66 C

DIMMS MAX: 33.8 C

I will for sure take some more time to try to play around with the fan speeds if I will see any improvement or not.

If you have any advice or idea how to get better temps or optimizing the Airflow in this case I'm open to anything. One thing is for me atm not workable and to make it custom WC and as well AIO are not my thing.. Air-cooled is the way i want to go for now....

So please to all Air-cooled Gods and Daemons out there - feel free to take part...

On 11/02/2023 at 16:29, The Pook said:

Reveal hidden contents

bisect into two different compartments? likely won't help GPU temp much on its own but it might drop CPU/RAM temps when you've got a high GPU load.

could test with cardboard and do something more a e s t h e t i c if it actually improves anything.

I agree with Pook,possibly raise the divider and angle it some so as to take advantage of 1 more open slot and second front fan.

Another idea would be to put a short angled shroud facing the back on the BACK TOP fan and have it be an exhaust also.That would give you 6 intake and 3 exhaust fans along with the passive exhaust slots.(I think.)

Also,maybe add something like this with the suggested 3 pin power to molex adapter that allows speed control?

Expansion Slot Rear Exhaust Cooling Fan - Computer Fans & Coolers | StarTech.com

WWW.STARTECH.COM

StarTech.com Expansion Slot Rear Exhaust Cooling Fan with LP4 Connector - PC Case Exhaust Fan/Video Card Cooler Fan - System...

Cheaper on Amazon and that's where I saw the suggestions for the adaptor.

Memmento Mori · February 17

On 14/02/2023 at 14:26, Avacado said:

I like the second version better. Have to say this is a really cool project. You could easily market those on Amazon.

well could be but the design is not mine and i just downloaded it and used it to get it printed. But the original thought of this was as an cover for the back exhaust fan to use it as intake and get some cool air to the VRM of an water-cooled setup..

here the Link to it there are as well some pictures. And to be honest with an printing time of 8h I'm not sure if it would pay out in the end

On 14/02/2023 at 15:17, Fluxmaven said:

I came here expecting dryer hose and duct tape...

well that would be truly Extreme i guess but i hope your not disappointed in the end

On 14/02/2023 at 15:58, schuck6566 said:

I agree with Pook,possibly raise the divider and angle it some so as to take advantage of 1 more open slot and second front fan.

Another idea would be to put a short angled shroud facing the back on the BACK TOP fan and have it be an exhaust also.That would give you 6 intake and 3 exhaust fans along with the passive exhaust slots.(I think.)

Also,maybe add something like this with the suggested 3 pin power to molex adapter that allows speed control?

Expansion Slot Rear Exhaust Cooling Fan - Computer Fans & Coolers | StarTech.com

WWW.STARTECH.COM

StarTech.com Expansion Slot Rear Exhaust Cooling Fan with LP4 Connector - PC Case Exhaust Fan/Video Card Cooler Fan - System...

Cheaper on Amazon and that's where I saw the suggestions for the adaptor.

Exactly what i thought could be improved, i just thought about an different solution. As there should be enough space for an 90mm fan i ordered the Thermalright TL-B9 should be delivered soon and lets see if makes any difference, but what I'm expecting from it, is an better ventilated backplate of the GPU and this way would less heat be going up to the CPU and RAM cooler... If it will make any real difference i will measure as soon i get it delivered .

Anyway next week Monday should be send to me the second model in 2 variants so im looking forward to test them ... And as well have to test the "Case split" recommended by @The Pook

Edited February 17 by Memmento Mori

GanjaSMK · February 17

Subbed this is dope.

Memmento Mori · February 18

So having some updates in the work in progress.. New toys finally arrived

but first the paint job

Drying it with [email protected]

Final Product....

Yes the corners are made of silicone so the paint chipped off (was a bit naïve here :confused_frusty2: ) and could as well cover with scotch tape the back labeling but forgot it... Anyway im ok with the result...

Finally the installation.. :wheee:

Now to the analytics: With 45 min. [email protected] both CPU and GPU.

Before :

CPU package MAX: 76 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 65 C

DIMMS MAX: 37.3 C

M2 SSD: 50 C

Now with the installed new HW:

CPU package MAX: 74 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 64 C

DIMMS MAX: 36.3 C

M2 SSD: 40 C

The main gain is here the M2SSD - with -10 C on the max temp.. Got a difference as well on the CPU by -2 C and DIMMS -1 C.... But could be the tolerance in measurements so not rly a prove of a big improvement.. Will test it a bit further in some Gaming sessions and report back... As well waiting for the new design of the "straightener's" ... Let me know if you have any advice to improve or idea to try out

Thanks..

MM..

Edited February 18 by Memmento Mori

damric · February 18

Looks awesome!

Dust problem can be solved with

https://www.amazon.com/Precisionaire-Hammock-Filter-Media-Ft/dp/B000LNP7IG/ref=sr_1_7?crid=390FC14CPH5K1&keywords=fiberglass+nest+filter+roll&qid=1676747886&sprefix=fiberglass+nest+filter+roll%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-7

You cut it and put it in front of your intakes. On a lot of cases you can put it directly behind the front panel. Wear gloves.

Memmento Mori · February 19

On 18/02/2023 at 20:21, damric said:

Looks awesome!

Dust problem can be solved with

https://www.amazon.com/Precisionaire-Hammock-Filter-Media-Ft/dp/B000LNP7IG/ref=sr_1_7?crid=390FC14CPH5K1&keywords=fiberglass+nest+filter+roll&qid=1676747886&sprefix=fiberglass+nest+filter+roll%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-7

You cut it and put it in front of your intakes. On a lot of cases you can put it directly behind the front panel. Wear gloves.

Thanks for the recomendation but to be honest, been on this road before and its just a trade of for higher temps and rpm on fans. I took out what i could to make it airflow friendly as possible. I radher invested the money in the DataVac and once in a month i just blow the dust out… in the end everyone has to decide for them self :hair_afro:

Edited February 23 by Memmento Mori

Memmento Mori · February 23

Ladies and Gentleman (always were just approaching the Gents here... this way i want to make it up Ladies, you are as well invited to the conversation...sorry for that )

New toys arrived

doyll · March 14

Have you tried your new toys? How are you using them?

Avacado · March 14

44 minutes ago, doyll said:

Have you tried your new toys? How are you using them?

Not to hijack the thread, but good to see you posting here again!

Memmento Mori · March 14

4 hours ago, doyll said:

Have you tried your new toys? How are you using them?

first of all thank you for stopping by and honoring my request

Yes i tried the new toys and installed they look as follow:

Now to the data of the measurement's:

The default was this time the old model of the 3D printed Ducs presented in the posts before:

CPU package MAX: 77 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 65 C

DIMMS MAX: 34.3 C

M2 SSD: 38 C

Now with new design with the "bite outs" :

CPU package MAX: 77 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 63 C

DIMMS MAX: 34 C

M2 SSD: 37 C

And Finally the new design with the linear bottom:

CPU package MAX: 75 C

GPU Hotspot MAX: 63 C

DIMMS MAX: 33,8 C

M2 SSD: 37 C

So yes the last Test has the best results but it could be as well based on the coldest intake temps. Anyway the biggest impact are not on the temps but on the noise. Noise of the turbulences went significantly down, you can still hear them on the higher fan speeds but its not much louder as the airflow or the fan noise at it self. I dont have any data or measurement results on this topic as I'm lacking the right instruments.

Still have to try out the case split - GPU part from the CPU part... But it will take a bit more time as got a bit busy lately....

Now am i missing something here? Any recommendations? Please let me know. - any idea, recommendation or advice is very welcomed

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