Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: TilDeath on April 15, 2009, 06:00:45 PM
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If Skuzzy will allow it I will show case MODs that I do to different cases. This part is for the NZXT Tempest Case. I use this case is most of my builds. This is the first set of pictures of a case in its raw state. The next Series will show components mounted and Final Series will show completed build. I am currently working with NZXT's design team to incorporate my MODs into the manufacture of the Tempest Case. The new design with a few other suggestions will be implemented in the cases being delivered this summer. BTW no comment or spelling (speeling) errors please.
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/case.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/chassis_fans_in.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/chassis_preped.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/mbtray.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/mbtray_layout.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/mbtray_done.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/top.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/top_driled.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/top_done.jpg)
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Why do you choose NZXT?
ack-ack
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Why do you choose NZXT?
ack-ack
Fit n Finish, inside case size for a mid tower, its cooling ability out of the box. I like the lines too on it.
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Fit n Finish, inside case size for a mid tower, its cooling ability out of the box. I like the lines too on it.
Just a look inside the case convinces me.
Thanks for the post Tildeath. Makes me want to jump on mine.
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Interesting read, though one thing I never got is you call the Tempest a mid-sized case, yet according to NE it's as large as my Antec 1200, the measurements are almost the same actually. 22" x 8.3" x 20.5" for the Tempest while 22.9" x 8.4" x 20.2" for the Antec 1200, is that small amount really the difference between mid and full sized towers? If so it seems kinda pointless.
None the less I do like the ideas and it gives me a few for my 1200, I'll be sawing it apart in no time I'm sure. :uhoh
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Interesting read, though one thing I never got is you call the Tempest a mid-sized case, yet according to NE it's as large as my Antec 1200, the measurements are almost the same actually. 22" x 8.3" x 20.5" for the Tempest while 22.9" x 8.4" x 20.2" for the Antec 1200, is that small amount really the difference between mid and full sized towers? If so it seems kinda pointless.
None the less I do like the ideas and it gives me a few for my 1200, I'll be sawing it apart in no time I'm sure. :uhoh
NZXT calls it a mid-tower, so who am I to argue. I have a 1200 I used in a build for me, now it is sitting here empty. Good case just not my cup of tea. I am always in my machine, on the 1200 it took some time to swap out components (HD esp), in the Tempest I can add or remove a drive in less then 3 mins. I don't have to remove the GPU to remove the HD cage. The 1200 is also insanely tall... the fans have to work hard to move the air is such a large case, meaning nosier operation. The huge top fan works well but the CFM's in are greater then the CFM's out, so there is stagnet air flow. It took me some time to find the Tempest and for me when I find something that is not broke don't fix it.
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TilDeath steered me toward the Tempest when I built my new machine. I am glad! I did not perform all of the mods he does, and used the stock fans. It runs VERY cool, is quiet, and also looks VERY cool! :rock
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As far as dimensions go it is big, no doubt about it. But it's not even an inch difference when compared to the Tempest, .9 of an inch actually. As far as CFM, mine is about equal so long as you install the optional fan on the left side of the case. It's not perfect but for me I have 316 CFM In and 292 CFM Out. If I were to get a slightly lower rated CFM fan for the left side it would even out actually, but the one I use I already owned so I didn't have to buy an other. I'm no thermo-dynamics expert or anything but 24 CFM seems trivial. As far as your swapping issue, that was never a problem for me, but thats because I rarely swap things in and out of my case, but I do clean the filters regularly so I'm very aware of the 40 thumb screws I have to go through to get to them. That aside I'm happy with the case, and the Tempest looks like a nice case as well that I wouldn't mind trying, but have no need to since the 1200 performance sufficiently.
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...me I have 316 CFM In and 292 CFM Out....
If this were reversed this would be better, if you have more out then in then your creating a negative air pressure inside the case and drawing air in from all area's other then the Fans blowing in. Negative air pressure should be no more then 40 to 50 CFM's
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Fit n Finish, inside case size for a mid tower, its cooling ability out of the box. I like the lines too on it.
Thanks for the info. For some reason or another I seem to gravitate towards Antec, not sure why but it every machine that I've built I've used an Antec case. I like the lines the NZXT myself and just wondered how they were.
ack-ack
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Have you ever used an Armor case?
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Have you ever used an Armor case?
Yes I have... not a huge fan of ThermalTake cases at all. They look to Transformer-ish for me. Cases similar to the NZXT is the Lian Li. But there low end cases I dont like so much. Its all a matter of personal taste for looks, but performance is my real (cooling ability) is what really matters to me.
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I just did a mod on an old computer case. It is a mid 90s Antec case that originally contained a 486. At 18.5 x 17.5 x 7 its on the small side, which is what I wanted. A simple single use build and easy to maintain. I modified it to take 3-120mm fans. 2 in the front and one optional top mount. By removing the HD mount, the two 120 fans in front have a strait shot to the VC. I found a HD mount in my parts bin to mount the HD in a 3.5 slot. The top mount 120 mm hole (I decided to use the top mount hole as a vent.) keeps the air at the top from getting too warm. And with the camouflage paint job it fits with my flight desk. Simple, maintenance friendly and cost efficient. 1 HD/1 DVD/CD Drive/1 VC/sound card (10k Raptor/8800GTX/E8400/GB MB)
I like the mods your doing. Its good to see a builder taking time to do it right. Most builders just throw the parts in and ship it out the door. I have never used a NZXT case but they look to be a good well thought out design.
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Skullman's System is finished and boxed and awaiting FedEx. The system has a Intel Q9550 2.87GHz OC @ 3.825 (1.32v to the core, idle temp 32C full load 54C
FSB. It scores on 3DMark06 17212. (http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/550513.png)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/Top_fan_power.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/Top_fan_power_2.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/front_fan_power.jpg)
(http://www.overclocksource.com/builds/cable/skullman_complete.jpg)
Best wishes Skullman, hope your feeling better... enjoy
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was having a crappy day.This just made me feel a whole lot better thanks TD.Man that sure is clean and neat looking
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I would love to see this stickied!
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I personally like the Armor series cases. One reason I have stayed away from the NZXT Tempest is the power supply location. I just don't like having my psu sitting underneath all my other components...just a personal issue for me.
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Is the PSU facing downward? If so, are there air holes in the bottom?
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That PSU is a PC & Cooling, so there is no top/bottom fan. A bottom mounted PSU is the best way to have it, IMO.
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Wow! That's impressive. My third attempt at cable management turned out nasty. Then again, who can do anything with these compact HP cases?
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That PSU is a PC & Cooling, so there is no top/bottom fan. A bottom mounted PSU is the best way to have it, IMO.
kool! Bottom mount is the way to go IMO too.
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There are 3 real heat sources in a system. The CPU, GPU and PSU. As we all know heat rises, that is why I like a bottom mount PSU, any radiated heat is dissipated within the case rather then sitting at the top and baking, giving you overall temps that are more consistant thruout the case and not hot spots.
Some case makers/designers are using chambers within their cases. Lian Li has 3 and 4 chambers within some of their cases. One for the PSU, one for the MB, CPU, GPU, one for the HD cage and one for the media drives. In principal this a great idea, but in my opinion not so good for ventilating each. There has to be an air in and air out for each chamber which is good and bad. Lots of fans but I question the CFM's in and out if they are equal or preferably negative pressure in the chamber to assist on fresh cool air in.
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There are 3 real heat sources in a system. The CPU, GPU and PSU. As we all know heat rises...
And that is precisely why most case manufacturers top mount PSU's. Why would you prefer to have uneeded heat passing by more critical components (CPU and GPU), neither of which can expel heat directly out of the case and ultimately making them harder to cool? The PSU on the other hand can expel heat directly out of the case so the PSU fan(s) acts as the final link in thermal management in a top mounted configuration. Nothing is baking because the air is moving, similar to moving rivers resisting freezing. It's also why those manufacturers who do use bottom mounted PSU's isolate them in their own lower chambers but even at that there's a slight amount of passive heat exchange.
The only advantage I can see to a bottom mounted PSU is lowering the center of gravity of the case making it harder to tip over... like that's ever going to happen.
One final note; most motherboards are also more accomodating of a top mounted rather than bottom mounted PSU. I don't think anyone will ever convince me that all the engineers from all around the world working for all the different companies manufacturing components in these areas are all wrong in their thinking. Rather I think the few who have strayed were looking for a marketing angle to differentate themselves from the competition but what do I know.
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From what I've read and understand, the bottom mount PSU case designs do have better airflow, but they are limited when using standard ATX motherboards. Cooling improved considerably when BTX motherboards were used because their layout was specifically designed for bottom mount PSU cases. Allow better airflow through the case and in the processor region.
Unfortunately, do to manufacturers not wanting to spend lots of cash changing or adding assembly lines for a new form factor, it never really caught on and have since gone the way of ZIP drives.
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And that is precisely why most case manufacturers top mount PSU's. Why would you prefer to have uneeded heat passing by more critical components (CPU and GPU), neither of which can expel heat directly out of the case and ultimately making them harder to cool? The PSU on the other hand can expel heat directly out of the case so the PSU fan(s) acts as the final link in thermal management in a top mounted configuration. Nothing is baking because the air is moving, similar to moving rivers resisting freezing. It's also why those manufacturers who do use bottom mounted PSU's isolate them in their own lower chambers but even at that there's a slight amount of passive heat exchange.
The only advantage I can see to a bottom mounted PSU is lowering the center of gravity of the case making it harder to tip over... like that's ever going to happen.
One final note; most motherboards are also more accomodating of a top mounted rather than bottom mounted PSU. I don't think anyone will ever convince me that all the engineers from all around the world working for all the different companies manufacturing components in these areas are all wrong in their thinking. Rather I think the few who have strayed were looking for a marketing angle to differentate themselves from the competition but what do I know.
Most cases do not have a top mounted fan (blow hole) so the heat collects and is used by the CPU HSF and is much warmer then if the same case had a bottom mounted PSU. There are very few cases being made with chambers. More and more case makers are going to bottom mount PSU's in their line of products. It was not thought of for convenience, it actually is cooler in the case with a bottom mount PSU. But this is all a matter of preference, chocolate or vanilla
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I seems some PSUs are made to cool only themselves thus they have only a single 80mm fan and some PSUs are more directed to act as final link in pushing hot air out of the case and they have a 120mm for intake and 80mm outlet fan.
I'd put a single 80mm fan PSU in the bottom of the case (if thats the only option) and make a single 120 fan to push out the heat from top of the case, or put a PSU with 120&80mm fans on top of the case.
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