Being the eternal tinkerer has some draw-backs and perks; a new cooling system idea being proof of this. Parts list:
1) Dremel with various bits and attachments
2) High-speed fan, like you plug in to the wall
3) Drill with 1-inch hole cutter, 1/8 inch drill bit for plastic
4) Pop-rivet gun
5) Flexible plastic duct pipe, or flexible vacuum hose
6) Piece of sheet plastic 4 by 4 inches, 1/8 inch thick
7) One 4-inch long screw with wingnut
8) Roll of duct tape
Step by step:
- Pop the side panel of your case off and mark out a hole that isn't near ANYTHING. Once you've got a likely spot marked, break out your drill and cut that sucker open.
- Cut a hole through the 4x4 plastic sheet that's one inch smaller in diameter than your chosen hose/ducting.
- Slice several fracture lines in the inside of your freshly cut hole and bend the "petals" out. Use the Dremel to cut the plastic, trim to length, and also to de-burr the "petals".
- Pop-rivet the plastic sheet to the outside of your case panel. Do it to the inside and you might melt it, or you might not be able to get the thing back on! Slide your hose inside the "petals" that are sticking out and line it up. Once you're set, drill a hole through both the "petals" and hose.
- Run the screw through the hole and fix it in place using a wingnut. This will let you remove the hose if for some reason you have to get under the hood.
- Duct tape the other end of your hose to the fan, completely sealing off the ass-end of it. This will allow only hot air from inside your computer to be drawn in the fan.
- Start the fan before you start your system.
Say you wanted to just replace the stock cooling fan in the rear. No problem...
- Remove the stock fan and use a Dremel to cut out the case grills.
- Cut your plastic sheet so it fits inside the hole formerly occupied by your fan, remembering to cut "petals" in it.
- Drill through both "petals" and hose with a 1/8 inch bit making sure the "petals" are on the outside of the hose. If they are on the inside you'll never know if you properly secured them. Secure in place with a long screw and a wingnut.
- Tape the other end of your hose to a high-speed fan, remembering to seal the rear off. You don't want any air leaks.
- Turn the fan on before starting your system.
Or maybe you've got a free expansion slot right near that toasty vid card?
- Cut a V-notch out of one end of flexible ducting and cram it inside the empty slot. Make sure you leave about 2 inches between the ducting and the vid card processor.
- Slice a circular piece from the other end and lay it over the top of your fan, taping it in place. Use anything you want to stuff up any area that isn't covered by the ducting. Air leaks are bad.
- Plug the fan in and try it out!
And the perk is you've now got a two-way cooling unit. With the flip of a switch (depending on fan model) you can either suck air out of your system, or blow air in. Throw a piece of fine mesh over the face of your fan to prevent dust from being sucked inside. You don't need a system short thanks to a dust bunny! No, I haven't done this to my computer nor do I plan on it. I simply thought that maybe I've got an idea here to cool off a hot-running system. After all, if you cut that hole, or cram the hose in, near your vid card it'll either blow cool air on it or suck that load of hot air out! Heheheh, told you I was a tinkerer.....now where'd I put those tin snips?
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Flakbait [Delta6]
Delta Six's Flight SchoolPut the P-61B in Aces High"For yay did the sky darken, and split open and spew forth fire, and
through the smoke rode the Four Wurgers of the Apocalypse.
And on their canopies was tattooed the number of the Beast, and the
number was 190." Jedi, Verse Five, Capter Two, The Book of Dweeb 
[ 08-08-2001: Message edited by: flakbait ]
