Case Cooling and Airflow - How much does it matter

[CasheKicker]

I started this trial in a previous thread What do your video cards temp while just playing singleplayer COD4..... ? and have decided to move it here for more testing. I have recently. last night, moved my system from my Antec 900 case into an old budget case in preparation to build my new rig. Immediately I have noticed a significant difference in my temps.

I will start by posting my original data collected in my Antec 900 case last week.
Next I will do a duplicate batch of tests identical to the first set only this time in my budget case.

I will add the budget cast has virtually no airflow and no case fans what so ever. This will clearly show how important a good case with ample airflow is for your rig. Probably the most important factor when it comes to cooling over everything else like after market heatsinks. Not that they don't do wonders, but nothing like the temp changes I think you are going to see here.

So my initial tests in detail with the identical system in the Antec 900 case are as follows:

OK, after 4hrs of testing various setups of the GPU settings

Well even though the drivers have the above warning everything appears to be working. SO after a few tests here are my readings. Note: I am running an Antec 900 case with 3 x 120mm Antec 3 speed fans in the front of my case blowing towards my MOBO and GPU, 1x120mm cooler master on my side panel blowing directly on the GPU, 1x120mm coolermaster exhausting out the back of the case, 1x240mm Antec 3 speed exhausting out the top of the case. I will play with these settings a bit but a very deep trial of all the different fan settings would take much to much time. Between each temperature I allowed appx, 15min between setting change to give the temps a chance to stabilize.

All temps read with Rivatuner with -/+1 degree fluctuation, Ambient Room Temperature 20 Deg C, all load tests were done in COD 4, same settings with 1650x1080.

Idle Readings @ Default settings all case fans on LOW
Core Clk: 499.5 Mhz
Mem Clk: 1188Mhz
Core Tmp: 46.31 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 37.06 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 27%
Fan Spd: 1751 rpm
Volt Reg: 44 Deg C

With the side panel fan disabled
Core Tmp: 48.11 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 39.34 Deg C

Side Panel Removed
Core Tmp: 49.27 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 41.06 Deg C

Interesting to note that removal of my side panel produced the highest temps at idle.

EDIT: Turned off all Antec Case fans with the exception of read exhaust.
Core Tmp: 52.88 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 43.06 Deg C
Goes to show case cooling makes a significant difference

Bumping all 4 varible speed case fans to High:
Core Tmp: 45.88 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 35.06 Deg C

Idle Temps with GPU Fan @ 60% case fans low
Core: 38.55 Deg C
Amb: 34.06 Deg C
Case Fan speed adjustment brings both temps down a touch, about an additional 1 deg C

For Giggles Idle Temps with GPU Fan @ 100% case fans low
Core: 36.43 Deg C
Amb: 34.06 Deg C

Idle with GPU fan @ 100% Case Fans in my Antec 900 to the High settings keeping 100% Fan on GPU:
Core: 35.52 Deg
Amb: 33.06 Deg


COD4 Readings @ Default settings Mission Select "Death From Above
Note: in Game, Core Clk 621, Mem Clock 1800
Core Tmp: 85 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 53 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 36%
Fan Spd: 2400 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C

Same as above with all case fans turned off with exception of rear exhaust.
Core Tmp: 89.63 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 62.06 Deg C

COD4 Readings @ Fan @ 60% Mission Select "Death From Above
Core Tmp: 70 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 49 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 59%
Fan Spd: 3630 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C

COD4 Readings GPU Fan at @ 100% Mission Select "Death From Above
Core Tmp: 62 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 43 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 100%
Fan Spd: 5197 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C

COD4 Readings GPU Fan at @ 100% Mission Select "Death From Above with Case fans cranked to high
Core Tmp: 56.25 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 42.06 Deg C

Note: The fan volume @ 60% is bearable but at 100% is sounds like my GPU is going to fly out of the case. I should pick up some after market cooling someday and compare these numbers.

However it cant be ignored that the temps when all fans running at 100% and case fans on high the full load temps are almost identical to the Idle temps with no added cooling solutions. Quite impressive results.

This was fun and educational!!

The pictures in this thread are of the Antec 900
__________________

[CasheKicker]

I will be doing testing for the next several hours. Hopefully I will have some results and post them later this evening. I hope to have it complete by 8pm EST.

Be sure to check back for the SHOCKING results.

[CasheKicker]

ATTENTION: All the following test results in this thread are invalid due to U.I.E. (user interface error). Disregard these results. I shall explain in detail after redoing all tests.

Now in the BUDGET case. For ease of seeing the difference I have copy and pasted the original results in GREEN, the results for the BUDGET CASE can be seen in RED

All temps read with Rivatuner with -/+1 degree fluctuation, Ambient Room Temperature 20 Deg C, all load tests were done in COD 4, same settings with 1650x1080.

Idle Readings @ Default settings all case fans on LOW
Core Clk: 499.5 Mhz
Mem Clk: 1188Mhz
Core Tmp: 46.31 Deg C 70.25
Amb Tmp: 37.06 Deg C 55.06
Duty Cycle: 27%
Fan Spd: 1751 rpm
Volt Reg: 44 Deg C 64.04

With the side panel fan disabled
NOT APPLICABLE


Side Panel Removed
Core Tmp: 49.27 Deg C 66.25
Amb Tmp: 41.06 Deg C 52.04

Interesting to note that removal of my side panel produced the highest temps at idle in the Antec.
Temps in the budget case actually reduced with the side panel off.

EDIT: Turned off all Antec Case fans with the exception of read exhaust.
Core Tmp: 52.88 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 43.06 Deg C
Goes to show case cooling makes a significant difference
Even the design of the Antec case with no fans running proved to allow better airflow and better cooling than the budget case.

Bumping all 4 varible speed case fans to High:
NOT APPLICABLE


Idle Temps with GPU Fan @ 60% case fans low
Core: 38.55 Deg C 59.25
Amb: 34.06 Deg C 51.06
Case Fan speed adjustment brings both temps down a touch, about an additional 1 deg C

For Giggles Idle Temps with GPU Fan @ 100% case fans low
Core: 36.43 Deg C 54.13 Amb: 34.06 Deg C 47.06

Idle with GPU fan @ 100% Case Fans in my Antec 900 to the High settings keeping 100% Fan on GPU:
N/A


COD4 Readings @ Default settings Mission Select "Death From Above
Note: in Game, Core Clk 621, Mem Clock 1800
Core Tmp: 85 Deg C Exceded 110 deg C after 5min test aborted
Amb Tmp: 53 Deg C 76.06+
Duty Cycle: 36%
Fan Spd: 2400 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C 87+

Same as above with all case fans turned off with exception of rear exhaust.
Core Tmp: 89.63 Deg C
Amb Tmp: 62.06 Deg C

COD4 Readings @ Fan @ 60% Mission Select "Death From Above
Core Tmp: 70 Deg C Exceded 110 deg C after 5min test aborted Amb Tmp: 49 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 59%
Fan Spd: 3630 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C

COD4 Readings GPU Fan at @ 100% Mission Select "Death From Above
Core Tmp: 62 Deg C Exceded 110 deg C after 5min test aborted Amb Tmp: 43 Deg C
Duty Cycle: 100%
Fan Spd: 5197 rpm
Volt Reg: 57 Deg C

COD4 Readings GPU Fan at @ 100% Mission Select "Death From Above with Case fans cranked to high

N/A

COD4 Readings GPU Fan at @ 100% Mission Select "Death From Above SIDE PANEL REMOVED
I was able to complete the mission with the side panel removed, however the temps were still much higher than I am comfortable with.

Core Temps reached 102 degC after only one mission, a duration of about 10mins

The results are indisputable. The most important cooling solution anyone can purchase is a case that can provide adequate airflow to ensure every other solution can work efficiently. I was not even able to finish one single mission with my current setup even if I preset the GPU cooler to 100% fixed duty load cycle. In the antec case even when I was maxed out with all case fans turned off I was getting better temps than the "Budget Case" at idle.

This certainly speaks volumes to me on the need for a GOOD case and lots of airflow. Now after changing all this hardware over to the budget case I feel the need to buy a new case or at least some case fans, as it is obvious that with this crap case I am running will only shorten the life of all my gear. Below is a photo of the culprit.

[CasheKicker]

As you can see by comparing the pictures from Test 1 to those of Test 2, the setup of the PCs were identical, the only factor that changed was the case and case fans. I was even using the same OCZ GameXstream 850w poser supply in both cases to ensure the power was stable and the same quality.

I would have liked to do more extensive testing but based on my high temperatures I opted to stop before I hurt something. I feel the test was a success and a point has been shown.
I can only imagine at this point how the CPU and other areas would also be affected.

[djnocide]

nice test. Can't find a lot of case test like that on the net.

[Cardboard box with DSL]

Nice!
I wonder if we could start a new 'trend' for case reviews. ie. Airflow reviews, use different cases, in the same room, at the same room temp using the same fans and see which airflow design works the best!

[CasheKicker]

I would enjoy that. Set up a nice set of standardized tests to show temps along with a smoke test to show airflow. That would be sweet now all I need is some cases to review.

[ebdoradz]

now just cut the front of that budget case and add 2*80mm fan where they suppose to go, and cut the rear and add 2*80mm where they suppose to go you will a diff,

dont expect the same temps has your antec but you can deffinalty show the canuck that even a cheap case with a couple fan can do the job

make sure your front fan have a bit more cfm then your rear fan that will you will have a possitive pressure in your case and your temp will drop compare to those "no fan" temp

[t0m]

wow the results were crazy. i seriously didnt think the temps would be that much higher. thanks for going through all that work and testing and posting your results

[CasheKicker]

Originally Posted by ebdoradz

now just cut the front of that budget case and add 2*80mm fan where they suppose to go, and cut the rear and add 2*80mm where they suppose to go you will a diff,

dont expect the same temps has your antec but you can deffinalty show the canuck that even a cheap case with a couple fan can do the job

make sure your front fan have a bit more cfm then your rear fan that will you will have a possitive pressure in your case and your temp will drop compare to those "no fan" temp

I see this happening in the not so distant future...

Anybody got any free fans they want to throw at me. I am not so sure I want to invest $$ in this case. I could probably get a new one for about the same as its going to cost me to mod it, ummm, well maybe not quite as cheap. But then again the mod sounds like much more fun.