SLK3700BQE Front Intake Fan for HD's-Which one? Limitations?

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:55 am

I read on the forums somewhere that on the SLK3700BQE the front intake fan is limited to a certain depth and that the Panaflo L1A won't fit (which is what I was planning on getting). I'm going to be putting a 10k rpm raptor and 2 or 3 7200 rpm HDs in the hard drive slots and I want to make sure I have air passing through them. What do you guys recommend? Thanks for any and all replies!

Also, the Sonata is less than $10 more (at amazon.com, free shipping too). Is that a better case to get? I don't particularly like how the hard drive cooling fan on the sonata is in the middle of the case instead of the front. Thanks for help on this decision as well

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:42 am

I think the BQE is a better case, as it has the front fan actually in front. The depth is limited to 25mm, so the 120mm L1A won't fit, as it is 38mm in depth. The tradeoff is that the rotated HDD cage reduces the front intake's efficiency, as there are rails that block some of the airflow. Nevertheless, plenty of air still gets to the HDDs, I am sure of that. One thing I recommend is that you keep your 10K Raptor in the top slots, so that the heat does not end up heating the other drives. Probably the 2nd from the top will do. Why not the very top, you ask? Because most of the airflow is in the middle.

As for what is a good quiet fan, that is the question. I have a Nexus Real Silent Case fan, and it's a beauty. It performs almost like the Antec stock case fan that comes with the BQE, just a little slower, and a little quieter. However, if you need a fan that can move a LOT of air, yet still remain quiet, I'd recommend a Papst 4412FGL. With a fan controller, you can turn it down to a lower voltage when it is unattended/idle, so that it can be quieter, and then when you need the cooling, you can turn it up to 12V. The Nexus/Antec fans @ 12V are quiet, but do not move as much air, nor do they provide the same performance as the 4412FGL @ 12V.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:38 am

Wow, thanks for your reply, it was very helpful. SPCR forums are the most friendly forums I have encountered...ever.

Now about the fan controller. What's a good one that will fit behind the door on the 3700BQE? Also something inexpensive. Are there any software options that could automatically turn down the speed at night or when the computer is idle or something? Because knowing me, I'll mess with the knobs the first couple nights I have it and then forget about it after that.

Also, I noticed people have been cutting out the metal grill in the front of the 3700. Is that really necessary? And if so, how should I do that? I am completely handyman incapable, and I don't have any tools that I know of that can cut through the metal. I have trouble even hammering a nail straight, lol.

And last thing, would it be a better idea to get a hard drive cooler and put the raptor in a 5.25" slot? And if so, do you guys have any recomendations on coolers? Again, trying to keep cost down so a $40 HD cooler is probably not going to be an option. Thanks again!

inertia8 · Post by **inertia8** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:39 am

Also:
Tape off... the unused 5.25" Drive bays with Duct Tape, the holes behind the Button/LED holder and any other hole that is not used by the bezel.

Cut out the fan grills

You may also want to add some baffling to direct the airflow through the drive cage only... though I have no idea of the effects of this and will test and publish results here when I do it... probably 3 weeks away...

Cheers,

Tibors · Post by **Tibors** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:25 am

CompMan86 wrote:Also, I noticed people have been cutting out the metal grill in the front of the 3700. Is that really necessary? And if so, how should I do that? I am completely handyman incapable, and I don't have any tools that I know of that can cut through the metal. I have trouble even hammering a nail straight, lol.

At the top of the this forum (Cases & Damping) there is a sticky Modding & Cutting with Tin Snips. The method described there is by far the easiest there is.

limee · Post by **limee** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:26 am

The Panaflo L1A, or any 38mm thick fan, does fit if you remove the fan holder and attach it normally, though that does require some drilling or filing. That or decide to mount the fan via tie wraps

bobov · Post by **bobov** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:41 am

Are you sure? It's 3700BQE.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:45 am

Is the Papst 4412FGL or the Vantec Stealth 120mm better? Same dimensions. I'm having trouble finding a store in the US that sells the Papst, but the vantec is sold everywhere.

Also, am I better off putting my raptor 10k rpm drive in a 5.25" bay with a hard drive cooler or should I leave it with my other two 7200 RPM HDs in the sideways mounted HD holder

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:39 am

limee wrote:The Panaflo L1A, or any 38mm thick fan, does fit if you remove the fan holder and attach it normally, though that does require some drilling or filing. That or decide to mount the fan via tie wraps

I don't think you're talking about the BQE... because the BQE does not have any fan holder of any type. The front fan screws directly onto the metal frame of the case, and extends outward from the metal frame to the front of the removable plastic bezel, which allows for only 25mm depth fans. Using 38mm fans will prevent the entire plastic bezel from being able to reattach.

The Papst is better, CompMan86. Vantec isn't that great when it comes to fans, at least in my experience.

If you suspended your 10K Raptor in a 5.25 bay, or used a hard drive cooler, yes, that would be a better solution. What sideways mounted HD holder are you referring to, because there is none in the BQE.

As Tibors wrote, there is a section in SPCR forums about cutting. I don't think cutting the metal grille in front of the 3700 is really necessary, at least for the BQE. It's pretty unrestrictive.

Do what inertia8 said, with taping off the bays. Not sure about using duct tape though, it can be really hard to remove after a while, and can leave a residue. Again, the fan grilles are up to your decision. Baffling, I have no idea what that is.

For the fan controller, I'd say a Vantec Nexus Fan controller. There are several variations, again, up to how you want to use it. There is also another part in SPCR that speaks of fans and controlling them in the "Fans and Control" section of the forums. I'm sure you can find ample information there than my tired hands can provide.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:52 pm

Where can I buy papst fans in the US?

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:04 pm

Pretty much anywhere online. Just do a search, and you can find one pretty easily. I'm sure one of SPCR's affiliates sells them, I got mine from FrozenCPU.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:27 pm

I can't find it on frozencpu.com. Can you give a direct link?

mg1394 · Post by **mg1394** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:27 pm

look at fans at www.siliconacoustics.com who are a forum sponsor. The 4412F/2GL can also be operated from the motherboard or variable with a Zalman Fanmate.

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:07 am

Sorry, I did get mine from SiliconAcoustics. I apologize. It's been a while since I've ordered anything...

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:09 am

$25 + shipping for a FAN? Ouch. If I can't get it cheaper I might be forced to go with the stealth

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:15 am

Well where do you live? I have 2 4412FGLs I'm not using, because I am using the stock Antec BQE fan / Nexus Real Silent fan. While they do not move as much air, they are quieter @ 12V than the FGLs are (undervolted). If you'd like, I could sell them to you. I'd have to figure out shipping though.

Pauli · Post by **Pauli** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:43 am

What about the Globe 120mm fans? I've got a couple arriving today at about $8 each. Supposedly the same as the Acoustifans for 1/3 the price.

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:32 am

I've never used Globe fans, so I can't really help/give any trustworthy information. Sorry ...

But I'm sure that if you search the Fans and Control section you'll get some help there

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 12:43 pm

how much do you want for one acaurora?

acaurora · Post by **acaurora** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 12:48 pm

Well currently I'm talking with daba, he wants one too. PM me with your zip code, and I can relay back to you in a bit how much it costs to ship to you, approximately. I am only asking for the shipping charges, and maybe a few bucks in return.

Bort · Post by **Bort** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:33 pm

Compman86 - a good fan controller that fits behind the door is the Sunbeam Rheobus - I have one in my BQE case and it fits just fine. You can even see one pictured in the 3700BQE review on this site.

As for the taping up of drive bays etc, I tried that the other night, covering the floppy bays and the one free 5.25" bay with tape. I noticed however that the case was getting fairly warm aound the (2) optical drives at the front top of the case. I'm not sure if is something to do with the heat from the rheobus (currently only one fan is being run off it) but I have done some rearranging.

Of the four bays in the case, it is now, from bottom up, the rheobus, an empty bay left open to draw air over the heatsinks on the rheobus, and 2 optical drives. I'll see how warm it is when I get home later, and what effect there is on hard drive temps.

I'll say this though, taping up all the holes did get the hard drive a bit cooler, but I might sacrifice a degree or 2 to keep the rest of the case cooler.

Oh yeah, first post

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 7:10 pm

PM sent acaurora

Bort · Post by **Bort** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:56 pm

Just an update on the taping up of the openings - there wasn't much of a difference leaving the tape off, I think its the CDRW that's just getting warm on its own. I've taped the holes back up and I now have a nice cool 26C hard drive, in a 18C room. MB temp is 23.

inertia8 · Post by **inertia8** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:58 pm

Good to hear!

What have you used as tape, as I currently have mine duct taped... seemed easier as it is just a bit wider than the 5.25" slots are tall...

limee · Post by **limee** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:17 pm

bobov wrote:Are you sure? It's 3700BQE.

Argh sorry 'bout that, yes I was thinking of the AMB

Bort · Post by **Bort** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:13 am

inertia8 wrote:Good to hear!

What have you used as tape, as I currently have mine duct taped... seemed easier as it is just a bit wider than the 5.25" slots are tall...

I just used your regular clear packing tape, about 50mm wide.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 6:17 am

I still haven't found a good 120mm fan. The two places I know of that carry the globe fan are charging rediculous shipping and handling. Apparently the vantec stealth isn't very good. What other reasonably priced 120mm fans are good? Thanks!

bobov · Post by **bobov** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:14 am

coolcases.com sell Globe 120MM fan at $8.

Blackeagle · Post by **Blackeagle** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 6:54 pm

While I'm no expert on low noise, I do have a 3700BQE case.

I moved the stock 120mm fan that comes with the case to the front location, then installed a Noiseblocker SX in the rear location.

It works well for me. I can have a very low noise system, or by turning up the fans (all are on a reobus) on the 2 case fans and the CPU cooler (50% on this fan is as high as I ever go, more than that isn't worth it) I can O/C my XP to 218 X 11 = 2.4gig and still have less noise than my last system had.

CompMan86 · Post by **CompMan86** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:20 pm

Wow, I've never heard that thought. So the stock fan with the 3700BQE is a 25mm deep fan? Is it easy to take off the back and put on the front? Those silicon isolators can be released and put back without breaking them? I might cancel my order for the Globe fan I ordered and put a Panaflo L1A 120mm in the back and put the stock 3700BQE fan in the front.

The question comes down to really is the stock antec fan in the 3700BQE better than the Globe 120mm fan? The Globe is thermally controlled by that thermistor on a lead (which I could tape to a hard drive). However, I don't know if I want the front case fan to be thermally controlled or not. I don't plan on installing a bay fan controller. Thanks for any input! I need to make a decision before Monday so I can cancel my order on the Globe if need be.