I'm gonna build custom case next week probably, so am curious how much space is required for gpu to have normal airflow without problems (I'm using AMD RX460 2GB -- Sapphire dual fan version --).
My goal is to make smallest possible case that fits mAtx board, CM Hyper212 evo, fullsize psu and max 2 hdds. For now the gap between gpu and hdds since it stays like : ~1cm
|::::::gpu::::::::
| -hdd- -hdd-
|-------------------
I would think possibly some would advise using an AIO cooler in the smallest possible case as the height of the cooler I would assume isn't as high as the CM Hyper 212 Evo. Now yes you have to find a place for the reservoir but I think that can be done without issue. Yes?
Unless you're using a side fan that's pushing in air from the side directly onto the GPU/HDDs area I would give the GPU a lot more space to breathe, like 3-4 cm. You'll be able to even upgrade to a more powerful GPU that requires more thermal dissipation with a 3-4cm gap.
If you need some data to work on there are some video online that shows what happens if you place an open style cooler card near something that blocks most of the air intake (I think Kyle aka Bitwit has one on his channel).
mhm, changing current hardware isn't an option :P anyways I would like to send pic here but you don't wanna see my insane art skillz (win98 paint style) but i can actually put 2x 9cm fans to blow air from front to gpu+hdds, would that help much anyways i was thinking to make max 2cm gap would it be enough? altho this is <75w tdp gpu
You may want to give it a bit more than a single cm... What you want on the fans to have enough space to suck fresh air and push the warm one from the sides. You also want enough fresh air intake on the bottom, so it pushes the warm air away. I don't know what people have against the bottom mounted fans, but I wish my case had another one.
I was thinking to make like separate airflow:
cpu ( intake from back of case[1x 120mm]->cpu[1x 120mm]->psu[1x 120mm]( gonna serve as exhaust fan))
gpu (intake from front of case[2x90mm]->air goes between hdd and gpu->gpu[2x85mm]( gonna serve as exhaust fan)
Don...D...Don't use the psu as exhaust... My psu barely spinns it's fan. It's so slow, that I am not even sure if it's on or off...
You don't want to give the psu a separate chamber. I can understand that. Put it in the front.
like this it would be ~300x200x250mm case
and yes all fans will be at 5V since CHA_FAN headers are having retarded settings in bios and fanxpert doesn't exist for last 2 years or so ...
*ps: dont take serious my sketch skillz, I suck at it a lot unless i use any cad prog/ make real technical drawing
The thing is, the gpu puts more air inside the case. It barely exhausted anything out... So you are expecting a psu fan to exhaust all hot air from the case.
Try and move the psu on the front bottom and make a hdd cage, similar to Define S - on the side, so it will not interfere with the airflow...
Put the fan next to the cpu as exhaust and put an intake fan on the bottom where currently your hard drive is...
You're right it's not reference design so heat goes all around instead of vents at back
