Here are the results from different Tophat configurations - AIR, let's discuss the results!
Thank you for publishing the tests above @PaChalski!
The MS configuration has interesting spikes. I would have expected the general trend to match the other two configurations (like XS and M already do). Instead, the temperatures seem to rise against XS+M at some key points. I wonder what's going on there.
Would you happen to have specs on the fans by the way? If the MS configuration had slim fans in the bottom, they would probably have had lower CFM ratings relative to the 120mm in the topmost hat right? The reason I ask is because the thin profile of the small hat + the low profile rubber feet doesn't seem like it would give the fans much clearance to pull in air.
I wonder if either the slim fans in the M hat, or the 120x25mm fans in an L hat would have sufficient clearance to pull in air more effectively.
I'm ultimately interested in a positive pressure setup with 120x25mm fans in an M hat in the bottom; I suspect that when using exhaust fans at the top only, xpockets of hot air might get trapped at the bottom of the case below the motherboard and also under the GPU (if using an aftermarket open-air as opposed to blower).
It would be interesting to see results for intake-only setups too. Specifically:
1) S-Hat with 2x slim fans on the bottom
2) M-hat with 2x slim fans on the bottom
3) M-hat with 2x regular (25mm-thick) fans on the bottom
3) L-hat with 2x regular (25mm-thick) fans on the bottom
Yes, those spikes do look funny. Could it simply be an offset of the data series? We could try to align them better and see if it makes more sense?
Looking at the average numbers we see the slim bottom fans in MS run are helping, both in terms of temps and lowering GPU fan speeds, resulting in a more quiet system. All case fans were set to 800 RPM where they don't create any noise.
Fans used in the bottom is our only NF-A12x15 PWM (still waiting for two more to arrive that we found in Denmark) and the Shuriken fan that comes with the cooler - Not an ideal choice of fans =)
Top fans are Corsair, the ones that come with the H100 v2.
My thoughts are that AIO up top & dual 25mm thick fans down below (with an open air GPU) might be the way to go...
With dual 120mm x 25mm fans in the bottom set as intake & the AIO fans exhausting, this should be more of a positive pressure setup...?
But I would definitely swap the current feet for ones two to three times taller, for improved airflow from below...!
Here are some pictures with the S24 AIO installed in the bottom. A very nice choice for the Ghost btw!
- Quiet
- No cable clutter
- Great thermals
- Swedish
- Quick easy installation
Seems like for air cooling the l12 is the most well rounded in your air cooler tests, another good bet may be a c7 cooler with a 25mm noctua fan, at 58mm it should avoid the turbulence, and fair much better than the l9i. With the copper c7 (if that will ever come out) it might be an even better set up then the l12. Thoughts? If you knew the thermal conductivity and surface area of the heat sink could you get a rough idea of performance?
Do you guys think I would be able to fit an MSI gtx 970 into the case? I've been looking around for the specs of the card and come up with 142mm which is just short of the 143mm you allow. Will it fit comfortably in the case?
Really looking forward to the campaign this Saturday. Will be tuning in from Denmark!
Thanks for the reply. Will surely have to measure that when I get home!I
If the GPU is no longer than 305 mm and if the power connectors don't sit at the very top of the card (standing on the PCB) it will fit perfectly!
Thanks for the reply. Will surely have to measure that when I get home!