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lx · Jul 16, 2002, 05:44 PM

I've installed an 80mm fan in anticipation of the arrival of my 1GHz Powerlogix card and the installation of a Geforce 3 card.

On initial testing of the graphics card (bit pointless having it in there with only 450 MHz at the mo), the system temp is down at 28-32 deg C, but the heat sinks on the nVidia card are bloody hot. That's as in 'frying eggs' hot. As noted in other threads, the graphics card area isn't open to the central fan airflow.

Now I've already lost an (expensive) OEM Radeon card due to overheating, and that one did come with a fan. I really don't want to burn the GF3, esp. when there's a GHz in there and I'll probably be able to stretch the graphics card.

Are there any intrepid Cubists out there with a solution? I don't really want to butcher the case with a Dremel tool but I reckon central fan airflow over the graphics card would make the Cube perfectly reliable.

TIA
lx

PowerCube · Jul 16, 2002, 07:23 PM

There is a link or two in these forums somewhere to a "cooling base" for cubes, It contains two small fans, and the cube sits on top of the unit, thus providing airflow througout the entire enclosure. You could buy one of these, (sorry, I don't remeber the link) or make your own, as I am doing. I decided to build my own with a few "minor" modifications, which I believe will make mine much more efficient.

lx · Jul 16, 2002, 07:35 PM

Doesn't the standard Cube graphics card face-plate prevent airflow from under the unit? I'm looking at mine now, and unless you perforate the plate, I can't see much air from underneath flowing past the card and up through the vents.

I'm still thinking that some internal venting would be useful to blow air directly over the card / GPU / RAM heatsinks and out through the vent.

Equally such airflow would also cool the RAM. I've also got 1.5 GB and the DIMMs seem to get pretty hot. This, of course, may be purely due to the graphics card....

However until I buy a second Cube there's no way I'm hacking about with a Dremel tool.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Sword of Orion · Jul 16, 2002, 07:54 PM

PowerCube: feel free to share the plans for your cooling base with the rest of us! I imagine that you have some special cooling considerations there in Hades - that's even hotter than it is here in Texas...

I'm in total agreement with lx, I'm not drilling or grinding anything unless I have a backup Cube.

lx · Jul 16, 2002, 08:13 PM

Yeah, a cooling base sounds like a good idea.... but you're going to need some neat skills and decent materials to put together something that looks as good / similar design to the Cube.

But yes, I'd love to see the plan for this!!!

saru boy · Jul 17, 2002, 01:57 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by lx:
Now I've already lost an (expensive) OEM Radeon card due to overheating, and that one did come with a fan. I really don't want to burn the GF3, esp. when there's a GHz in there and I'll probably be able to stretch the graphics card.

Are there any intrepid Cubists out there with a solution? I don't really want to butcher the case with a Dremel tool but I reckon central fan airflow over the graphics card would make the Cube perfectly reliable.

TIA
lx<hr /></blockquote>Look at the bottom of this <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/kmaa/cube.html" target="_blank">page</a> - the guy added a fan to a fanless Radeon 7500. It requires a bit of sawing and soldering, but only to the graphics card and not to the case.

badtz · Jul 17, 2002, 05:44 AM

Would the Radeon 7500 be better than the GF3????

lx: i totally know what you mean! I have a gf3, but haven't installed it.......

debating on selling it & forget the vid upgrade.

As for your ram getting hot........

I bought three copper ram heat spreaders to help disperse heat from the ram.

PowerCube · Jul 17, 2002, 04:14 PM

As soon as it is complete, I will post some pics.

What with school, a full time job, and family, and my other hobbies, (jet ski's, and my Hot Rod MonteCarloSS) I can't keep up from one to the next. In a sentence, the base is made from stainless steel, with a 120mm fan with an adjustable rheostat attatched. Or will be. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

lx · Jul 17, 2002, 05:14 PM

Badtz - don't sell the GF3, but stick a 1 GHz upgrade in the Cube as well... that'll be able to exercise the graphics card alright !!!

I will definitely try to keep the cube productive as long as possible - it's a classic piece of design and thankfully fairly uncommon!

To be honest though, I'll probably get one of the new 17 inch iMacs as well, but I'll never get rid of the Cube. The Cube after upgrades should still be quicker than the new iMac anyway...

x user · Jul 17, 2002, 09:58 PM

I believe that G3 card has a fan right? If so just use it with the 80mm beneith it

saru boy · Jul 17, 2002, 11:50 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by x user:
I believe that G3 card has a fan right? If so just use it with the 80mm beneith it<hr /></blockquote>Unfortunately, the 80mm fan that you can install in the Cube does not direct any air near the graphics card since the heat sink/motherboard pretty much blocks the flow of air.

I have a fan in my Cube and while I can feel the air come out from the main vent, there's no air coming out from the vent over the graphics card.