Aspire HTPC Project- Part Two

Project Date Log; February 13, 2008

Before we start looking at temperatures and ultimately the performance capabilities of the HTPC that we have cobbled together it would be best to back track and look at what we have done to our case structure.

The case as supplied by Aspire has a number of see through Acrylic windows. One on top and two on the sides. While these do tend to look attractive the ravages of time tend to treat them unfairly and they get scratched and discolored. They also tend to enclose the heat produced by the power supply and other components inside the case. There are two side vents and a 120mm fan attached to the rear of the case but it is a bit of a struggle to get a compromise with heat and noise levels using this configuration of fans and vents. For our HTPC we really don't want any extraneous sound source diverting our entertainment enjoyment.The solution is to replace the Acrylic panels with something more durable and passive. To do this we obtained some light aluminium mesh which matched the honey comb of the case rear fan mount. After a bit of trimming and the fitting of some stainless screws enter the passively cooled Aspire.

Meshed Aspire One

Meshed Aspire Two

With the case modifications out of the way its on to the radiator changes mentioned in Part One 0f this project.

In Part one there was some need to look at future planning for the eventual use of the HTPC as a de facto gaming machine. This also involved overclocking and a possible increase in the cooling of other parts such as the video card and Northbridge. After some usage time with this CPU we are now able to make the final radiator adjustments much smaller than we at first thought. Keeping in mind we want the best of all worlds viz an overclocked quiet machine.

Initially we reached for a triple system using an internal dual and an external single radiator. After some thought we have down graded the plan to a fully internalized dual radiator system. We like this idea better as it maintains the original lines of the case.

So on with the modifications.

To do this modification it is necessary to pull down the complete case and remove the motherboard. I have never been happy to drill holes in cases with a motherboard in place even with sheeting covering up the motherboard. Small pieces of metal can travel mysteriously between the sheeting and ruin a motherboard bringing a project to a sour halt. For the time saving involved it is simply not worth it just to cover up.

Pull Down

With the motherboard and cooling system removed the radiator mounts can be drilled and screwed in place.

Radiator Mounting

Before final placement the single fan can be fitted in place and the radiator secured to the internal frame.

Radiator and Fan fitting

Next its time to check if we have maintained our clearances to fit our new case housing in place and we are ready to fire it all up.

Finished Side veiw

Finished Case Project

In Part Three we will look at the performance of our system at overclocked levels.