Good Thermal Results - New Cooling Approach - Hugh Disappointment
Good Thermal Results
Today I did some major work on the Cube.
Here are the temps after running CPU Test Enormous test for 20-30 minutes.
Note: These temps are about 10 degrees
lower than anything I have tested previously for this build.
Geekbench
I don't know how to configure over-clocking but think could get some more MHZ out of this machine. Im summary I used Chameleon Wizard to setup smbios.plist for Mac Mini 6,2 then used ssdtPRGen to create the SSDT.AML file, no other changes except adjusting fan speeds.
New Cooling Approach
Basically I took a different approach than I have seen before. The approach is to treat the Cube like a laptop and specifically direct airflow through the computer in directed way.
Remember this design means I only need 2 x 92mm cooling fans, So means I have plenty of room (relative term) for optical drive, 3.5" HDD, and 2.5" SSD.
Here is how it works:
I - Air drawn in the bottom through case fan (see previous posts). With added air isolation blocking off holes at bottom of case to anything outer than the fan intake. This prevents air circulating around the fan, and to air escaping out the bottom, to be redrawn in by the fan.
II - A cowling covering the chasis fan directs airflow horizontally through the latching mechanism emerging at the bottom of the motherboard.
III - This air cools the south bridge and other components on the motherboard
IV - CPU Fan is located in-between the latching mechanism, close to the heatsink
V - CPU heatsink has cowling that seals airflow from the heatsink to the Fan, meaning all air from the fan , must travel through the heatsink itself, no air can escape. This counteracts the problem where the fan is offset from the heatsink (see much earlier posts)
VI - CPU Fan SUCKS air (NOT Blows) through the CPU heatsink. Air circulating around the motherboard is then drawn through the heatsink, exhausting towards the front of the latching mechanism.
VII - The front of the latching mechanism is sealed, at the bottom by the cowling from #2 above, and at the front by the HDD drive that is mounted (almost) in the original location.
VIII - This leaves only one exit for heated air, and that is straight UP through the grille. As HDD is next to the CPU fan it is cooled (actually probably warmed) by air before it escapes.
During stress tests I can actually feel heated air on my face 50cm above the cube, I think this shows how effective this solution is at forcing air out of the top of the Cube.
I would love to have a pictorial diagram of this, time does not permit.
Hugh Disappointment
So after an enormous amount of work today, and some good temperature results. One huge disappointment. My Cube no longer fits inside the Can....…
The tests above were taken with the Cube protruding about a centermeter from the bottom.
Here is the cuprit.
To make room at the bottom I moved the HDD higher in the case, it is clearly too high.
As always welcome comments and feedback. Today has been a marathon...
Kiwi