How to cool down my mini-pc into my drawer?

patrick295767 · 02-20-2012, 03:12 PM

Hi, I was annoyed the noise of my mini lenovo pc multimedia.

I put it into my drawer of my furniture under my TV. Fine = much less noise.

Today, I saw that ... sensors where getting crazy:

Code:

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  ... I open now the drawer               
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How to cool this PC/drawer or alternative solution could you evaluate as a solution?

thank you for your help

TB0ne · 02-20-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick295767

Hi, I was annoyed the noise of my mini lenovo pc multimedia.
I put it into my drawer of my furniture under my TV. Fine = much less noise. Today, I saw that ... sensors where getting crazy:

How to cool this PC/drawer or alternative solution could you evaluate as a solution?

Uhh...open the drawer? Seriously, this really isn't a Linux issue at all.

If your computer isn't getting enough airflow, then you either need to put it somewhere ventilated, or drill a hole and install a fan in the back of the drawer. Not much else can be done.

TobiSGD · 02-20-2012, 03:37 PM

The obvious solution would be not to lock the PC in a drawer, but seek ways to get it run more quiet in the first place.
Something like changing the fans with larger and less noisy models, put damping material in it, ... .
If you really have to put it in your drawer drill holes in the front and pack plates of that drawer and put 120mm fans on those wholes to get enough airflow.

kuser:) · 02-20-2012, 04:02 PM

I agree with TobiSGD, but also remove any dust, especially if it might lower the efficiency of ventilators and radiators. Make sure you don't damage any warranty stickers or labels if they're still valid.

jefro · 02-20-2012, 09:29 PM

You might consider any of the above or some ideas to reduce heat.

Open some holes in the back of the drawer.

Slow the cpu down a bit and maybe memory and maybe some voltages. All kind of go together.

Reduce tasks, eliminate un-needed services.

Use apm or other acpi features to turn off parts if available.

Add in a small more quiet fan.

Consider power brick to adapter to replace the common power supply.

Dunno, maybe more.

I agree that the drawer may not be a great choice.

patrick295767 · 02-21-2012, 12:53 AM

thank you. it helped ... here a picture of the little machine

the power brick is outside the drawer

maybe I could remove all plastics around the mini pc (maybe get off the warranty)

and drill and screw several fans into my drawer, but if I make bigs holes in the back of my drawer to flow outside the air, then I could get some noise coming, being reflected on the wall at the back of the furniture.

Let's think... I think about all the solutions your proposed... (thinking in progress...)

MarkoSan · 02-21-2012, 01:35 AM

If there is possibility to "modifiy" the drawer, drll 4 holes in it and install large fans into into so the comp will get constant air flow!

onebuck · 02-21-2012, 07:59 AM

Hi,

If you place a plenum in the drawer for a fan then you will be able to minimize the reflection. You can use a secure vibration mount for the fan. I would use a simple inlet with baffle and you would need to enclose the drawer. Optimize the air flow so you really do not have excessive cooling fan noise.

Another way to reduce the noise from the drawer is use a liner to minimize noise. You can use anechoic foam or just use peaked foam sheeting(cheaper), looks like indented foam with peaks(pyramidal). That way any noise will be absorbed/dissipated within.

You could use a thermionic device for cooling but this can lead to other issue(s) like condensation (if not done properly), mount technique and power.
HTH!

catkin · 02-21-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick295767

maybe I could remove all plastics around the mini pc (maybe get off the warranty)

That's what I would do then:

Remove its own fan (any significant fan in a case that small has to be noisy).
Make two standard fan size holes in the back of the drawer, at least 120 mm dia, fit with metal grilles and filter cloth (cooker extractor/hood cloth?).
Line the rest of the drawer with anechoic foam as onebuck suggested.
Fit a quality, quiet fan on the intake (check out silentpcreview to find out what's currently good), somehow mounted so any mechanical vibration is not transmitted to the wood of the drawer.
Somehow mount the mini PC in a similar way, angled so its hot parts are in the airflow.
Buy more duct tape.
Arrange dividers/ducts to ensure the intake air blows on the mini PC before exiting.
Fit a lid on the drawer to prevent air escaping where you don't want it to, lined on the underside with anechoic foam.
Stand back and feel yourself into a new Heath Robinson or Rube Goldberg persona

EDIT: with a bit of luck the mini PC's fan was speed controlled and you can drive the new fan off its fan header, otherwise you will want a voltage control device to manually adjust its speed to get OK CPU temperature in the hottest ambient temperatures.