Computers Are Cool! | Installing a Computer Cabinet Ventilation Fan

Most premade computer desks have a cabinet for the computer, which is little more than a poorly ventilated box. This is terrible for your computer, so most desk manufacturers tell you to leave the door open when the computer is in use. If you're like me, you probably have your computer on all day and you don't like the look with the door open. Adding a cabinet fan to exhaust the hot air from inside is a great solution to this problem.
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[@zjuliet4121]

*Works great with **Fastly.Cool** , exactly as described. Love the fact that it can push, pull, or exchange air with the push of a button. The remote is a nice bonus too!*

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You bet 👍

[@princeoflove713]

This is exactly what I was looking for and your preemptively answered all my questions. Thank you for posting this and being thorough with the process.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful 👍

[@BraDolMag1]

beautiful work.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thank you!

[@JoeSavySC2]

Exactly what I'm looking for.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Good to hear!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

@@tun0fun A good question. I didn't want to have a couple gaping large holes down where my feet would be. Also, a bunch of smaller holes will filter out hair and dust balls a lot better to keep the inside of the cabinet cleaner. I could have put a filter cloth over a larger hole, true, but didn't like how that would look.

[@GavDoG7]

Thanks for making this video! Just what I needed. Where did you get that fan shroud from?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

See the link in the description

[@KoolCreation]

Cool!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks!

[@ForeverSilk]

Good video. Much needed. Where did you get the fan?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

See the link in the description

[@cmasscmass]

It's a good idea, but I'm dealing with a 32 core and 24 cord custom built computer's so I'm looking for something that will move more air within the case areas to keep the systems cooler. I've also been looking into a big server case custom built with at least 20 to 40 140mm fans. I think that's a far amount to move the air flow. Thinks for your video it give me a starting point.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Yeah, you're gonna want way more airflow than what mine is putting out. And probably something designed with airflow in mind, not stomp fit into an existing box like I did.

[@thebrightsideofthemoon5829]

Use a drinks cooler, Samsung make a nice sleek one with a smoked glass door

[@Gaming-Doc]

Great vid.. my setup is a bit different in that its a (really) small cupboard under the stairs (twice the size of the pc).. I can fit the fan in the door but no where to drill holes for inlet.. can I just make a hole in the bottom of the same door to let cool air in?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Sure. You just need somewhere for the air to go in.

[@MuxyMusic]

Is the fans loud ? I’m thinking about having one on each side of a Vocal booth? What do you think

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

The fans are a quiet hum. If you're intending to use these somewhere you might record voice, they might be picked up by a microphone.

[@Kidddas]

I also downloaded speedfan also to control PC fans.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Speedfan doesn't control external fans, I don't think. At least it didn't the last time I had it installed.

[@spicemelange418]

Do you think fans are still necessary if one side of my cabinet is open ? Wouldn’t it be enough to cut a whole in the bottom because then the air could circulate through that whole and that one side of the cabinet that is open. My only fear is that that the gap between the open side and the wall is too narrow and therefore not much of the hot air could get out of the cabinet.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

If one side of your cabinet is open, fans aren't going to do much of anything. They require restricted air entry to draw in relatively cooler air to make up the hotter exhaust.

[@Apegangheat]

Just a quick question. Is the fan pulling hot air out of the cabinet or pulling cool air into the cabinet?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Pulling air out of the cabinet

[@stevef1304]

I have it in a cabinet with thermometer and the same cabinet fans i need more fans or actually air conditioning in there still gets way to hot

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You may just need more airflow. I do some hefty gaming with mine and it still stays within a reasonable temperature.

[@cbwrestler103]

Do you think I will need to do this or even drill any holes of the entire back side is open? Basically, 2 side walls with a door. Closed on top and bottom but the back is open

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You want to set up airflow that will capture cooler air on one side of the enclosure and exhaust warmer air on the other. With just the back open, it's hard to get any kind of circulation, so the air will just stagnate. Think of it like sitting in your car on a hot day with just one window open, vs two windows open and a slight breeze.

[@graymanmedia]

Have you ever considered Masking Tape and some Velcro to hang that Power Strip?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

No, I've just got a couple small screws holding it up.

[@claythomas9467]

Hopefully you see this in the next couple of days lol. I am going to do the same thing, I have fans ordered. Why did you drill smalls holes vs have the exact same number of fans blowing in? I was going to put two in the same spot as you drilled the small holes blowing into the cabinet, and two in the same spot blowing out of the cabinet. Or, one where you put the two and one fan on the back, up high.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You could do it that way too. But if you have a fan exhausting, it should draw air in through the inlet holes just fine.

[@Emexrulsier]

So my exhaust fan isn't on all the time, in my cabinet I have a synergy nas which uses a normal 3 pin fan header. I wired the exhaust fan to that, so now when the nas detects its too warm the fan comes on

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Good solution 👍

[@madchris2868]

Would I have to drill all those holes at the bottom of the other side?? My desk is up against the wall so I have a issue with doing that, any suggestions on what I can do? Also what setting do you find works best?? High, medium or low?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You'll have to do something for air intake, otherwise the fan won't do anything but spin dead.

[@madchris2868]

Glenn Frazee can I drill the holes on the same side as the fan just towards the bottom or will that just not work?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

It'll work, but it won't cool as efficiently.

[@madchris2868]

Glenn Frazee yeah for sure! I’ll figure something out lol thanks for the video mate 👍🏼

[@capt_awesome42]

​@@GlennFrazeeYT Why not invert one of the fans for air intake?