HP A6400 Airflow Mods

thingiverse

Update: After installing all the modifications, I overclocked the 2600K CPU to 4.6GHz at 1.32v Vcore, and ran the GTX 1060 at stock clocks. My fan configuration is that I have 120mm and 140mm intake fans, a 92mm exhaust fan, and other exhaust being pushed out of the system by the power supply and the 120mm CPU fan configured for exhaust flow. I also removed all the exhaust airflow blockoff plates in the back since they are only designed to prevent exhaust air from recirculating in a low-pressure system. While running Prime95 (maximum heat) and Furmark simultaneously, I got peak temps of 86 degrees CPU, and 78 degrees GPU with the chassis fans at 60%. 100% chassis fan speed only gives me 2 degrees on each, so I left them at 60%. Since this represents a worst-case scenario, I recorded my temps while online gaming and recorded peak CPU and GPU temps of 69 degrees, both very respectable. My recommended install order is: First, install the DVD drive and Power supply, prep case as-needed (delete firewire/proprietary audio connector and fill with printed plugs if required). Next, hard drives, pre-route power and SATA cables to hard drives. Then, install a 140mm fan onto Front Inlet, then install Front Inlet. After that, install a 120mm fan onto Top Inlet, then install Top inlet. Install CPU, CPU heatsink, and RAM onto motherboard, then install motherboard. Next, install GPU Baffle (including top mount screws into top inlet). Install GPU support, then install GPU. Install CPU fan duct as an inlet (with or without filter) or as exhaust (without filter), and finally install case front cover. Bonus points for creating custom-length wiring for PSU and fans. I order my connectors and pins from ModDIY. Of note, these 3D prints in this chassis only support a maximum GPU length of around 270mm, assuming the GPU width is standard. I was unable to fit an MSI GTX 1060 because the chassis lip didn't allow the GPU fan shroud to fit. You could cut that part of the lip off, but I was trying to see what I could accomplish with the minimum amount of modifications to the case sheet-metal as possible. I had an HP A6400 case taking up space, and instead of throwing it away, I decided to put it to work. I designed these prints to allow for no-compromise, high-powered components to be installed in the case without the hot components choking on their own exhaust air. It allows for 120mm and 140mm intake fans for the chassis, and a 120mm CPU cooling fan. Each fan can be filtered using Silverstone's FF143B filters. I chose those for their ultra-fine filtering ability in a desert environment, but is also not very restrictive. I have yet to test these prints on a functional computer, but I have tested most of them for proper fit. The only modification to the chassis I made was to rip out the front panel firewire and one of the audio connectors. I designed plugs to fill the holes left behind. This is because my motherboard did not have those connections, and I did not want the extra cabling cluttering the inside of the case. Once I get the designs installed in a working computer, I will update this post with a list of the hardware I installed, thermal results, and optimal fan setup. The plan is to base the system on an overclocked 2600K and a power-hungry GPU for 4k gaming, and not have the system sound like a jetliner taking off.