Evercool PCAC - Temperatures
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Temperatures are being monitored with a Digital Doc 5, and all idle and load readings are taken approximately ten minutes apart until plateau is reached with the current settings (about 40 minutes). Three thermistors are placed inside the case. One is located at the bottom center of the case, one toward the rear of the case between the CPU and rear exhaust fans, and one at the top of the case between the PSU and upper drive bays, somewhat laterally positioned in relation to the PCAC. A final thermal sensor is placed outside the case, about five inches from the bottom located directly in front of the front intake fan. This is where almost 100% of the case's fresh air is coming from aside from gaps in the chassis, and will be used as a reference point for our other readings.
It's important that we are testing with the DD5 instead of the built-in temperature sensors. Neither methods are entirely accurate, as we have no way of calibrating the DD5 or testing the leads. Using a DD5 we are able to place the sensors to monitor temperature changes throughout the case though, as opposed to only one spot. We don't want to know how the PCAC affects airflow in one single point in the case, we want multiple readings to give the data some validity.
Here is a crude picture to outline the sensor placement for you:
And here is the bench, with the DD5 leads routed through a rear PCI slot, and the ambient sensor mounted to the front of the case:
At each interval I record the time, idle/load settings, PCAC fan speed, and readings from each of the thermistors. By testing the system at idle and load with the fan on low, medium, and high settings, as well as turned off completely, we are able to get a pretty good idea of the effects the PCAC is having on case temperatures.
Next: Results >>
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