Has anyone thought of putting bigger fans in the 4224? I just got mine and the noise when all fan are running is quite extreme. I will be getting the 120mm fan plate, but I am also looking at adding a couple of 140mm fans on the top cover, or possibly adding a 140mm fan on the power supply side of the case and a 120 mm on the other side while changing the original 80 mm fans on the back to some quiter one. I would appreciate any comments good or bad.

I don't see the need for this.  Upgrading to the 120mm fanplate and 3 120mm fans is a good idea.  Replacing the rear 80 mm fans with quieter models is also a good idea.  Past that, I would consider any additional fans to be overkill.

I don't see the need for this.  Upgrading to the 120mm fanplate and 3 120mm fans is a good idea.  Replacing the rear 80 mm fans with quieter models is also a good idea.  Past that, I would consider any additional fans to be overkill.

 

Overkill and probably detrimental.  More fans do not always mean lower temps.

unfortunately, many servers are tuned for maximum efficiency in cooling. like a modern HP or Dell server with built in duct work and air tunnels.

Norco seems to be old school server thinking.. "just get fast loud fans and move the air 'somewhere'".... I am sure it can be improved somehow... just not necessarily with a dremel.

 

so to your suggestion:

Yes to the 120 midfan,, or see if you can get 140's or something to fit in the mid fanplate.

 

I have also seen on hardforums where a guy put 120's on the back wall also (removing many of the pci slots.)

 

I am not sure about all the  other holes chopped all over. there are 2 sides to the coin. some people might say, the midwall 120's can move air easier over the hard drives if it does not have to pressurise the motherboard area.

 

Many people have noted that cheap-o fans in the mid wall with a low static pressure tend to spin much slower when the lid is on the case because they dont have the horsepower to pressurize the mobo area..(of course if you leave the lid off, the drives fry)

 

Unfortunately, i am picturing lots of LED fans, neon lights, glo wire, light up sata cables  and window cut into the top of the 4224... maybe even a mini disco ball... sort of mid 2000's type mods when you had to make your own cool cases and people went nuts pimping their rigs (myself included)....

 

unless you're running 4 processors, I dont think you can gain much chopping holes in a norco.

I'll pass on this..

 

Now what "I" think could work, but would not be attractive.. push-pull through the bays.

Mount some fans to the outside front of the server. in front of the drive bays and Push cool air into the server. you might have to rig up some sort of door that holds the fans. it would have to seal against the front of the sever and move out of the way to pull a drive out.

 

The other mod that might work. leave it all factory and put earplugs in the wife. that would give you the best cooling.

oh. dont forget earplugs for yourself so you dont have to hear her nag...

 

I think ill pass on this too.. but hey, its your time, money and server... mod away.. let us know what you frankenstein from it... if you get uber low temps and a silent server, others might copy you.

 

 

hrmm afterthought.. while i was looking at my server.. anyone else notice the 4224 sort of looks like a window air conditioner? maybe you can make a hybrid A/C unit and server in one?

and yes, THAT was a joke...

Thanks for the opinions guys.