Passive radiator
 

I'll try and keep this short:

Would 3/16" copper tubing (or similar size) clamped to the case sides work well as a passive radiator? I plan to cool two Cel366@550s and a GeForce with it, no peltiers, and the object is to reduce noise to a minimum (wife's orders) so fans can't be used. I'm hoping to be able to rip out all of my case fans too.

Obviously I'd insulate the inside of the case panel to stop heat being radiated back in. If it helped I could probably attach some fins to the piping. Is it a good plan or would a tranny cooler bolted on do better? I had planned to use a big reservoir, but with two small children and two smaller cats the whole system really needs to be confined to the case.

Thanks for any help that anyone can offer!

Hugo

Passive cooling works best when the radiant surface is facing up. So, a large radiator laid flat would be more efficient than a copper coil on the side. A 12x6" transmission cooler on the top of your case would probably work well, assuming you can get air to rise through it. A couple of low-speed, low-noise (Panaflo L1A's) 120mm fans pushing air through the radiator would help no-end, as long as there are case vents to let more air in.

------------------
Melvyn

You'll never be able to hear panaflo low rpm fans at 7v. Get a really big radiator and put two panaflos under it. You might be okay.
-Kevin