The document summarizes a CFD analysis and design of air cooling for a personal computer chassis. It explores various fan configurations and orientations to maximize cooling efficiency. The analysis selects a mid-tower design and models different fan setups. Simulation results show that Solution 5, with fans in the front, side, top and back, maintains the lowest surface temperatures on critical components like the CPU and GPU. The final design incorporates this optimized fan configuration.

1. Personal Computer Chassis Air Cooling CFD Analysis AND DESIGN By Ben Kowalewski

2. Problem and Design Goals Maximizing Cooling Efficiency within desktop computer chassis by studying various fan configurations and orientations, and performing a CFD flow/thermal analysis. Waste heat from the circuits can be problematic if there is lack of airflow and ventilation. Overheating can cause performance losses and/or damage to system components.

3. Design Selection Full Tower Micro Tower Mid Tower

4. Selected Design: Mid Tower

5. Setting Up The Analysis

6. Boundary Conditions CPU Fan Flow Domain GPU Fan Fan Pressure vs. Flowrate Curves

7. Boundary Conditions 120mm Case Fans

8. Heat Loads CPU Heat Load (125 W) GPU Heat Load (160 W)

9. Fluid Mesh

10. Major Model Simplifications No Conduction Modeling Adiabatic Fluid Boundaries, except the flow inlets and outlets. Restricted Ventilation Fan curves not perfectly accurate

11. Simulation Results: Case 1

12. Simulation Results: Case 1

13. Simulation Results: Case 2

14. Simulation Results: Case 3

15. Simulation Results: Case 4

16. Simulation Results: Case 5

17. Summary of Results Solution 5 has the lowest critical component surface temperatures.

18. Final Design Fans are placed to blow air in the front of the case, in the side panel, in the top, and out the back.

19. Final Design