I can't see the images in the image host that you used. Says not viewable in my region (UK). Are you unable to use the forum image upload?

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2026-05-23, 04:51:

I can't see the images in the image host that you used. Says not viewable in my region (UK). Are you unable to use the forum image upload?

I can see the image just fine. Sorry, I dont know how this should work properly. I actually reupload this post because the images were not shown.
https://imgur.com/Thls25Y
https://imgur.com/gT6pf2P

With regards to cooling, you want both local air movement around hotspots and a consistent directional airflow through the case itself. Currently you have 2 60mm fans intaking air and the 92mm power supply exhausting air on the same panel which is sub-optimal.

First, reverse the noctua fans so they are exhaust fans alongside the power supply, that way fresh air will come in through the front panel opening and lead to a consistent removal of heat buildup in the case itself. If the expansion cards are still struggling - for example if you can feel a significant hot spot just above the expansion cards on the case when closed, I would stick a fan at the end of the expansion cards between the floppy cage and the side of the case that blows air down the length of the cards. That will move stagnant air away from the cards into an area that will be exhausted at the rear of the case.

If after that you are still struggling heat wise, you need more air inflow from the front of the case. One trick I do is to dremel out a section of the front panel from the bottom surface, a bit past the roundover so it opens a large gap for air to come in but looking from the front you can't tell it's been modified.

You will find once the airflow works well, you can run the fans significantly quieiter as most of the airflow benefits can be derived from a fairly low RPM with Noctua fans.

NeoG_ wrote on 2026-05-23, 05:25:

With regards to cooling, you want both local air movement around hotspots and a consistent directional airflow through the case […]
Show full quote

With regards to cooling, you want both local air movement around hotspots and a consistent directional airflow through the case itself. Currently you have 2 60mm fans intaking air and the 92mm power supply exhausting air on the same panel which is sub-optimal.

First, reverse the noctua fans so they are exhaust fans alongside the power supply, that way fresh air will come in through the front panel opening and lead to a consistent removal of heat buildup in the case itself. If the expansion cards are still struggling - for example if you can feel a significant hot spot just above the expansion cards on the case when closed, I would stick a fan at the end of the expansion cards between the floppy cage and the side of the case that blows air down the length of the cards. That will move stagnant air away from the cards into an area that will be exhausted at the rear of the case.

If after that you are still struggling heat wise, you need more air inflow from the front of the case. One trick I do is to dremel out a section of the front panel from the bottom surface, a bit past the roundover so it opens a large gap for air to come in but looking from the front you can't tell it's been modified.

You will find once the airflow works well, you can run the fans significantly quieiter as most of the airflow benefits can be derived from a fairly low RPM with Noctua fans.

Thanks for the advice. As for the modifications, I currently lack the proper tools, and the locations of the two fans are the only mounting spots available on the case. I am indeed a bit worried about the lack of direct airflow over the PCI and AGP slots, but for now, I can't think of a good way to fix it. I will reverse the fans at least and see how it goes.

You might be able to jury rig an 80mm fan blowing into the expansion slots. Maybe there is a way to attach it with zip ties to the case.

Shponglefan wrote on 2026-05-23, 05:50:

You might be able to jury rig an 80mm fan blowing into the expansion slots. Maybe there is a way to attach it with zip ties to the case.

If I had nothing else I would just find a suitable sized fan (92mm is probably about the right size) and hot glue it to the metal case at the end of the expansion cards

I'm mainly trying to figure out how to utilize that last empty PCI slot for now. As for the fans, I can decide on this once the entire hardware configuration is finalized.

STN996 wrote on 2026-05-23, 06:16:

I'm mainly trying to figure out how to utilize that last empty PCI slot for now. As for the fans, I can decide on this once the entire hardware configuration is finalized.

I'm not sure I would add anything to the last PCI slot. Is there anything you think you're missing? It will always be limited in DOS without ISA slots for sound, although you can probably get far (not sure about DOS drivers for your card).

People are commenting on the airflow situation because it's pretty worrisome. Pentium 4 chips run hot (compared with previous generations). Which exact chip do you have? You really want to find some way to get air near those PCI cards. I would monitor temperatures inside the case closely.

jh80 wrote on 2026-05-23, 06:41:

STN996 wrote on 2026-05-23, 06:16:

I'm mainly trying to figure out how to utilize that last empty PCI slot for now. As for the fans, I can decide on this once the entire hardware configuration is finalized.

I'm not sure I would add anything to the last PCI slot. Is there anything you think you're missing? It will always be limited in DOS without ISA slots for sound, although you can probably get far (not sure about DOS drivers for your card).

People are commenting on the airflow situation because it's pretty worrisome. Pentium 4 chips run hot (compared with previous generations). Which exact chip do you have? You really want to find some way to get air near those PCI cards. I would monitor temperatures inside the case closely.

I am using Northwood 2.4 GHz 533 MT/s. I heard thermal performance of Northwood is actually not that bad but I certainly will tweak overclocking under different scenarios. I don't think I am missing anything actually. I did some research before and found some information that vortex 2 and voodoo 2 have some advantages on compatibility but I know DOS games could be very troublesome.

STN996 wrote on 2026-05-23, 06:16:

I'm mainly trying to figure out how to utilize that last empty PCI slot for now.

If you already have MX300 card for A3D, I would install Audigy2 to support EAX.

Note:
The main limitation for using all PCI ports is the IRQ assignment in Win9x/DOS. PCI ports may share common IRQ (especially on mATX motherboard), which can lead to conflicts with PCI cards with PCI Bus mastering.

Interestingly, I just found the grille right under the power button that seems to fit an 80mm fan. This location points directly at all the PCI slots, so hoping adding a new fan there should solve my cooling concerns.

ott wrote on 2026-05-23, 07:01:

If you already have MX300 card for A3D, I would install Audigy2 to support EAX. […]
Show full quote

STN996 wrote on 2026-05-23, 06:16:

I'm mainly trying to figure out how to utilize that last empty PCI slot for now.

If you already have MX300 card for A3D, I would install Audigy2 to support EAX.

Note:
The main limitation for using all PCI ports is the IRQ assignment in Win9x/DOS. PCI ports may share common IRQ (especially on mATX motherboard), which can lead to conflicts with PCI cards with PCI Bus mastering.

Sounds like a good idea. I know the IRQ is very messy. When I was installing drivers on a SD card windows98 it keeped crashing because I didn't reserve IRQ for MX300. But it is all good now. It seems the IRQ in the BIOS can be assigned individually for my motherboad so I think it is fine when I install another card in the future.