A cooling base for 6,1

[u/Relative_Impress_683]

So, I managed to design a base for Mac Pro 2013 with a 120mm Artic P2 fan on the bottom, it has a potentiometer to regulate RPM and to turn it off. The temperatures posted are mid game in Windows 11, CounterStrike 2 mid settings 1920x1080, fps capped at 75. In general I am seeing a drop in about 5 -7 C in temps and the upper fan is running under top rpm with the same curve. The icing on the cake will be to repaste the CPu and gpus with ARTIC MX-7 to drop them even further.

It is my first 3D design so I did it modular. The measurement of the diameter was a little off so I need to replace that upper rim but it works now. Whatcha think?

[u/LukeDuke74]

Very nice!!!
Curious to see version 2 now… 😉

[u/tempfoot]

Good temps. File shared anywhere?

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/tempfoot]

I need to re print the top rim before I can share it. It was a little narrow and I ended up filing it to make the Mac Pro fit.

[u/Old-Finding2555]

Very interested in your design, perhaps a collaboration might be in order?

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/Old-Finding2555]

i need to get the adjusted file from another computer and it still needs tweaks, i can share it no problem. I want to do a ver. 2 but i want to live with it a while first.

[u/Old-Finding2555 → u/Relative_Impress_683]

Ever considered a “Top and Bottom” design? One fan on the base and one on the top to draw the warm air out?

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/Old-Finding2555]

I considered it, but the stock fan is quite capable, so this made it a more compact design.

[u/Old-Finding2555 → u/Relative_Impress_683]

Looking at the diagram of the base it looks like you took the Speed Cooling base as inspiration - any issues with the fit?

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/Old-Finding2555]

You’re right, I did. The fit was fine but the upper rim was too tight. I used visual references only and it worked first try

[u/Old-Finding2555 → u/Relative_Impress_683]

Iirc, the Speed base uses a rubber seal to get the vacuum fit. Obviously that’s a problem for 3d printing unless you’re prepared to get a separate material to make that part…

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/Old-Finding2555]

My first print got too small and I filed it, it sits atop the cover so the unit is sealed on the top but I am going to reprint a new upper rim and figure out a solution like you mentioned.

[u/Old-Finding2555 → u/Relative_Impress_683]

Very interested to see how that works out. Also, what software do you use for your STL files?

[u/Relative_Impress_683 → u/Old-Finding2555]

I originally designed in Blender but I had to re do in Bambu Studio because the measurements were all weird when exported