Abstract: A computer system unit which includes an acoustic dampening cooling fan shroud panel mounted on a rear surface thereof. The computer system unit is generally rectangular, encloses an electronic component package and includes a front panel and a pair of generally parallel side panels. An intermediate rear panel, generally parallel to the front panel, mounts one or more cooling fans which draw air through the generally rectangular unit. A cooling fan shroud panel which includes an acoustic noise reduction lining is then mounted to the intermediate rear panel. The cooling fan shroud panel includes an aperture for ventilation which is displaced from the mounting position of the cooling fans such that acoustic noise resultant from cooling fan operation is minimized. The aperture within the cooling fan shroud panel extends into at least one surface thereof which is not parallel to either the side panel or the intermediate rear panel wherein ventilation is substantially unobstructed by adjacent vertical surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides a cooling system in which electronic components are serially configured in the air flow path and tilted down to form a "V" formation when viewed from the side. An air moving device draws air from an inlet, serially past first and second components and exhausts air through an outlet. This formation increases the inlet air opening, increases the area to turn the air in between the components, and increases the size of the plenum between the rear components and the air moving device, all without increasing the size of the electronic device. The larger area reduces the resistance of the air flow cooling path by reducing the number of turns and velocity changes of the air flow, which allows the air moving device to be smaller, use less power, and generate less noise.