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Case Fans

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:18 pm
by KPRROK
Hello all:

Got my new computer and I've put an extra fan on the side of the case. There used to be a cone there to bring cool air to the processor, but with the after-market cooler I put on, it didn't fit. So the question is, should the fan on the side of the case be blowing in or out? I remember reading that out was better because if it blows in it could interfere with the airflow from the CPU cooler. Any thoughts?

Also, how do I change it, just flip the fan around? Or is there a setting somewhere?

Cheers, and thanks.

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:47 pm
by martini161
i would just try each way and see which way gives you better temps, and yes, you change by flipping it over, there should be arrows on the fan to indicate airflow direction

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:49 pm
by vbironchef
Download coretemp http://www.download.com/Core-Temp/3000- ... 94077.html As for the fan blowing in or out? I would say out, but check with coretemp to comfirm.

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:59 pm
by Sporg
It depends on where the fan is located. I'm assuming that by what you are saying the fan is directly over where the CPU is. In this situation I personally would have it blow out. If it were somewhere lower on the side, away from the CPU I would probably have it sucking air into the case. Just depends on your layout. Like previously suggested, download core-temp and play around a bit. There are some good basic airflow diagrams out there.

I think most people who use air follow this:
Air intake from low front
Air output high back
When it comes to the side is where folks usually differ a bit. Just depends on the layout and location - IMHO.

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:54 am
by bubba
Most if not all cases have the front intake fan blocked by a drive cage of some kind reducing the flow into the case. If the drive cage is turned, so the hard drive points to the side, the fan is almost entirely blocked. In some setups I have messed with had 2x 250mm side fans 150CFM each were the only fans in the case and they kept the entire system cooled quite well. So knowing what case, cooler, and case fans you have would help a lot. Even better would be a picture.

Shot in the dark so to speak....

If the cooler is a down draft cooler (similar to stock) I would say in. If it was out then it would starve the cooler of fresh air.

If its a tower cooler then I would have it (the cooler) blowing to the back towards the rear exhaust. The side fan may not help one way or the other with a tower cooler,but check it blowing in and out to see if the video card temps change any.

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:28 pm
by Sporg
Bubba, he posted his build list here: http://forums.legitreviews.com/viewtopic.php?t=16698

Re: Case Fans

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:18 pm
by bubba
Thanks Sporg.

Looking at the specs of the case it looks as if the front intake fan is optional. If you don't have one there I would look at getting a fan in there. For the time being I would have the fan on the side blowing in.