PC Peripherals Need advice on case fan placement
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I would rather say use it as an exhaust, true that smps fan acts as an exhaust, but smps being kind of an isolated box in itslef would have very negligible effect on the air inside the cabinet. Without any fan at all, hot air escapes much slower than cold air can come in, due to cluttering of things inside the cabby. So it is advisable that you use it as an exhaust not an intake. Of course you might try both configs and compare the temps inside ur cabby and use the better one.
Rear bottom indicates a BTX style layout. You need proper ducting to make it work, but in theory it should be exhaust. Is your motherboard mounted upside down (PCI slots towards the top)?
If it's a local cabby the guys making it may have been inspired by the look of a BTX and just created a hybrid. It's not unusual for this kind of thing to happen, btw.
Posting a pic would help. even a simple drawing in Paint. A photo is not necessary.
The problem is (provided the mobo is mounted the 'right' way up) that none of the components mounted in front of the chassis will get any airflow (all hard drives).
Also the Graphics card will effectively block any airflow to the CPU, leaving it starved of intake air. The PSU (if mounted on the top) may be able to help in exhaust, but without intake you're going to have suboptimal airflow.
However if it is a BTX mounting case, the airflow plan is totally different. Post back and then we can make some recommendations.
If it's a local cabby the guys making it may have been inspired by the look of a BTX and just created a hybrid. It's not unusual for this kind of thing to happen, btw.
Posting a pic would help. even a simple drawing in Paint. A photo is not necessary.
The problem is (provided the mobo is mounted the 'right' way up) that none of the components mounted in front of the chassis will get any airflow (all hard drives).
Also the Graphics card will effectively block any airflow to the CPU, leaving it starved of intake air. The PSU (if mounted on the top) may be able to help in exhaust, but without intake you're going to have suboptimal airflow.
However if it is a BTX mounting case, the airflow plan is totally different. Post back and then we can make some recommendations.
You have a big problem my friend. Intake is really the only solution for you. I guess you're not using a graphics card. It is still problematic, as the airflow is very convoluted. The intake and the exhaust are basically facing the same way.
Would you like to use cardboard? There are ways to improve the flow, but some creativity is required. A new case is really called for, but you can create ducting to shape the airflow. Some double-sided tape will keep it in place till you upgrade to a new case.
Ensure you leave a bit of airflow for the drives toward the front. Split the flow into two channels, and direct it upward to the CPU. The PSU is your only exhaust route this way.
If you're using it as an exhaust then divide the case into two portions, one for the airflow across the lower half of the motherboard. The PSU then has to take the entire cooling load of the CPU. A good way to ensure this is effective is to remove the PSU top cover. This creates a lot of EMI within the case, but increases the cooling effectiveness of the puny little PS exhaust fan. I take your load is not very demanding, so the PSU should work fine with the residual airflow.
EMI would be concern if you're running audio or instrumentation apps, but I'm assuming you're not into all that. I'm assuming a lot of things, one of them being that you're not prepared to change the case. That, of course, would probably be the best solution.
Anyway try both intake and exhaust and see which gives better temps. Look for a tradeoff between CPU temp, case temp and HDD temp. In the ideal case let the system run for about two hours with your normal load. Post back temps in both configs.
Would you like to use cardboard? There are ways to improve the flow, but some creativity is required. A new case is really called for, but you can create ducting to shape the airflow. Some double-sided tape will keep it in place till you upgrade to a new case.
Ensure you leave a bit of airflow for the drives toward the front. Split the flow into two channels, and direct it upward to the CPU. The PSU is your only exhaust route this way.
If you're using it as an exhaust then divide the case into two portions, one for the airflow across the lower half of the motherboard. The PSU then has to take the entire cooling load of the CPU. A good way to ensure this is effective is to remove the PSU top cover. This creates a lot of EMI within the case, but increases the cooling effectiveness of the puny little PS exhaust fan. I take your load is not very demanding, so the PSU should work fine with the residual airflow.
EMI would be concern if you're running audio or instrumentation apps, but I'm assuming you're not into all that. I'm assuming a lot of things, one of them being that you're not prepared to change the case. That, of course, would probably be the best solution.
Anyway try both intake and exhaust and see which gives better temps. Look for a tradeoff between CPU temp, case temp and HDD temp. In the ideal case let the system run for about two hours with your normal load. Post back temps in both configs.
DriftKingNT said:
i`ll give u more science....the hot exhaust of the psu is wat the rear fan will suck in.... :cool2: ....hot air rises every psu has slots for intake on te bottom edge and on the front lower edge ..the front lower edge is wat sucks ur rising warm air...
Not much of difference in temp of procy, but cabinet on the whole feels bit cooler since less hot air accumulation in top.- Status