Another... Help with my case fan layout

[ZoomStop]

OK, so I have THIS CASE and like it a lot. But I used the fans from my last computer and my temps are all too high, the fans are loud, etc.

Running 52 idle / 63 under load on a stock AMD 3000+ not overclocked.
So I have ordered a Volcano 12 for the CPU and five Panaflo Low RPM fans (FBA08A12L1A: 24 cfm, 21 db) .

So I'll be putting one in the front, one in the back, two on the side, and one in the PSU (that fan is getting wore out also).

So the million dollar question is which way do I make all these things blow? For the two on the side, one is more or less over the video card and one is more or less over the CPU.

I was thinking about making the front an intake, the one over the CPU a intake, one over the AGP an exhaust, one in the back an exhaust, and the one in the PSU an exhaust.

Is that the proper way? I know the best way is to just experiment but I would like to just get it done right the first time. I am thinking about trying to OC my processor and want to make sure my cooling is as efficient as possible before doing so.

Thanks for the help here 'oh Masters of Cooling

 

[SonnyDaze]

Have the front as intake, rear as exhaust and the two sides as intake. You could even run the side fans at lower voltage to quite them down some but still get good cooling. Hot air rises so using the lower side one as exhaust wouldn't help much. I'd stick with using both as intake. :thumbsup:

 

[professor1942]

I think it's best to only have one location (the back, of course) for exhaust and all others - front, side, top - as intakes.

 

[ZoomStop]

two votes works for me

So all intake but the rear one as exhaust.. and of course the PSU exhausting also.
Sounds like I may overpressure the case a bit which may help keep dust out?
The n00b is learning

 

[SonnyDaze]

Well there is positive and negative air pressure and I can't remember right now which is which when you have more intake than exhaust or vice versa....maybe somebody else can answer that one. Ideally you want equal air flow ( same CFM's coming out as going in) but in your case {pardon the pun} your not really gunna have that but it's not going to make a big diff.

 

[SketchMaster]

With this setup, I would say that you should have the PSU and rear fans as exhaust and the front and ONE side fan over the video card.

Like Sonny said, you want equal air flow in the case. And sinc you will be using the same fan in the PSU as the case it will be an ideal setup.

You could always buy five fans and play around with them to see what works best. Worst case scenario (no pun) you will have an extra fan that you could sell or use for something else.

 

[ZoomStop]

Sounds like a plan. Only thing that really ticks me off is this pre-mod case came with two holes cut in the plexi on the side. So I either put a fan in 'em or have a hole in the side of my case
Fans should be here today so we'll be testing away!

 

[Zepper]

It's unfortunate that all the fan positions in that case take only 80mm fans - those that can actually push some AIR are quite loud. If it were my case, that rear fan mount would be immediately cut out to fit a 92mm fan at least (120mm if there is room). Front panel likewise. Only one of the side panel fans would be used with a duct directly to the CPU. I'd block off the other with a dummy filter like This over a doubled sheet of Saran Wrap - trim the saran wrap from around the edge of the "filter" with an Xacto blade.

.bh.

 

[ZoomStop]

Originally posted by: Zepper
It's unfortunate that all the fan positions in that case take only 80mm fans - those that can actually push some AIR are quite loud. If it were my case, that rear fan mount would be immediately cut out to fit a 92mm fan at least (120mm if there is room). Front panel likewise. Only one of the side panel fans would be used with a duct directly to the CPU. I'd block off the other with a dummy filter like This over a doubled sheet of Saran Wrap - trim the saran wrap from around the edge of the "filter" with an Xacto blade.

.bh.

Those are some pretty good suggestions... I had kicked around the idea of ducting the CPU. And I like the dummy filter idea.
I do have a pretty good 120mm fan (pretty sure it is an Enermax), so maybe I should dremel the front to fit it in there? I suck with a dremel but at least the front will be covered. I am scared to dremel the back since it is pretty visable though the window if I screw it up. I did cut the mesh off though and replaced it with a wire grill.

120mm in front pulling in, one side ducted out, 80 mm in back exhaust, PSU exhaust...
sound like a plan? Wish I could remember the cfm for the 120 mm fan.

EDIT: also, if I duct the CPU direct to the side, would I want that case fan to be blowing down the duct or sucking out?

 

[ZoomStop]

bump... just had one last question. See EDIT on post above.

 

[thisbarb]

Positive pressure is when you pull in more than you push out and negative pressure is when you push out more than you pull in. I might have got the terms mixed around, but its how it works. It shouldn't affect your temps too much though.

 

[ericeash]

i would have the front on the highest setting that is comfortable to your ears, then use the same setting for the rear fan and the PSU. then i would put the side fans at a lower RPM since you will probably hear them more than the front. that should get it close to the same intake as output.

 

[Zepper]

The fans on the duct should be blowing in the same direction - normally in the direction of the heatsink. With all open grillwork on that case, it is unlikely you could achieve positive pressure (even with the Sanyo Denki fans I've been selling at full cry).

.bh.