Antec 900: fan on top, bottom mount PSU

[spittledip]

Hi,

I just bought an Antec 900at Newegg b/c it was such a great deal. This case is for a future build and is the first part I have bought for the build.

Considering that there is a 200 mm fan on the top of the case, and that the PSU is bottom case mount, I was wondering what type of PSU design would be best suited for airflow. I figured that having a fan on the top of the PSU (well, the bottom but flipped over b/c the case is bottom mount for psu) might upset good airflow. I figured that it would be best to get a PSU with a fan on the back or front of the PSU rather than the top (bottom). I am not really sure about my reasoning, so I am hoping you all can give me some good advice as to the best type of PSU design to get for this case.

Also, are there some good washable filters I can purchase for the front grills of this case to minimize dust intake? I have a Cooler Master Centurion of some sort that has washable filters fpr the front grills that are great, and would love something similar for this case (the Cooler Master came with the filters of course). Links please

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[theAnimal]

A quality and efficiency of the PSU is more important than the design of the fan. The fan will draw air from the case through the PSU regardless.

 

[Modelworks]

I'm using a PSU that has a fan on top with the 900 case. I covered the top back fan area so that the top fan is the only fan at the top running .
I put the front fans so that one fan is at the very bottom, that insures the PSU gets cool air directed at it and the other fan in the front is at the top where I have HD installed. That way the memory and cpu fan gets fresh air.
Lastly have one fan installed on the side cover to bring in air for the video card and northbridge. Temps are great .

 

[videogames101]

You can mount a PSU either up for down, so no matter which side the fan is on it's all good.

 

[mpilchfamily]

The PSU can mount either way you want it. But if it has a fan on the top/bottom of the unit then that fan needs to face up. If you have it facing down it won't get any airflow to the PSU. Now you could perfom a mod to allow it to face down if you want. Here is what i did to my 900 to help me get better cable managment in the case.

http://www.themodnation-forums...wtopic.php?f=28&t=2702

 

[spittledip]

So I am gathering that most of you do not think that a top rather than back mounted fan will effect case airflow. Correct me if I am wrong here.

Also, for those with 900s, did you put dust filters on the front mesh?

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: spittledip
So I am gathering that most of you do not think that a top rather than back mounted fan will effect case airflow. Correct me if I am wrong here.

Also, for those with 900s, did you put dust filters on the front mesh?

Airflow with those PSU isn't a problem for me.
I do not use a filter now as I have it on my desk and haven't had a problem with dust.
When it was on the floor it did have tons of dust though so a filter was needed.

 

[Zepper]

The fan mount is bi-directional on the N-H, but most PSUs with the big fan on the side probably should have the fan upwards as there appears to be not a lot of clearance on the other side. Most PSUs these days don't draw a lot of air until they get quite hot - you know, sacrifice the PSU's longevity for a little more noise reduction... So maybe there is enough clearance on the bottom side - you'll have to make that call yourself as I've not had one here to judge (I'd want at least an inch of clearance). Also good to know what kind of fan is in the PSU (ball or sleeve bearing). I had an Enermax Liberty 500 PSU here and the (sleeve) fan was noisier with the fan upwards than downwards (using it with a C-M 690 at the time). Ball bearing fans don't usually care much about orientation except they should be kept within 5 degrees of vertical or horizontal (just like your drives) for best bearing life. Happy experimenting...

.bh.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
The PSU can mount either way you want it. But if it has a fan on the top/bottom of the unit then that fan needs to face up. If you have it facing down it won't get any airflow to the PSU. Now you could perfom a mod to allow it to face down if you want. Here is what i did to my 900 to help me get better cable managment in the case.

http://www.themodnation-forums...wtopic.php?f=28&t=2702

On my Antec 300, from what I remember, it seemed like the only way that I could mount the PSU was with the fan facing downwards, with about 0.5" of clearance between the fan and the bottom steel of the case.

 

[zerocool84]

I have a Corsair 650TX and I mount it with the fan facing upward. Like mpilchfamily linked, some guy modded his 900 so he could have it facing downward. Also I should get some filters for the front. I have a cat and it's very hairy. I go through compressed air like no other.

 

[MyLeftNut]

I've mounted a Corsair VX450 on an Antec 300 with fan facing upwards with no problems at all. I was able to install it with fan facing upwards or downwards without any fitting problems with the PSU or the screw hole alignment.