Are side fans really beneficial?

pantsaregood

Senior member
Feb 13, 2011
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Some people swear by side intake fans for GPU cooling. Some claim they do nothing but cause turbulence and result in higher temperatures.

Anyone want to give some input on this?
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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depends on the location and if it will interfer with cpu sink.

Also if the side fan is right near a gpu intake, then i dont see how it could be bad.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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If the side fan is located under the GPU, then the graphics card will serve as a divider of sorts, directing airflow towards the GPU. I can't see how that would be a bad thing if your GPU could use a bit of extra airflow. I've got a 120mm side intake feeding my GTX 460 and my GPU temps never go above ~70C, even when heavily overclocked (870/2000 from 675/1800)
 

stahlhart

Super Moderator Graphics Cards
Dec 21, 2010
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I have a sound card restricting air circulation somewhat for the lower of my two GPUs, causing it to run a few degrees hotter. The 140mm side fan directly above on my case equalizes them out.
 

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
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I don't see it especially useful for cooling the gpu (unless you're doing SLI/CFX), but it helps keeps mobo components cool, since a tower heatsink doesn't blow any air down onto the mobo.
 

Kenmitch

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I'd say the motherboard benefits more from a side panel fan than the gpu. I guess it would depend on the case and the fan(s) in question. My HAF 932 has a 200mm side panel fan that I'm sure keeps my motherboard a whole lot cooler than it would be without it. My cpu and gpu are water cooled so I doubt it makes a difference to them.
 

bmaverick

Member
Feb 20, 2010
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Back during my air cooling days, I had a Thermaltake copper cooler vs a friend's stock cooler. the Thermaltake was rated near the top performer in many OCing sites. However, my friend had a side case fan alright, it was a typical desk fan. He had the side panel off and left the fan just blow into his case. Guess what, it performed better than my air cooler!