Better to have an inlet on the side or exaust on top?

[bobdobolina]

I have a couple of small fans providing my cooling. Two in the front at the bottom and one in the middle/back. They are all relatively low powered. I got hold of a quiet server fan, but, only have one. I want to know wether to put it on the side to blow cool air over the entire motherboard and peripherals, or on top to evacuate excess heat from the case in general. Will it help the existing fans in their effiency with the negative pressure created by an exaust fan? What if I reverse the flow of the mid/back fan to blow in? Or is it better to flood the motherboard? I can't afford to cut twice...

Thanks

 

[kw3i]

i think both are equally effective, the problem with the blowhole is that if something gets spilled on the top of the pc, which shouldnt happen anyways, but if it does, your in a world of hurt, i would go with the side

 

[Cubensis]

Make sure you have A LOT MORE intake of fresh air then air going out of the case !! So much more that if you would spill water on your case, it gets blown out of it !
It also helps to keep insects of of your case.
(insects are very destructive)!

 

[lotust]

make a sucking hole on the top if ya can. it works like a chimmeny. sucks the hot right the hall out of the case. Much better than side blowing.

 

[caenus]

If you are worried about insects or dust/hair just get one of those filters for case fans. You can attach them on the inside part of the fan (not touching the case) and it will filter very well without limiting airflow. Or so I've heard. 3dcool.com has some, and there is another site that has a better kind but I dont have the link at work. If someone wants it just post saying you do.