Case Fan setup -- suggestions welcome

[DaTT]

Heres what I have available:

4 spots for fans at the front (2 spots on top of another 2 spots)
2 spots at the rear
1 spot on the windowed side

Here's what I currently have setup:

1 intake at the front
1 exhaust at the back
1 exhaust on the side
3 fans on my PSU (I assume that would count as exhaust)

Now, send me your suggestions for the best cooling setup.....BTW, my case temp is pretty stable at 30 degrees.

 

[DaveSimmons]

So are you trying to quiet it down, add even more cooling, or just wondering if the positions are good?

If you want to keep the same level, the only thing I'd recommend is to pick the spot for the front intake so that it flows over the hard drive(s) since newer 7200 RPM drives run hot.

For quieter, unplug the side fan and/or buy a couple of Zalman fanmates to run the intake and exhaust fans at 7V instead of 12V (slower, quieter, but hotter).

 

[DaTT]

its very quiet considering the amount of fans I have running. I have my 7200's rack mounted with built in fans on the racks...so thats not a real issue. Im just looking for the best possible airflow. I personally think I have too many exhaust fans and not enough intake's.

Lemme know

 

[DaveSimmons]

Well, exhaust fans are more important, since they push hot air out and will draw cool replacement air in with or without any front intake fans.

It sounds like you might have more fans than you need though, at least if they're all running at stock 12V. But if the noise level is fine, I'd say leave it all as-is and move on to tweaking something else.

 

[arcenite]

Usually the rule of thumb is, the front case fans suck in, the rear blow out. Depending on your Intake/Exhaust ratio, depends on your side panel's position. I have mine blowing it, even though at the moment that rig is not working :-( I miss my rig!! (me can't wait for tax return to buy another mobo/psu)

Bill

 

[PliotronX]

I would try the side panel as intake as you currently have negative air pressure which means more dust. The fresh air from the front intake is taken out by the side exhaust before it reaches the CPU I'd think. Check it out

 

[DaTT]

IMO, if I were to put my side fan as an intake...it would be sucking dust and dirt in and putting it right on the mobo. Thats my opinion....is that not true?

 

[AtomicDude512]

Put two in front and two in back. That way you wont get as much dust inside because the fans sort of cancel each other out.

 

[DaTT]

what about the side fan?