Confused about fan direction on HSF

[CetiAlphaV]

I have just purchased a ThermalRight SLK-800A with a 80mm Delta Extreme High Output.

I installed it today and I put the fan on what I thought was backwards or blowing away from the the HS. I flipped the fan over so it was blowing onto the HS, and the temperature went up 2-3 deg C.

I am very confused by this. Which is the correct way?

Thanks
Ceti

 

[amcdonald]

for that heastsink the fan should blow into it.
Most function best blowing in, with alhpa coolers being an exception

 

[SWScorch]

Usually most heatsinks function better with the fan blowing air into the sink. However, if it works better for you drawing air out, then by all means use it that way. It's just a rule of thumb, and in your case, it may not be correct.

 

[chocoruacal]

Originally posted by: CetiAlphaV
I have just purchased a ThermalRight

I am very confused by this. Which is the correct way?

Thanks
Ceti

Blowing onto the HS will give you lower temps.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

airflow is a tough subject. Whether or not one particular fan functions best blowing or sucking has a lot to do with the airflow in your case (dictated mostly by the proximity of fans, and the general direction that they're blowing. Hypothesizing is useless, unless we have an exact copy of your case. The best bet is just to test temperature differences.

my pal 8045 w/pabst 12db runs best in blow mode.

 

[Syborg1211]

Not all cases were created equal - whatever gives you the best temps is the best way

 

[deerslayer]

Rule of thumb is blow air onto the heatsink, but go with whichever gives you lower temps

 

[eklass]

whichever works best is the right way

 

[snik]

Ignore whatever people tell you. See which way works better for you. Depends on your case really and what kind/where your case fans are located. I have an SLK-800 and I've done numerous tests on this with my 2 cases.

Case 1- Steel case Case Fans: 120mm intake 120mm exhaust fans
80 mm YS Tech adjustable - several degrees cooler with fan blowing away from hs than blowing in.
92 mm Panaflo - several degrees cooler with fan blowing away from hs than blowing in.

Case 2- Aluminum Chifetec Tower Case Fans: (All 80mm Panflo L1A's) 2 intake. 2 exhaust, 1 side intake
Same results
80 mm YS Tech adjustable - several degrees cooler with fan blowing away from hs than blowing in.
92 mm Panaflo - several degrees cooler with fan blowing away from hs than blowing in.

 

[snik]

Originally posted by: CetiAlphaV
I have just purchased a ThermalRight SLK-800A with a 80mm Delta Extreme High Output.

Which is the correct way?

Thanks
Ceti

There is no *correct* way. Whatever works best for you is the correct way I guess.