Question CPU cooler be horizontal or vertical ?

[retab12332]

Should the airflow be going from bottom to top, or front to back of the case ? Cooler is Be-Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

 

[Kenmitch]

Front to back is the norm for air coolers.

 

[Space Tyrant]

I would argue that both are right. From bottom front to top back should normally be the main flow. In my situation, with the computer inside a desk cubby, it's even more important.

edit: I'm not how sure your title matches your question though.

 

[amrnuke]

Should the airflow be going from bottom to top, or front to back of the case ?

As @Kenmitch said, front to back.

Depends on the case, but most commonly, front-to-back works best because there is typically a rear exhaust fan near the top of the back of the case. Installing the CPU cooler bottom to top in such a case would make airflow more turbulent, reducing cooler performance.

That changes for instance if you have a case with bottom intake fans, front intake fans, top exhaust fan(s), rear exhaust fan, in which case you could probably put the CPU cooler in whatever direction you wish!

 

[retab12332]

As @Kenmitch said, front to back.

Depends on the case, but most commonly, front-to-back works best because there is typically a rear exhaust fan near the top of the back of the case. Installing the CPU cooler bottom to top in such a case would make airflow more turbulent, reducing cooler performance.

That changes for instance if you have a case with bottom intake fans, front intake fans, top exhaust fan(s), rear exhaust fan, in which case you could probably put the CPU cooler in whatever direction you wish!

No top nor bottom fans, just 1 mid-positioned front, 1 top-positioned back.

 

[Kenmitch]

No top nor bottom fans, just 1 mid-positioned front, 1 top-positioned back.

What case do you have? You can't add more fans to increase your airflow?

 

[retab12332]

What case do you have? You can't add more fans to increase your airflow?

be quiet! Pure Base 600 Silver, BG022, Mid-Tower ATX, there is no more room

 

[WilliamM2]

What cooler is it? My Mugen 5 can only be mounted with air flowing front to back. I suppose I could put the fan on the other side for back to front, but no way to get bottom to top air flow.

 

[mv2devnull]

Cooler is Be-Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4

What cooler is it?

That cooler in that case strongly suggests horizontal front to back airflow.

 

[damian101]

Depends on where you can mount fans.