CPU fan blowing TOWARDS or AWAY from CPU?

[LiquidAnimosity]

I use Abit EQ to monitor my cpu/case temps. My case temps are usually in the low 30's and my cpu WAS in the 30's in the winter time. Now that its summer my cpu temps go all the way up to 49.5 under load. My questions is, is it better to have the cpu fan blowing air ONTO the cpu or pulling the heat away? I have a tornado fan currently on the CPU and anyone wondering if it is loud... YES VERY!! Also my current fan set up is i have 2 front fans blowing air in 2 rear blowing out for exhaust, i also have one more fan slot on the side of the case, do you think putting a fan there would lower temps?

 

[imported_Kensai]

It depends on the airflow. Try it out both ways and use whichever's better.

 

[Safeway]

XP-90 = blow TOWARDS CPU.

The XP-90 works best that way.

 

[peleejosh]

use the one that gives you lower temps.

 

[cyberknight]

depends on the heatsink, but in general, blowing towards the cpu is better. but try both ways.

 

[Heckler 5th]

even if AWAY is better that TOWARD, the difference will almost certainly be minimal at best. you'd probably be better off focusing your efforts on improving your case cooling. putting a fan on the side will blow cool air onto your cpu/motherboard so that will certainly help. a blowhole in the top of your case wouldn't hurt either, if you're interested in modding.

 

[skdsp]

hmmm well thinking about it, less warm air getting blown onto the CPU seems like it makes the most sense to me because taking air away from the heatsink wont do very much. it needs colder air to diffuse the heat even if the air is around 80-90F

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

you should always have it blowing cool air across the heatsink so it carries awway the heat when it rushes against the fins.

 

[BW86]

Try it both ways and pick the one that yeilds better temps.

 

[ClockerXP]

Hmmm. To suck or blow? I will confer with my wife and let you know.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: ClockerXP
Hmmm. To suck or blow? I will confer with my wife and let you know.

Ok. I'll confer with your wife too.

 

[ClockerXP]

With that post count, you wouldn't have a chance.

 

[albumleaf]

Originally posted by: Kensai

Originally posted by: ClockerXP
Hmmm. To suck or blow? I will confer with my wife and let you know.

Ok. I'll confer with your wife too.

I already did, she's into scat.

 

[ClockerXP]

I interject a little comedy and this is what I get? Wow. You guys really suck.

 

[ClockerXP]

Back on topic.........usually, I find that you get better cooling performance with the fan blowing cool air on the sink. However, the system is usually a little quieter if it is set up to suck hot air off the heatsink.

CxP

 

[furballi]

In general, blowing will yield better result because the air temp is cooler. With the other way, warm air near the surface of the motherboard (RAM, MOSFETs, and chipset) will be used for cooling. The goal is to use the LOWEST air temp.

 

[vanvock]

I use the Alpha which is designed to exhaust. It's ducted out & all fans in my system exhaust, drawing air from one filtered intake.

 

[CrispyFried]

Originally posted by: LiquidAnimosity
Also my current fan set up is i have 2 front fans blowing air in 2 rear blowing out for exhaust, i also have one more fan slot on the side of the case, do you think putting a fan there would lower temps?

I have the same setup (2 front intake, 2 rear exaust, Antec AMG 1080 case) and the side fan does make a difference. Not huge but its there.. My side fan is set as an intake and its not in line with the CPU but that area is clear of cables and such so a lot of that side fan air does hit the CPU.

The air from the front fans gets slightly warmed by my 2 HDs, thats probably why the side fan makes a difference.

 

[Bona Fide]

Logically, sucking the air out would be better, if you have a good exhaust setup. If your exhaust fans aren't all that good, the heatsink air will just circulate around the system.