CPU Fan direction

[gvayl]

So what's the better way to do it for a DFI UltraD Althon 3200 and a XP-90 heatsink. Should the fan blow towards the CPU or away? I heard that there is no difference, but still there has to be a better way? I have the slk-3000B antec case.

Thanks

 

[Blain]

Try both and see which works best for your particular setup.
That IS the answer! :laugh:

 

[imported_Kensai]

Yupyup. Normally, the fan blows onto the heatsink. It all depends on the airflow patterns in your case.

 

[Operandi]

It also depends on the fan. A fan with lower static pressure (lower RPM) will be more likely to perform the same either way. A side note, pulling air (sucking) through the heatsink can help you case air flow and lower system temps.

 

[Baked]

Hey, I just ordered that same case! Since it comes w/ a duct that's right over the CPU, your best bet is to have the fan blow on the heatsink, drawing cool air using the duct from outside the case. Think I'm gonna get a pair of Vantec Stealth 120mm also. Zalman 7700Cu for HSF.

BTW, how much did you pay for the case? I go mine from amazon.com for $46 shipped.

 

[gvayl]

Yep...same here($46 shipped). Pretty sweet no?

 

[concernedsophist]

So do the retail A64 HSFs blow onto the heatsink then? I would assume so if that is the standard but I just want to check.

 

[l Xes l]

shouldn't it all blow toward the sink?

 

[IntegraGSR]

it depends mostly on your case airflow.. if you have an side panel intake, blowing direcly on your hsf.. then of course you want to blow the air on your hs.

 

[th3dumbguy]

usually your suppose to blow air onto your heatsink

 

[lambchops3344]

you ALWAYS want to blow air onto the heatsink... or through... and yes it auctally does make a big diffrence

 

[Aisengard]

So what's the layout of a heatsink? I would think it would take the heat and store it in the fins or something, then the fan would suck it away into the case. I don't understand why blowing ON it would help.

 

[gvayl]

Well think about it this way... when you accidentaly burn your finger, do you blow air on it or try to suck air away from it...


the above may have nothing to do with heat sinks...sorry...idea poped into my head had to let it out...lol

 

[Aisengard]

Yeah, but that's pain receptors. I dunno, it just seems that blowing already warm air from the case on something doesn't make too much sense.

 

[EULA]

My fan pulls air away from the heatsink. If I reverse it, I have a slight temp. increase. My heatsink isn't stock, however, and it has a shroud to control the airflow.

 

[IntegraGSR]

Originally posted by: Aisengard
So what's the layout of a heatsink? I would think it would take the heat and store it in the fins or something, then the fan would suck it away into the case. I don't understand why blowing ON it would help.

when you're sucking air away from the hs.. the air has to come from somewhere.. it is still sucking air from the case, but from under the fan, instead of over it. the air it would be sucking is a lot closer to the motherboard, ram, video card, and other things that create heat..


if you have an intake directly over the HSF it is highly recommended to have the fan blowing down on the heatsink

for pretty much all other applications you should just try it both ways... it only takes 2 seconds to switch the fan around 🙂