CPU Fan Orientation

[CDC Mail Guy]

Instead of aiming this thing (ZALMAN CNPS9900A) toward the back of the Antec 900 case, can I mount it so it blows and vents out the top of the case where the 200mm fan is located?

If I did this, would it also pull heat way from video card as well? Or would that be a bad idea because it would be "hot" air blowing across the fins of the CPU cooler?

 

[Billb2]

Why do people ask these kinds of questions?
Unless you run across someone with the exact same setup who has tried the exact same thing, anyone's answer will be just a guess.

Just try it and see.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Why do people ask these kinds of questions?
Unless you run across someone with the exact same setup who has tried the exact same thing, anyone's answer will be just a guess.

Just try it and see.

Okay...I will. Thank you for a reply at least, I guess. The reason I asked is maybe that someone else here did it? So...care to hazard a guess Billb2?

 

[Anubis]

you shouldn't have any issue doing that, many people who use larger aftermarket CPU coolers have them blowing towards the top of their case because they do not fit in a east/west configuration because of tall ram, there are no real issues with doing so as long as you have a vent out the top of the case so the air has some place to go

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

you shouldn't have any issue doing that, many people who use larger aftermarket CPU coolers have them blowing towards the top of their case because they do not fit in a east/west configuration because of tall ram, there are no real issues with doing so as long as you have a vent out the top of the case so the air has some place to go

Thank you for an answer that I can use. I appreciate it, as it is an answer I expect when I post a "stupid to some" question in a forum full of people that know more than I do. Thank you again.

 

[Eddie313]

It's not a stupid question a lot of guys build a ton here so they try different things.

I have used that cooler i find it better to point exhaust up i have seen on some coolers a couple of degree drop in cpu temp. Also Heat heat rises.

When pointing cpu's to exhaust up i have found that seems to be better when it is bigger than a 120mm cooling fan AKA 140mm to 230mm fan.

 

[aigomorla]

CDC it can be different in both scenario depending on how your air flow is, and what type of GPU's you have.

So as bill says, there is no better confirmation / test then you trying it yourself.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Now...let me see...what direction is the airflow on this thing? Lol....just kidding Seriously, I thank you all, and I have decided that I am going to aim it up at the top case fan. Now, one more if you will indulge me, can I remove the rear fan then?

 

[43st]

If you have a blow hole in the case then you should always aim the CPU fan straight up. I've done this in both the 900 and the 300 and it works great. You should even consider removing the large top fan and just using the CPU fan to assist in convection.

And yes, remove the rear fan completely. A few well placed fans will be vastly cooler running than a ton of poorly placed fans.

 

[Billb2]

Okay...I will. Thank you for a reply at least, I guess. The reason I asked is maybe that someone else here did it? So...care to hazard a guess Billb2?

Best advice I can give is:
Make sure the exhaust CFM = intake CFM, otherwise your fans are working against each other.

Typical cases have at least 100 CFM going through then and are less than 2 cubic feet in volume. That's 50 air changes per minute! So where the fans blow and where the intake(s)/exhaust(s) are located is of little consequence.

Deal with dead spots (usually around video cards) by putting a fan inside the case circulating air into the dead spot.

And " He who tries the most, gets the best results".

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Final. Removed top 230(?)mm fan from top of case, CPU fan exhausting out the top, removed rear fan, top fromt fan is intake, and lower (where hard drives are) is also exhausting. I did this as I live in the Ca desert, and even though I clean my case MONTHLY, you should see the hard drives from my last build...DISGUSTINGLY GROSS. I know I am probably creating a vacuum or tornado or something like that isndie the case like this...but so far so good as far as I can tell...and QUIET!!!

 

[43st]

Good layout! The lower front fan may not be doing much, and if you're not running your hard drives like a server farm you may just want to disconnected it.

You may want to blow out your case on occasion as well.. maybe in the spring and fall. I guess in the desert that would be during HOT and then again in HOT.

 

[t77snapshot]

Instead of aiming this thing (ZALMAN CNPS9900A) toward the back of the Antec 900 case, can I mount it so it blows and vents out the top of the case where the 200mm fan is located?

If I did this, would it also pull heat way from video card as well? Or would that be a bad idea because it would be "hot" air blowing across the fins of the CPU cooler?

I tried this setup with a Zalman 9500A on my Tempest case and the temps went up a couple degrees, so I flipped it back to pushing the air out the rear of the case. That was my experience with my setup, it may differ for others...just my 2 cents.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

I tried this setup with a Zalman 9500A on my Tempest case and the temps went up a couple degrees, so I flipped it back to pushing the air out the rear of the case. That was my experience with my setup, it may differ for others...just my 2 cents.

The first thing I notices (of course) was the cable management, and I just have to say WOW!!! Nice job, and VERY nice rig altogether from what I can see...nice color scheme.

Beyond that, was the top fan running or not? I fail to what difference it would make, but I removed mine on "43st's" suggestion.