Fan Placement

[Anubis]

YS TECH also makes a 120 mm fan that pushes 131 cfm. and the panaflow and sunons are only like 105 cfm. im guessing this is considerably louder then the other 2?

ok now that i know what fans are the good ones i have a queston. i plan on puttin 1 in the side and 1 top blowhole. and im wounderin is it better to have the side one blowin in and the top blowin out or have the top pullin in good air and the side blowin out. or both in or both out?
I already have a 120mm pabat blowin in from the front and a 80mm blowin out the back and a 80 mm side blowin in above the CPU. it came with my case. it might come out when i put the 120 in dont know yet. im just wounderin what the best way to place them to get the most efficient cooling.

also i plan on cutting these witha hole saw but do they make them big enuff for a 120 mm fan? if so i use one thats a little smaller then 120 mm right? if they dont have them that big what other then a dremel can i use? i dont have a dremel

 

[Jman13]

If those two fans are going to be providing the majority of the airflow, then I would put the side blowhole as intake and the top as exhaust. That way, you get cold room air blowing on your video card, and moving up to your processor, and out the top. Since hot air rises, you'll get a natural convection going towards the top. Trying to force cold air in and then have the hot air forced out the bottom is tough, since the heat naturally wants to rise. This is the same reason that lower front intake and upper rear exhaust works best for front to rear airflow.

 

[Anubis]

these to fans arnt gonna be the only 2 i allready have a papst 120 in the frint and a 80 mm exaust

 

[SuperPickle]

You're talking about serious flow here! Side in and top out is my vote. That's what I have and I keep the case temp within 3º of ambient so it works for me.

They do make hole saws that large but:
a) it'll be expensive. estimate at least $30 and prepare to order it. Hardware stores don't usually stock hole-saws this big.
b) you'll need a very high-torque drill to use it. I doubt a normal cordless will handle this except maybe some of the high-end 24v models by Bosch or DeWalt. Hold on tight as I had a friend sprain his wrist when the saw caught and the drill twisted out of his hands.

 

[Anubis]

yea i heard you need a powerfull drill. i checked the lowes web site and they sell hole saws that big. but that dosentmatter i know a dude that has a machine shop and im gonna do it over there probully with a drill pres makes things a lil easier

 

[Fireman]

Fireman confirms....the message is authenticated. Heat rises.....blow out the top.