For this case is it better to add a fan for cool air in or hot air out?

[nitro28]

I have this case Cooler Master

It comes with 3 fans. Two are cold air in and one is hot air out. The cold air fans are in the front and side and the hot is in the back. I have an extra fan laying around. Would it be better to add it to one of the top spots for hot air out or to the bottom for cold air in?

 

[JBDan]

Top exhaust. Through extensive personal testing on my P180 I have found that negative pressure in a case is MUCH better than positive. The more exhaust ya got, a vacuum is created and air has to start moving...your vents will allow plenty of cool air to enter if you create that vacuum. Of course this is all just my opinion

 

[WoodButcher]

Try both and report back with the temps, I give my opinion then




I prefer more intake if the choices ar even performace-wise because a fan blowing out will contribute more to the ambient noise in your room, also an intake fan can be directed to areas you need it most such as the video or NB.
Out is a good option if you can pinpoint hot spots but generally this is not the case.
Try both and use what works best for you.
Keep us posted!

 

[imported_Scoop]

Why do people ask this stuff here when they could, in the time it takes to write a post like this, test it out for themselves.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: Scoop
Why do people ask this stuff here when they could, in the time it takes to write a post like this, test it out for themselves.

That is what these forums are for I would hope that the OP would try all the various options available to him and based on his temp testing go with what is best for him. Tinkering, after all, is what makes PC's so fun for me.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: JBDan
Top exhaust. Through extensive personal testing on my P180 I have found that negative pressure in a case is MUCH better than positive. The more exhaust ya got, a vacuum is created and air has to start moving...your vents will allow plenty of cool air to enter if you create that vacuum. Of course this is all just my opinion

Yeah, there is no vacuum seal inside the Antec P180 so are you sure you know what you're talking about here? A vacuum also requires a significant amount of airflow which also adds noise.

The Cooler Master case above is incapable of a vacuum seal because of it's design (all the vents, etc).

 

[aigomorla]

2 x 140mm fanns for the side pannel blowing air inside and onto your mobo.

120mm fan rear to exhaust

Top, leave fanless just as a vent. Warm air rises anyhow, and the 140's will blow a ton of air on your mobo. Adding fans up there will only create more noise anyhow.

Bottom 140 exhausting unless you have carpet, which then you should leave empty.

Front 120 for hard drives.


That i believe is the most optimum solution for that case if your dealing with air.


140mm yates can be bought at bulk discount @ jab-tech.com I highly recomend them.



And YES 140MM YATES will fit on it. I have that case only pimped out to its max. I have a 140MM Yate on the side right over the GPU part keeping air blown on the SB and ram sinks of my GPU.

Its a great case. You can add 2 x 140mm on the side pannel for super good cooling on the mobo @ low noise.

 

[nitro28]

Originally posted by: Scoop
Why do people ask this stuff here when they could, in the time it takes to write a post like this, test it out for themselves.

What is the purpose of the forum if it is not to ask questions and spur discussion. If you don't want to answer the question then just ignore it, simple as that. I have not finished building the computer with this case yet so I wanted to get some opinions from others with experience with this case. Thank you to those who helped I will post my results with the fan in several locations.

 

[JBDan]

Lookin' forward to your findings let us know!

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: nitro28

Originally posted by: Scoop
Why do people ask this stuff here when they could, in the time it takes to write a post like this, test it out for themselves.

What is the purpose of the forum if it is not to ask questions and spur discussion. If you don't want to answer the question then just ignore it, simple as that. I have not finished building the computer with this case yet so I wanted to get some opinions from others with experience with this case. Thank you to those who helped I will post my results with the fan in several locations.

:thumbsup::laugh::thumbsup:

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Save yourself the time, you are more then likely not going to see any real difference in your temps based on how you run the fans. Been there done that myself, with my case.

 

[Xvys]

I would put the extra fan on top to help expel the hot air generated in the top corner. With this case, I have 1 front (intake), 1 back (exhaust), 2 top (exhaust), 1 bottom (intake), all 120mm. I don't use the side fans as one had to be removed to fit the Ultra 120 Extreme heatsink and the other one whines too loud (a common complaint with this case). When activated, the side fan did not seem to change my temps.

 

[NoShangriLa]

It all depends on the opening of intake and exhaust air opening.

From my HVAC experience air friction is a big contribution to noise. Intake surface area should be at least 2X larger than exhaust surface area, and the larger the exhause area the lower friction ratio will be.

Sound dampening materials can be added to the outside or inside surface of the box, and the larger the box the more volume to work with. And, remember to add filter to keep the dust out.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the box too much and put effort into running exteded cabling for the monitor, mouse & key board (blue tooth/IR range extender) from a cool basement to your room. Because, the noise will not be a problem and cooling isn't as big of an issue.