Intake/Exhaust Setup

[fogeyman]

I recently got a new computer with 3x 120mm fans and I'm wonder what the setup should be. I have one fan in front, one on the side, and one in back. Currently, I have the front as intake and the others as exhaust and my temps are quite low (30/45-ish for my CPU). What is the most ideal setup?

Additionally, would the intake/exhaust setup change if the fans were 1x 120mm and 2x80mm instead with the 120 in front, 1x 80mm on the side, and 1x 80mm at the rear (my friend has this setup)?

 

[Bobthelost]

You could just try it and then tell us how it all works...

 

[fogeyman]

Well I am trying it...the first setup with the 3x 120mm is already in use. I just want to know if a different setup is better. As for the second one, the case was just ordered. Plus, it takes only a minute or two for someone to type up a response but a lot longer to reverse the fans and test the setup and monitor temperatures. Obviously I could try it out and see what happens, but so could anyone for anything. The whole reason people post on forums is to get opinions and to get good information much quicker...

EDIT: at least, those are some of the reasons.

 

[Bobthelost]

Fair points. I think you've got the best settup at the moment.

 

[suszterpatt]

Point is, there's really no rule on what works and what doesn't. Generally, front intake and rear exhaust is good, but whether the side fan should suck or blow is really dependent on the actual setup. Flipping the side fan is the only thing that could probably help, but not much if any.

 

[fogeyman]

Thanks for the help!

 

[scrawnypaleguy]

Whatever you do, stick with the 120mm fans, they push far more air with much less noise than 80mm fans.

 

[zagood]

Agreed, stick with the 120mm fans.

If you set the side fan as intake, you'll create positive pressure in the case, which normally reduces the amount of dust that accumulates.

Generally the side fan is more efficient as an intake, if it's exhaust it ends up sucking out some of the cooler air from your bottom intake and not letting it get to the top where the processor is located (unless it's one of the flipped design cases like the P180).

-z

 

[fogeyman]

Originally posted by: scrawnypaleguy
Whatever you do, stick with the 120mm fans, they push far more air with much less noise than 80mm fans.

Originally posted by: zagood
Agreed, stick with the 120mm fans.

The two different fan size setups are for two different cases, two different computers, and two different people. The 3x 120mm is for me and the new case with the 1x 120mm and 2x 80mm is for my friend.

For my friends case, the front fan is obviously intake and the rear is exhaust. The front fan is also a 120mm fan while the rear and side are 80mm fans. I was worried that if the side fan is intake, then the rear 80mm would be the only case fan that is set to exhaust. Could this be problematic? I believe his case not the flipped designe like the P180.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: fogeyman

Originally posted by: scrawnypaleguy
Whatever you do, stick with the 120mm fans, they push far more air with much less noise than 80mm fans.

Originally posted by: zagood
Agreed, stick with the 120mm fans.

The two different fan size setups are for two different cases, two different computers, and two different people. The 3x 120mm is for me and the new case with the 1x 120mm and 2x 80mm is for my friend.

For my friends case, the front fan is obviously intake and the rear is exhaust. The front fan is also a 120mm fan while the rear and side are 80mm fans. I was worried that if the side fan is intake, then the rear 80mm would be the only case fan that is set to exhaust. Could this be problematic? I believe his case not the flipped designe like the P180.

Hmmmm, interesting dilemma. If the case has the proper mounting holes, or if you could drill them yourself with a sheet metal bit, move the 120mm fan to the back of the case and pop the 80mm on the front and switch the side to intake, or just buy another 120mm for the back.

Current setup isn't as efficient as it could be, but if it works it'll be fine. Also remember, there's no hard and fast rules for air cooling...sometimes a fan that "should" work better as intake works better as exhaust.

-z

 

[suszterpatt]

Also, PSU's often draw air from the inside of the case, serving as an exhaust fan.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

side fan should be exhasut sucking out all the hot air from the cpu hs/f

 

[cyberknight]

Front fans really don't help with overall case cooling all too much. In fact, I sent InWin an emailing inquiing why their C720T case had no front fan, and they replied with a link from AMD site (a PDF) stating that front fans don't really help.

Of course, I dunno how true this is, but something to think about.

It will help cool your HDD's a bit though, if they are located there.

 

[zest]

It depends on whih fans you use and thier effectivness...& while cooling the Pc and maintain desirable sound levels.