Intake fan over HD: Good/Bad idea?

[CaptShoe]

I have an Antec Plus1080AMG case which comes with a mounting bracket for an optional fan which sucks in air from the front and blows right at the HD. I tested it out by installing a fan with a simple on/off switch and monitoring the temps with it on and off. It seems like the temperatures are one or two degrees higher with the fan on, which brings up an issue. Should the fan blow air into the case, over the HD, and onto the motherboard? It looks like this setup only washes the hot air from the HD onto the CPU/GPU/Mobo. Thanks!

EDIT:
added link to pic:
The bracket without a HD or fan installed (inside cage)

Capt

 

[SuperPickle]

Welcome to Anandtech
Well, you have to ask yourself: which is more important to me? keeping the mobo/CPU/vid a degree or two cooler, or adding longevity to my HDDs? Most componants in a computer don't like heat--harddrives included. You probably are washing heated air further into your case, but you're also cooling the harddrive which can only be good for it in the long run.

 

[Jeff7]

One thing to notice - taking heat away from a component means that it's just going somewhere else - in this case, into the rest of the computer case. You just need to have an exhaust fan (or two or three or twenty) to suck the hot air out of the case.
Usually, fans like the ones over the drives are used as intakes, to blow cool air over the hard drive(s). Yes, this warm air will go over the motherboard, however, you should also have an exhaust fan toward the top of the back of the case. There will be one in the power supply, but most cases have an extra space for one just a little below the power supply. This way, the warm air present in the PC will be constantly removed, replaced by cool air from intakes.
Another tip - it's generally a good idea to have an equal amount of air coming in as is going out. I don't recall which is better to try for though - negative or positive pressure; someone else may have more information on that.

So in short, yes, the fan in front (generally towards the bottom of the case) is useful for an intake, while fans nearer the top of the case (and toward the back usually) are best for exhaust.

 

[CaptShoe]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. =D
I guess I'll keep the fan there, and just turn it on when running HD intensive programs. Might install some kind of temp monitor by the HD. But I probably wont be keeping the fan I have now since its a loud mofo. (Got it from a friend who didn't need it).
Maybe installing it in the lower bracket would neutralize the temperatures a bit. If so, I'll probably get 2 fans and install both of them.

Btw, the case came with 2 exhaust fans in the rear below the PSU, and the PSU has 2 fans inside which sucks even more air out of the case. Seems like I have negative pressure with the current setup.

Any recommendations for some quiet fans with RPM monitoring built in?

Thanks again.

Capt

 

[aSnipingPenguin]

Originally posted by: CaptShoe
Wow, thanks for the quick replies. =D
Any recommendations for some quiet fans with RPM monitoring built in?

These NMBs at Directron are nice. Cheap, too, if you buy in bulk.

 

[CaptShoe]

Nice link, aSnipingPenguin. Thanks.

 

[jarsoffart]

Originally posted by: CaptShoe
Nice link, aSnipingPenguin. Thanks.

Bestbyte.net has 80mm NMB fans for 1.99 + 1.00 shipping. When you order 5 or more, a 5.00 flat shipping fee kicks in. I'm not sure on Directron's shipping. Bestbyte might be cheaper for you if you aren't buying so many. The fans might be the same too.

 

[screw3d]

I have a Chieftec case which is almost the same thing with yours.. and I have 2 Panaflo L1As on the intake (yes, blowing over the harddrive) and another 2 blowing out on top. It runs pretty good so far!

 

[Blooz1]

Both of my systems are set up with the intakes blowing air over the HD's, and it works very well for me. My Lian-Li has 2 Panaflo H1A's blowing over the 2 drives mounted vertically, and my 8RDA+ has a Panaflo 120MM L1A blowing right over the WD 600JB. The drives are never warmer than ambient.

 

[mechBgon]

I'd much rather have my CPU & mobo run 1-2C hotter if it brings my HDD temps down by 5-15C. No doubt about it.

I forbid anyone to buy those NMB fans. If you do, there might not be any left for me by next payday! Stay away! Yeah, you with the mouse... HEY!