Optimal direction and placement of fans?

[Electrode]

Hey all. I'm still working on perfecting the airflow in my new rig. I have a few questions:

1. What direction should the fans on the CPU coolers face? Blowing into or sucking out of the coolers?
2. Same as 1, but for the northbridge.
3. I have a 80mm exhaust fan at the back of the case, a 80mm intake at the front, and I am planning to add a 120mm exhaust fan to the top. I also have a virgin side panel that has some prime real estate for a 120mm fan over the expansion slots. Should it be an exhaust or intake? Any improvement I could make to the other 3?

Thanks in advance for any help!
-Electrode

 

[xXgambitXx]

case fans: fans in the front/bottom should take air "in" while fans in the back/top should be exhaust.
i don't know about the top fan but i'd guess that it should be an exhaust too because hot air rises and you want to get it out of the top. blowing air down into your computer won't do much.

northbridge: no idea, i'd guess blowing onto it.

CPU heatsink: something that i've absorbed from the cases/cooling kids is that for "fin" heatsinks the fan should blow onto the HS and away from the "pin" heatsinks. i would try it one way, measure and try it another.

 

[KouklatheCat]

1) I have heard what xXgambitXx has with regard to the heatsink fans.

2) I have no idea about the northbridge-sorry

3) If you can add one more 80mm to the front as intake that is what I would do. The 120 mm in the top is a good idea. Is there a way for you to add a fan below your PS? I would say you are better off putting an intake on the side pannel of your case, meebee an 80-92 mm. The theory on that is cool air would come from your front intake and side intake, towards your top exhaust (like an upside down Y).

 

[Electrode]

Actually, the 80mm at the back of the case IS under the power supply.

I guess all my questions are answered. Thanks for the help all.

 

[fluxquantum]

here's a decent guide: case cooling guide

 

[KouklatheCat]

Sounds like you have the right Idea, let us know how it works...