power supply w/ 2 fans - cpu fan too close

[yelo333]

I am thinking about getting a 2 fan antec power supply (antec smartpower 350w).
the problem is that in my case, the cpu fan is partially below the current power supply(half under, half more toward the drives). I was wondering if 2 fans shoving air in the opposite direction so close (about 3/4 of an inch) would wreck airflow/cause some sort of vacuum between the fans, and negate one another, thus causeing both fans to shove little air.

I would appreciate any help/reccomendation of another power supply.


Thanks!

 

[Jhhnn]

There's really no issue so long as there's some clearance, 3/4" should be fine. If you're concerned about blockage, this might ease your mind- the huge quiet fan is hard to block, and the quality is definitely on a par with the smartpower antecs-

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-966&catalog=58&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

 

[yelo333]

ok, so long as there is quality in that brand.
I really should mention that I have a mid-tower case, and so the power supply has been rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, thus bringing where the intake fan would be on that p/s directly facing the thunderbird's heatsink fan.
maybe this would explain it a bit more.

so, the question, is a lot of suction right there (directly pulling in the opposite diriction of the cpu fan) going to make my cpu fan not operate efficiently?

 

[yelo333]

bump for help

 

[yelo333]

somebody?

The first guy is probably right, so maybe that's why...(I wouldn't mind his opinion seconded)

of course, if nobody answers this time, and I'll just assume the first guy was right.

Thanks again!

 

[beatle]

It does have an effect, unfortunately. Take a look at these pics:

pic 1
pic 2
pic 3

That was my old case (Nikao X-Jazz), old mb (Abit KT7a-RAID) and old HSF (Alpha 8045). I still have the PSU (Antec True330) but the case was retired. I had to run a fairly strong 80mm exhaust (I also tried it as an intake and it was worse) to get adequate cooling.

Notice there is no fan grill on the PSU. I took it off because it was TOUCHING the 8045! :Q

 

[BlackMountainCow]

Notice there is no fan grill on the PSU. I took it off because it was TOUCHING the 8045!

Do u think that Nikato or Alpha did not stick to the ATX specifications?

 

[yelo333]

I really would like to explain my situation a bit more, as I have about .75 of an inch to spare, so that might do it(maybe I'll just have to find out)

Have a second look at this pic:

pic 2

remove the 80mm fan, and rotate the p/s 90 degrees counter-clockwise, so the intake side of the fans are very close - 3/4 of an inch to spare.(the ANTEC lettering would be pointing down)

remember that this was from the days of a PII, when the processor was on it's side, and it's only now that this has become a problem.

also, as I have the NF7, slide the processor towards the drives until half of it is beyond the power supply.

now that you have a nice mental picture of my problem, do you think this would still apply? (I'm desparate)

 

[SWScorch]

Ack! Your PSU is mounted vertically? It would almost certainly cause a problem. My friend used to have a case like that, and having the power supply mounted in such a way created a dead spot of air, and his CPU would overheat. He actually had to remove the power supply and place it on top of the case for it to work correctly, at least until he bought an Antec case. In another situation that more closely resembles your's, I too had a case like that at work. And, like you, I had a dual-fan Antec power supply. Once again, the CPU would overheat. The two fans were simply too close to each other and basically cancelled each other out. I had to convince my boss to let me use a different case.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: BlackMountainCow

Notice there is no fan grill on the PSU. I took it off because it was TOUCHING the 8045!

Do u think that Nikato or Alpha did not stick to the ATX specifications?

Nikao is to blame. I've had the 8045 in 3 cases and the Nikao was the only one with problems.

 

[yelo333]

I really don't want to replace my case, as it's a great case of very rigid construction(lift 1 corner, and the rest of the case comes with without any noticeable bend), but I do have some alternatives I wanted to ask you guys about:

1. the panel on the top of the case is removable(although I haven't tried to do so, will as soon as I'm done writing this, and post my results), so could I just take that off, and set my p/s on top?
2. if so, should I then cover up the rest of the top part unused by the p/s to keep airflow flowing smoothly?


edit:it is removable - in a sense. it's what makes the case rigid. it keeps the back and front of the case standing up straight. They both would probably be fine without it, and the side panels would probably help a lot(they were off when I tried it). another problem: I got the front of the case off once, and forgot how to do it. I'll need to figure that out to figure out how to take off the top...so, yes, I can remove the top if I can figure out some method of reinforcement(suggestions?)

 

[yelo333]

what if I just replace my case?for an extra $17, I could just get a nice antec case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-117&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

do you think that is a good case?

 

[beatle]

Tough to go wrong with an Antec. Moving the PSU outside the case might be more trouble than its worth. In addition to removing it, you'll then have to run the wires back inside the case for all your devices AND the motherboard. The motherboard connector could be problematic if it doesn't fit.

It's difficult to go wrong with an Antec case... and it comes with a decent PSU to boot.

 

[yelo333]

any final comments?
if not, I'm going to buy that antec case I mentioned as soon as possible - I know I'm really overpowering my current p/s

 

[0roo0roo]

virtically mounted psu? horrific.

get a chieftec/antec case thats well designed, none of that bs. both are made byt he same company. and the cases have great design, and ventilation, easy to work in. chieftec aluminum versions can be had for just a tiny bit more. buy wihtout psu and use the one u have. two fans really are better then one. doesn't double output, but it basically is more forceful, so fighting all the air obstructions they put out more air.

simple solution woulda been to flip the cpu fan so it blows straight into the already exhausting psu, possibly even having a benificial effect, two fans working in tandem slightly apart fight back pressure better then one. forcefully sucking more air through the fins.

two fans facing each other pulling air in opposite directions would be very bad. but easily fixed with a simple switch as i've said.

a few chieftec

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-125-264&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-125-607&depa=1

aluminum just a little more http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-125-274&depa=1

just search for chieftec to see the rest.

as for beatles pics, those aren't bad. if the rear fan is exhaust, then they aren't fighting the cooler at all, air should be sucked away from the heatsink pins/fins.