Side fan mounting question

[F117NightHawk]

I have an 80 mm side fan mounted on the case's door. I mounted it as an exhaust fan (blowing outward), but have since read that side fans are supposed to be for air intake (blowing inward). The fan is mounted lower than the CPU at about the same level as the front intake fans, which is making me think I may have mounted it wrong. Which is correct way to mount it?

 

[Buk]

Usually side fans are mounted over the processor and blowing in. Mounted low on the side and blowing out would be contrary to common practice of having cool air coming in at bottom and exiting at the top. Try it both ways and check temps, YMMV...........

 

[KayGee]

well, what i found might contradict the general consensus. when my side fan was blowing inward, the VGA idle temperature was 39°C and when i switched to exhaust, it idled at 36°C. the CPU idle temperature was the same for both intake and exhaust. interestingly, my case has no front intake. i have 80mm side, top and rear fans in addition to the psu exhaust fan and all blow outward (exhaust). see this link for temperatures of my rig.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...5586&enterthread=y

 

[LifeStealer]

Every case is different, you should always try different fan setups to see what is best for you.

 

[F117NightHawk]

Thanks.