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Silly basic cooling question

nsafreak

Diamond Member
I can't believe I'm asking this but since I want to make sure that I have my fan airflow correct I'm going to post it in here. I have a CoolerMaster RC-534+ (same as this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-106-_-Product just with a silver front) and I want to make sure everything is getting cooled as best possible. My temps aren't bad but its possible they could be better.

Airflow is as follows:

Front: one 120mm Scythe SFDB fan blowing in
Back: one 120mm Scythe SFDB fan blowing out
Side: one 120mm Scythe SFDB fan blowing out
Slots: One slot exhaust fan on back side of video card exhausing out
CPU: OEM heatskink/fan exhausting through duct

The one fan that I'm not sure about is the side fan. Should it be exhausting air from the case (its right above the video card) or should it be blowing air in? I would think that it may create a bit of a vortex if I have it blow in but I could be wrong.
 
The picture shows it blowing air IN, and that's what I would do. Otherwise you would have too many fans blowing out. Your power supply also blows OUT.

Actually, the CPU fan should be sucking air IN as well (that's normal for most that I've seen).
 
Side fan "should" be set as intake. Each setup can be different though. Run a few tests with video card and/or processor at load with your current setup, then switch the side fan to intake and run the same test(s). Judge for yourself which works better.

Stock heatsink fans should be blowing down onto the heatsink/processor. If you haven't messed with the fan, that's what it's already doing.
 
General rules

In: front, bottom left and right*

Out: back and top

* example stacker cm 810 has right squirrel cage motherboard fan option.
 
You have to many fans blowing out, you want to have positive pressure in your case, so air and dust don't get sucked in trough small holes and cracks.
 
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