What part of a hard drive needs cooling more?

[Raduque]

Is it the bottom with the PCB on it, or the top that's closest to the platters? I ask because my current HD cage holds 5 HDS, but I'm only going to put 3 in it. I was planning on putting the two outermost HDs either PCB facing in (towards the middle of the cage) or out (facing the outer panel of the cage), but I don't know where the airflow from my fans will be most beneficial to the HD. I'm thinking it's the PCB side, right?

 

[Cheex]

Well, first off I must say that I'm not completely sure but...

The PCB side, really the PCB itself would be just like any other PCB inside your system, including your motherboard, and should be okay with just your regular case ventilation. I've noticed that the top side of the hard drive gets warmer to the touch than the underside.

So, if positioning them matters to you, then I would say that the top side (the side nearer to the platters) is the side that needs more cooling.

Good luck to you man :beer:

 

[nevbie]

I think I read somewhere that the sides get hottest, so neither.

Of course the only real answer about the placement is to try both, and compare the temperature results that you get in hardware monitor.

 

[Billb2]

HDD heat is dissipated through the sides (the only part of the HDD that contacts something to dissipate the heat into).

 

[EarthwormJim]

The PCB side would get warmest (closest to the motor), but you'd surprised at the lack of cooling a hard drive needs.

I wouldn't fret over orientation, as long as a hard drive is below it's max rated operating temperature (often 60c), it's fine.

 

[andrei3333]

i have a fan right in front of my both hard rives and the temps stay between 29-32 C which i think is pretty good

 

[Rubycon]

As long as you follow the manufacturer's published guidelines on drive clearance and minimum airflow you should be fine. Drives 1/4" apart WILL need some form of active cooling or they will overheat (overheat is temp > 56°C).

 

[Raduque]

got two 80mm 30cfm fans putting air through the drive bay. the drives will be one full drive (3/4"?) thickness apart.