Yet another fan placement question; in regard to the heatsink though

[jarsoffart]

I know similar subjects have been discussed numerously and I have searched the archives, but I still am not sure how I should place my fans.

I have three fans total, two in my PSU and one on my Thermalright SLK-800. Through experimentation, I have found that the SLK-800 likes to have the fan blow air through the fins instead of having the air sucked through the fins. The bottom fan on my PSU intakes air into the PSU. With the HS fan blowing into the HS and the bottom PSU fan blowing into the PSU, they are going in opposite directions. This seems detrimental. So, my question is, how would I obtain optimal airflow?

1. Have HS fan suck through the heatsink and keep PSU in default condition.
2. Take out bottom PSU fan altogether.
3. The "destructiveness" of the opposing fans is negligible.
4. Create a duct going from the HS fan to the rear fan slot and add a "chimney" to my PSU to avoid having hot air intake into the duct to the HS.

 

[Drewpy]

Depending on the size of your case, a well placed plate would effectively shield the HSF from the airflow of your PSU. This would only be a good idea on a larger (full tower) case with good airflow.

barring that, idea #4 seems to be your best bet. I'd be rather reluctant to remove the fan from the PSU.

or you could duct the bottom intake fan of your PSU to some other location.

 

[jarsoffart]

I have a Antec SX1030 clone (Chieftec DX-01BD). If I added a plate, that would totally block the bottom intake fan of the PSU. I'm assuming when you said to add a plate you meant while also taking out that bottom PSU fan, right?

 

[Drewpy]

I would not really worry about what you consider to be a problem though. If your temps are fine leave well enough alone I say.

I meant the plate as a physical separation mounted midway between the HSF unit and the intake of your PSU. This would separate the airflow "sharing" between those two fans. But only if you have a full tower case. Since yours is a mid tower, that idea will not work.

Of your ideas, I still like #4.

Another option would be to cut a hole in the side panel right above where the HSF is, and either place a fan there blowing onto your HSF, or simply putting a duct there leading to the HSF. It would be the least amount of work to bring in fresh air to your HSF. And might look pretty good if you used a LED fan and had a window.