Best direction of fan coolling

I am trying to cool down my CPU as efficiently ans I can with my case fans.

I have:
- 80mm fan in front pulling air in (up to 32.11 CFM .. variable from mobo)
- 80mm fan in back pulling air in (up to 32.11 CFM .. variable from mobo)
- 120mm fan on the side pushing air out (68.54 CFM all times)
- 80mm fan in the PSU pushing air out.

I do not know the PSUs CFM .. but is this how you would set them up?

I am looking into 92mm fans for the front & back.

I would exhaust case air out the back with the rear 80mm. so pull in air from front and side and exhaust air from rear and PSU fan. Then I would consider a good after market air cooler for my CPU and clean the thermal paste and re-apply with premium compound and a great cooler that will fit you're case and ram configuration. Consider a Thermaltake or Noctua CPU cooler and then consider increasing air flow with an addition front mount fan if possible?

I think I tried that configuration before .. for some reason it made the CPU alil bit hotter.

I am thinking of getting this cooler for my current CPU (Phenom X3 8650) .. and possible upgrade of Phenom II X4 840 or a Athlon II X4 645

Newegg.com - ZALMAN 9500A-LED 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Joshatdot said:

I think I tried that configuration before .. for some reason it made the CPU alil bit hotter.

I am thinking of getting this cooler for my current CPU (Phenom X3 8650) .. and possible upgrade of Phenom II X4 840 or a Athlon II X4 645

Newegg.com - ZALMAN 9500A-LED 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Click to expand...

Well you don't want to be pushing air in the front and the back usually. It probably was hotter because your airflow wasn't optimized. Don't count your PSU in the equation - you have 120mm side out and 2 80mm in.


But I don't have a clear picture of where your current CPU cooler is blowing and what it's CFM is. I assume it is blowing air down onto the CPU heat-sink and that the front & back fans are supplying intake and the side exhausting. your current configuration should probably handle that OK, but it is probably not optimal.

BTW, I had that Zalman CPU cooler for my Intel chip. I did not like it at all, especially for the price. It didn't fit well, did not have CPU controlled fan, it didn't cool very well, and was VERY load at full speed. It did not last in my case very long and is in the closet now. I am using a Coolermaster Hyper 212+ now and am very happy (it costs less too).

Your current fan configuration is giving you Negative air flow since you have more air being exhausted. For best performance and less dust you are better served with Positive air flow.

That cooler is a good looker but not such a great performer. I have reviewed a good number of the big air coolers and for your system I would highly recommend the Cooler Master Hyper212+ which can be found on line for as little as 25.00.

To me it sounds like time for a new case. Really 80mm's just don't cut the mustard as they say. Great cases aren't all that expensive and with 120/140mm fans and normally a couple of top mounted openings your options for cooling increase exponentially buy having sealed water cooling options like a H50 or H70 or Cool-it coolers.

I'd love to get a new case, there are some Lian Li's I've love to get .. but I need to spend as little as I can right now.

Cool Master Hyper 212+ .. I'll look into it, thanks for the tip!

My current case can use 92mm in the front & back. There are some Gelid fans on newegg that move a lot of air & should be quiet too.

Newegg.com - GELID Solutions FN-TX09-20 92mm Case Fan
Newegg.com - GELID Solutions FN-PX09-20 92mm Case Fan

Speaking of fans .. is it best to have the mobo control them? or use molex adapters and have them at 100% all the time?

Joshatdot said:

I'd love to get a new case, there are some Lian Li's I've love to get .. but I need to spend as little as I can right now.

Cool Master Hyper 212+ .. I'll look into it, thanks for the tip!

My current case can use 92mm in the front & back. There are some Gelid fans on newegg that move a lot of air & should be quiet too.

Newegg.com - GELID Solutions FN-TX09-20 92mm Case Fan
Newegg.com - GELID Solutions FN-PX09-20 92mm Case Fan

Speaking of fans .. is it best to have the mobo control them? or use molex adapters and have them at 100% all the time?

Click to expand...

I let the MB control mine. Much less noise under usual load. Best is PWM fans as well - if your MB has 4 pin PWM fan headers.

to be honest, i would just take off the rear fan and turn it around to exhaust, the side fan needs to suck air in, and the zalman CPU fan definitely helps, stock fans and heatsinks will just overheat your CPU quickly, i have a similar zalman fan, it works a treat even with negative flow, but its advisable that you pull air in from the front and suck it out the back, with the zalman, its in the direct flow and aims for the exhaust, that way its a constant flow over your CPU and northbridge

Run all case fans off PSU not mobo if possible and only run the CPU cooler of the mobo PWM IMHO. Also see if you have quiet n' cool in the bios and try it....it will make a lot of difference! I say save a little more for the case as if you can replace 2 or 3 fans with quality fans you are very close if not there for a new case and look for one with two front, one side, one rear installed and openings for at least one or two in the top of the case.

whoa .. turns out the 80mm in the back was NOT powered. When I did plug it in, I remembered why it was not! .. it WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDD

I've since got a new 92mm for the back (the front can only do 80mm *sad panda*). So now the front 80mmand side 120mm are pulling air in, and the 92mm in the back is pushing air out .. and the PSU fan too.

Things are much cooler!! idle around desktop, surfing is now 44*C or less .. and in WoW is 61*C

I'll still look into a better CPU cooler than my OEM.

after some hours with this new 92mm fan ... sheesh its loud! Dont know its specifics (will have to take it off to check the brand & model) .. but speedfan says its spinning at 4000~4250 RPM

edit: I think its a Sunon 92mm fan of some sorts

I would experiement with each method a day or 2, and watch the results.

I prefer a Neg. AirFlow myself, but some cases/setups will do better with a positive airflow setup.
Try both and see which provides the best results for you.