Cooling a new PC

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jel183

I have just built my first PC.... I need some advice on cooling. I obviously
have a CPU fan/heatsink and the PSU has its own fan, but I want to install
an additional case fan. Which is the best option?

1) fan at the back drawing warm air out?
or
2) fan at the front drawing cool air in?

My case has fitting for both, my MB has power supply for one.
 
Fans at the front are often designed/placed for blowing over the hd's -
depends on your case.
The psu may have a specific fan connector, as well as mobo
 
A fan at the back will remove hot air, and room temp air will be drafted in
from the front to replace what is be exhausted. If your case is fitted for
120mm rear fan, that's what I would suggest. They run at a lower RPM,
reducing noise, but move air effectively because of the size. You can also
add a fan to the front, probably 80 mm if you want cooler air blowing over
the hard drive cage, if that is where they are mounted.

Fitz
 
It depends on your current temperatures, how the case is designed, and what
you've installed. There is no one best way. If the current temps are
reasonable then adding a fan won't improve anything. Generally I prefer fans
mounted at the back pushing air out. With most cases this drops temps better
than a front mounted fan pushing in. It's also much easier to clean a back
mounted fan with most cases.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I have decided to try an 80mm fan on the back (no room for a 120mm) and see
how that goes.

Thanks
 
jel183(UK) said:
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I have decided to try an 80mm fan on the back (no room for a 120mm) and see
how that goes.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Is the spot for the fan in front directly in front
of your hard drives? If so, a fan there WILL benefit
the drives - newer, faster drives (especially SATA) run
pretty hot.
 
"jel183" asked:
I have just built my first PC.... I need some advice on cooling.
I obviously have a CPU fan/heatsink and the PSU has its
own fan, but I want to install an additional case fan. Which
is the best option?

1) fan at the back drawing warm air out?
or
2) fan at the front drawing cool air in?

My case has fitting for both, my MB has power supply for one.
Click to expand...


Either way is equally effective. A fan on the back pushing
air out is usually quieter when heard from the front than a fan
on the front with a straight air path to your ears.

*TimDaniels*
 
"jel183" asked:
I have just built my first PC.... I need some advice on cooling.
I obviously have a CPU fan/heatsink and the PSU has its
own fan, but I want to install an additional case fan. Which
is the best option?

1) fan at the back drawing warm air out?
or
2) fan at the front drawing cool air in?

My case has fitting for both, my MB has power supply for one.
Click to expand...

Both. Y-cable for the power, or tap directly from the Power Supply instead of
the MB.

Depending on the case design, a front fan may also cool the hard drives.
 
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