CPU Heatsink & Fan Orientation

IanB001 · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:08

This is a very silly question but I gotta ask.

Which way do I orientate the heatsink and fan?

I've got an Intel Core i7 980X, and Asus Rampage III motherboard in a Coolermaster HAF X case.

In some videos I've seen the fan is facing the DIMM slots and on others the fan is facing down.

Just to complete my post with another silly question. What is the purpose of the fan on the heatsink? To expel hot air of to suck in cooler air?

Thank you.

UberTiger · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:14

It's to pass cooler air over the fins of the heatsink drawing the heat away.
Usually the fan is on the dimm slot side sucking air from the front of the case pushing it towards the rear where there is often an additional fan mounted just behind the heatsink fan to expel hot air from the case.
That is the normal orientation, although some people may orient it with the fan at the bottom pushing the air through the heatsink towards the top of the case if there's an additional fan in the roof.

setter · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:20

This is the normal orientation for an hsf,

Fan at the front pushes air through the heatsink towards the rear case fan, however if your case has top mounted exhaust fans you can turn the cooler 90 degrees clockwise so that it pushes the hot air out via the top exhaust. In that pic im using a push/pull system, front visible fan pushes air through the heatsink, the slightly visible fan then pulls the air through to the rear case exhaust.

honosuseri · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:20

You got your monster build on the go now then Ian?

To be fair it makes very lil odds. Some people will argue it either way but any advantage is minimal a degree or two maybe.

The fan is to move cold air over the fins of the radiator, cooling them and displacing hot air trapped between. Application of thermal paste is more critical. As long as there is a fan to move air and it's plugged into the mobo cpu fan header the cpu is safe.

Hope this helps

IanB001 · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:32

It appears then I have a choice, although I'm still not sure which is the best option to ensure good air flow.

I'm guessing it would be the standard configuration with the fan facing the DIMMS as pulling the hot air from the graphics cards below and the rising heat from the power supply in the bottom of the case doesn't seem right.

However I do plan on using the cowl that comes with the HAF X with the an additional 120mm fan to draw air over the graphics card (Only one at the moment) to keep the heat down as I've heard that the GTX 480's run a little hot.

Does this seem logical?

Thank you.

setter · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:38

Well, as heat tends to rise, i prefer a direct path approach, front intake fans drawing air in, hot air extracted via the cpu cooler to rear exhaust, hence i avoid side case fans, my current case (Lian Li A70F) has two 140mm front intakes, 2 x 120mm rear exhausts, though one is so high up in the case its virtually useless.

IanB001 · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:44

Sounds good to me.

Time to fit the heatsink and fan. not forgetting the thermal paste of course.

Thank you.

honosuseri · 13 Aug 2010 at 22:45

It depends what heatsink you have in fairness. Wether the fan is mounted ontop of the heatsink or to the side.

Your case will have an intake fan and exhaust so there is a current of air flowing thru the case. I would worry more about getting the system built and posting. You can then check the temps in the bios. If you feel they are too hot you can rethink the layout of the fans.

Like I said any change will be minimal i think you'll find. Good luck with the build

IanB001 · 14 Aug 2010 at 00:16

Thanks Honosuseri

I'm using the Intel Core i7 890X stock cooler at the moment.

Processor, heatsink and fan installed. I was a little annoyed that the hole in the motherboard tray isn't in the right place to allow me to remove the cooler backing plate. I'll have to remove the motherboard if I change my cooling solution.
One stick of ram installed
Power supply installed
Graphics card installed.
SSD boot drive installed.

I'll hook up the power tomorrow to see if it POSTS. If it does I need to head out to obtain some more minor bits and pieces.

If it doesn't I'll be back here

Time for bed now though.

honosuseri · 14 Aug 2010 at 02:18

Well it's now officially my birthday so not sure i'll be on here much....certaintly not in a fit state to answer any tech questions ;p

Slow and steady wins the race. I have plenty of experience but given the spec you are assembling I would take my time. There are lots of bells and whistles (extra temp sensors etc etc) to this board, i imagine it came with a bible rather than a manual ;p

Concentrate on the basics. You can come back and "play" around once you have the system posting. You'll still be playing with the features and trying to get the most from the system for a long while yet.

When the inside is due a spring clean, id remove the mobo and fit a h50 or h70 heatsink perhaps. By then you'll have a greater understanding of the system and can venture into the world of overclocking.

All the best with the build, look forward to seeing some snaps of your handywork!