Fan placement

70th · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:14

Hi, I have a Zalman z11 Plus case and I have 7 fans in total, 2 of which I added myself.

Theres 2 on top, 1 front, 1 back, 1 bottom, and 2 sides.

the PSU is drawing in air from the bottom if that makes a difference

Hwo should they be placed with regards to intake and expelling air?

thanks

doyll · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:39

What size fans where? I prefer front & bottom in. Back out and usually leave top to vent itself. If less then 50mm bottom clearance raise it up. Most case feet are too short.

tamzzy · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:40

dont use the side fans if you are gonna have 4 or more fans in the case.

70th · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:45

doyll said:
What size fans where? I prefer front & bottom in. Back out and usually leave top to vent itself. If less then 50mm bottom clearance raise it up. Most case feet are too short.

All fans are 120 except the side 2 which are 90 i think.

tamzzy said:
dont use the side fans if you are gonna have 4 or more fans in the case.

Im not sure they are removable as they look built into the side panels

tamzzy · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:47

dont plug it into the power supply/mobo. sorted. ;p

doyll · 27 Jun 2012 at 17:55

70th said:
Im not sure they are removable as they look built into the side panels

Leave side fans and top fans unplugged for now.

So you have 2x intake fans and 1x exhaust with top and sides as vents. 2x intake means air will be leaking out sides and top as well as being pulled out back... less dust in case.

I'll assume you are using a tower CPU cooler blowing front to back.

Now do you have 2 room thermometers? If so check that they read the same. Use one to know what ambient temp near intakes is and other to monitor top vent temp. Top vent should be 2-3c warmer then intake at front of top vent. Back of top vent and back exhaust fan will be warmer pulling air from CPU cooler.