Has this PSU been fitted wrong?

AnastieByte · Friday at 09:28

Bought a pre built gaming computer from a competitor. I was hearing an odd but intermittent sound coming from the case where a Corsair RM 1000e is fitted into a Corsair Air 5400 case.

On removing the side panel which is vented for the PSU I noticed the PSU appears to have the top vent facing the rear of the motherboard rather than the vent in the side panel. Pictures of the PSU on Corsair website show this is where the top vent is on the PSU.

Doesn’t seem right?

View attachment Pro Forma & 3743526.pdf

https://flic.kr/p/2rS4ThZ

tamzzy · Friday at 09:37

Herp derp. Yeah the PSU fan needs to be facing away from the mobo.

MeatLoaf · Friday at 09:50

Yes it needs turning round

BeeP · Friday at 10:09

Looks very wrong to me, thing is I thought that PSU screw holes were offset to stop this sort of thing happening.

MissChief · Friday at 10:17

BeeP said:
Looks very wrong to me, thing is I thought that PSU screw holes were offset to stop this sort of thing happening.

They usually are.

Alex h · Friday at 10:39

100 percent wrong way round

AnastieByte · Friday at 10:57

I thought so... Thanks all

BeeP · Friday at 12:27

MissChief said:
They usually are.

I looked at the case and the PSU holes make it so the PSU can be mounted either way, I wouldn't know why but surely most if not all PSU's vent out the same way no?

Jokester · Friday at 12:41

Is the case side vented there where the PSU is?

AnastieByte · Friday at 12:45

Jokester said:
Is the case side vented there where the PSU is?

Yes, you can see a bit of the vent mesh showing where i opened the hinged side panel. In my opinion the top of the PSU that is vented, rather than face the motherboard should be facing the case vent.

AnastieByte · 2026-01-18T10:02:53+0000

FYI I've had an interesting reply from the competitor! They say that the PSU placement is fine as its an intake not an exhaust. They are implying it makes no difference despite all of their product photos showing the fan facing the side panel.

IMO it can make a big difference. In this case it is mm from the back plate of the CPU.

So frustrating.

Rob_B · 2026-01-18T10:35:04+0000

Thats...a strange reply.

The fan is intake, the back panel of the PSU is exhaust.
Even if it wasn't, then you'd be exhausting hot air into a small gap immediately into the back of your motherboard (into the case)...