PSU and case cooling

masscrazy · 22 Jan 2011 at 16:29

So i've heard two arguments regarding the placement of the PSU.

Fan facing downward so it gets cool air from outside the case (if you have a vent at the bottom of the case ofcourse)
Fan facing upward so the PSU sucks hot air from the case and blows it out.

Which is true?

I'm considering a Define XL, anyone know the best way to set up the cooling?

chipps101 · 22 Jan 2011 at 16:37

i always mount them fan down as there is less chance of anything dropping into it

LiamJ · 22 Jan 2011 at 16:49

Both are true. The first option is better for airflow in the case, as sucking air downwards pulls air to the area below the GPU, instead of being pulled over the GPU and through the CPU cooler.

chipps101 · 22 Jan 2011 at 16:55

i think he means both options when the psu is mounted at the bottom of the case. some cases let you mount it either way up at the bottom.

LiamJ · 22 Jan 2011 at 17:00

People on this forum need better grammar. :rolleyes:

Almost all cases with a bottom mounted PSU allow you to mount it either way up. Both the arguments he gave are true, but the first scenario is best, because it keeps better airflow in the case.

masscrazy · 23 Jan 2011 at 03:47

LiamJ said:
People on this forum need better grammar.

Who is you referring to?

LiamJ said:
Almost all cases with a bottom mounted PSU allow you to mount it either way up. Both the arguments he gave are true, but the first scenario is best, because it keeps better airflow in the case.

Yes meant when the PSU is mounted at the bottom which way round is best.

So the Define XL is BIG and so when tested by several people like bit-tech, they found the case isn't very good at cooling, why since they used the stock cooling, i.e only 1 fan at the very front bringing in air.

If i buy a decent number of fans say another 2 to make it total of 3 blowing air in, would that be good enough? They also say the 180MM fan at an angle on the roof of the case does a very bad job as an exhaust surely this is as not much air is being brought into the case for it to blow any out, right?

Anyways to go for the define xl or not?

Dave0w · 23 Jan 2011 at 05:33

hot air go's up, so in my eyes if the fan is facing up it would help heat up your case? by removing the low laying cold air?

I have my PSU fan facing down as instructed by the case maker.

stulid · 23 Jan 2011 at 06:21

depends on the case, a lot of Antecs say to have the fan facing up.

masscrazy · 23 Jan 2011 at 16:20

stulid said:
depends on the case, a lot of Antecs say to have the fan facing up.

Yeah cos there are no vents at the bottom of the case, at least there weren't like in the antec 900 i have.