PSU placement query

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:36

Hi guys

Random PSU query, just noticed it on a lot of cases on here. Some people have the PSU at the bottom position with fan facing downwards and some have it facing upwards.

My case is in my sig and it does have clearance underneath so putting PSU fan facing downwards, jsut wondering why some people prefer to have PSU facing down rather then up and if this makes any difference?

RJC · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:42

Some case have a air vent which allow the PSU to draw cool air in, looking at your case you have a vent.

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:48

I thought as much, 2 things their, is their any real benefit to this as their is no vent on both top and botton of PSU, so aren't just pulling in cool from outside into PSU then out back of case?

Also iy case is positioned on a carpet on floor so would this cause a much greater build up of dust?

RJC · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:51

Most will have some sort of filter to help majority of the dust, the PSU will use its own fan to draw cool air in and discharge out of the back of PSU, this will help to keep the PSU cool as it wont be drawing warm air from the case.

Blue160 · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:51

Fan down: PSU draws it's own cool air from under the case, and vents it from the back.

Fan up: PSU draws warm air from inside the case and vents at the back.

Fan down is usually best as it isolates the PSU's airflow from the rest of your components. Fan up can help if you have poor airflow and want more air exhausted from your case.

setter · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:53

On my case there are grooves/vents cut in the bottom, also the psu sits on rails that lift it an inch or so off the floor.

Regarding the carpet and dust, id suggest placing something like an off cut of vinyl flooring below the vents on the case. This will help to cut down on dust intake from the carpet.

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 12:57

Thanks guys

I think I understand better now, so u think its best to have PSU facing downwards for overall cooling.

I have quite good air cooling anyway as have a Xigmatek Orange Line 120 side mounted to draw heat away from GPU and 2 Sharkoon Silent Eagles blowing out the top of case as well as all fans that came with case ingoing strong.

setter · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:02

With the fan downwards it also helps a bit with cable tidying, as the 24 pin atx cable is kept further inside the case. One other concern ive heard with the fan facing up, is that screws may get dropped into the psu when swapping out components. With the fan down your not gonna be drawing warm air through the psu.

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:02

Thanks Setter I really like that fan you having hanging down after your hdd's, my case has the option to mount an additional fan onto the hdd cage in that same position you have yours. Have you noticed a lot of benefit from having that fan their?

setter · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:07

Yep, that was a bit of a ghetto mod i done to help cool my gpu's. Knocked a few degrees of them, though ive since replaced it with an antec spot cool fan, much neater looking.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-AN

Spotcool in situ.

stulid · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:21

In the box of parts you will have a extra fan filter, place it over the holes in the bottom and mount the psu facing downwards.

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:55

Good idea Stulid only issue being I used that mesh for the side mount fan lol

RJC · 25 Apr 2011 at 13:58

a giant fox said:
Good idea Stulid only issue being I used that mesh for the side mount fan lol

Old pair of tights! (not yours I assume)

Some filters below:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=57&subid=795

a giant fox · 25 Apr 2011 at 14:17

Thanks RJC

What size would I nned for a PSU size?

I mean the filters link not the tights lmao