Side Fan Or No Side Fan???

minimadmotorman · 20 Sep 2011 at 21:20

Got a couple of Sharkoon Silent Eagle 1000's in the front of my Antec 300 and the original 120mm & 140mm Antec tri-cool's in the back set on low.

Side slot is blocked off with a bit or cardboard.

Has anyone done any testing whether having a side fan is beneficial or not?

I've got a £1.99 this week only cooler master on order for testing.

Also could anyone advice what software I can use to log temps for testing?

RiseAgainst · 20 Sep 2011 at 22:24

Well In my rig i like to use low rpm fans to keep the noise down. These low rpm fans make a difference to the temps so they are good. But if you have weak side fans and a powerful rear exhaust , had this set up at first, then i found my chipset ran a good 3-4 degrees hotter than without the rear fan and as my cpu cooler id exhausted our the roof i simply removed it.

I use HWmonitor seems to work rather well

Azarathal · 21 Sep 2011 at 10:26

My side fan is stupidly loud, I hadn't noticed it until I blocked it.

Going to move it to the rear as an exhaust and plug that panel.

varkanoid · 21 Sep 2011 at 12:50

side panel fans are good for flowing air onto the GPU. If its too noisy either buy a quieter fan or get this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-000-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

Also depends on orientation of your case. ie if its on your desk in a tower to the right of you then its going to be more noticeable.

!TIMMY! · 21 Sep 2011 at 21:06

I also use the side fan to give cooler air to the GPU, or it will get the already heater up air from inside the system.

j.col · 21 Sep 2011 at 21:10

i have a 200mm side fan blowing onto my gpu (case is a nzxt hades)
i have noticed a rise in my gpu temps when i removed it, i never really benchmarked it, but from memory it was about 5.C

Limpnoodle · 21 Sep 2011 at 22:29

you need more air blowing into the case than going out that way it makes a pressure and gets rid of most of the dust.

kevbiss1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 23:18

+1, i got one in my 300,temps are well good

minimadmotorman · 22 Sep 2011 at 08:43

I thought that positive pressure could cause hot spots?

jas72 · 22 Sep 2011 at 09:34

better than a dusty case....