Deneb
12-05-2010, 09:35 AM
The most important fan in a computer is the exhaust fan. Ideally this will be mounted in the top back of the case with the PSU mounted in the bottom back of the case. Generally a negative pressure system is best. That is a situation where more air is leaving the case than is coming in. One intake fan and one exhaust fan is good. Exhaust fans on the top back of the case are called blow hole fans. One or two of these can help cooling. Side fans generally are a waste.
Larger fans move more air and to run quieter. 140 mm fans are ideal and 120 mm fans are very acceptable. Pretty much anything smaller won’t move much air and will make too much noise.
Be able to adjust the fan speed would be great. For people with a case sitting on a desk, the front intake fan can sound a bit noisy. This would be one where would be nice to turn the speed down a bit. This can be accomplished with the Zalman fan mate 2 fan controller listed below:
ZALMAN FAN MATE 2 Fan Controller $9.00?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118217&cm_re=ZALMAN_FAN_MATE_2-_-35-118-217-_-Product
When it comes to case size pretty much taller and deeper is better. If you have a large case with really big fans you can crank the speed down and make the case almost silent and still have good cooling. The more air a case has to suck in to keep the components cool, the more dust get sucked in. A dusty case will tend to run hot and will have to be blown out more often. Anything that obstructs airflow like a filter will also tend to make a case run hot. Mounting a case inside a cabinet or onto any kind of desk where the case is surrounded by wood or plastic will tend to impede airflow and make the case run hot. Piling paperwork on top of the case will tend to make it run a little hotter. If the case has to be mounted in a cabinet a minimum distance of say 3 inches should be provided on sides were there is no fan and 5 inches where there is a fan.
Case Selection and Cooling
http://www.xoxide.com/computer-cooling.html
below is a really good article on fan orientation.
PC airflow and heat – a cooling guide
http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/pc_airflow_heat_cooling_guide
Larger fans move more air and to run quieter. 140 mm fans are ideal and 120 mm fans are very acceptable. Pretty much anything smaller won’t move much air and will make too much noise.
Be able to adjust the fan speed would be great. For people with a case sitting on a desk, the front intake fan can sound a bit noisy. This would be one where would be nice to turn the speed down a bit. This can be accomplished with the Zalman fan mate 2 fan controller listed below:
ZALMAN FAN MATE 2 Fan Controller $9.00?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118217&cm_re=ZALMAN_FAN_MATE_2-_-35-118-217-_-Product
When it comes to case size pretty much taller and deeper is better. If you have a large case with really big fans you can crank the speed down and make the case almost silent and still have good cooling. The more air a case has to suck in to keep the components cool, the more dust get sucked in. A dusty case will tend to run hot and will have to be blown out more often. Anything that obstructs airflow like a filter will also tend to make a case run hot. Mounting a case inside a cabinet or onto any kind of desk where the case is surrounded by wood or plastic will tend to impede airflow and make the case run hot. Piling paperwork on top of the case will tend to make it run a little hotter. If the case has to be mounted in a cabinet a minimum distance of say 3 inches should be provided on sides were there is no fan and 5 inches where there is a fan.
Case Selection and Cooling
http://www.xoxide.com/computer-cooling.html
below is a really good article on fan orientation.
PC airflow and heat – a cooling guide
http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/pc_airflow_heat_cooling_guide