wut does sidefan in computer case do?

[psychomin]

i mean... i just got a newcase.. and it came w/ the sidefan.
just wondering..
is the sidefan supposed to suck the air out of the case...?
or into the case?
i didnt know.. so i just installed the way that it sucks the air into the case...

[Gertrude]

It could be either way. Just think about airflow. You dont want all fans blowing into the case or all fans sukcing air out. Air should be going into the case and going out, so there is a constant flow..


Are there other fans in the case? If so then where are they and what direction are they blowing..

[psychomin]

what would you recommend in this case?

i have a 2 front case fan blowing into the case, yet i do not think those air flows r reaching to my cpu, cuz ide cables r kinda blocking the flow...
i have a fan on the bottom of the powersupply sucking the air out of the case. and i have a one rear case fan.
side fan was originally sucking the air out of the case, but i changed to make suck the air into the case. also sidefan is kinda located top of my cpu... wut would you recommend for me to do?
just leave my sidefan to suck the air in
or switch back to air out?

[dalek]

If you have someway to monitor your CPU tempatures, see which way it runs cooler. That's the purpose of the fans. If it runs cooler blowing the air in then let it blow air in.

According to overclocking sites you want air to go in the bottom on the front and out the top on the back. Heat rises. That also makes the air go across the CPU to keep fresh air going through the case. Here is a link that contains some pdf downloads. This should help you to see the goal.
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_869_4348%5E1065,00.html

The one titled "AMD Thermal, Mechanical, and Chassis Cooling Design Guide" is the best one. You may want to read the others though. They are all good to know.

Hope this helps.

:D :D :D

[jedthehumanoid]

i always assumed that if thier was a fan on the side of the case that it would be meant to blow cool onto the processor. so if i were you, i'd leave it be. anyway, my case has a fan in the front that pulls in and on in as well as one in the back pushing out. i don't think it really matters all that much so long as you follow what gertrude said, and just make sure that the fans don't contradict each other. i.e. make a constant path.


just my 2 cents......

[BaVinic]

My case has 7 fans total ( not counting cpu)

2 in back that blow air out of the case, 1 on top that blows air out (heat rises) 2 in front sucking air in to the case, and the 2 side fans that also suck air in.

This is the best air flow for my case, according to the case Maker.

most cases do not come with them, but I highly recomend that you purchase some fan filters, here in SW Florida, it gets dusty real quick, and they really help and with 4 fans sucking air into the case, that could spell trouble.

Hope this helps.


BaVinic

[dalek]

It keeps your CPU heatsink fins from getting plugged up. I have to use a filter because of a skin condition. Skin flakes get everywhere, TV, VCR, satelite box just plain everywhere. At least I can keep them out of the puter.

I would check the CPU fins once a year or so to be sure they are clean. A lot of air blows over them. I would especially when CPU temps start to rise.

Getting some good reading material here. Hope the original poster is reading????

:D :D :D