Case cooling fan

I ordered a new psu (corsair TX650) and video card (xfx radeon 6870), and newegg decided to send me a free 80mm case fan. I've installed all the components BUT the case fan, and everything is running pretty smoothly. My gpu temps are a bit high for my liking, with 45C idle and 90C max (furmark), so I've decided to put the case fan is - not sure where, though.

Right now, there are no dedicated case fans - just a pretty big cpu heatsink fan (avg. 1200 RPM) intaking air from the side, the gpu fans, and the psu 120mm fan (which pulls air up out of the case, through the psu, and out the back).

For what I've read, the best place for the new fan is rear exhaust. Problem is, this would put it right below the psu fan (which pulls air up and out the back of the case). I'm concerned that placing an exhaust fan right below the psu will hinder its ability to draw air up and out...

So - should I make it a rear exhaust, or a side intake?

i'd say it's probably best to have an exhaust before an intake. Also, those temps are reaaaally high, I would be careful with playing games.. 90c is not healthy for the GPU. Even with an exhaust/intake fan, the temps would only decrease a bit. It's best to invest in a new case.

i'd say it's probably best to have an exhaust before an intake. Also, those temps are reaaaally high, I would be careful with playing games.. 90c is not healthy for the GPU. Even with an exhaust/intake fan, the temps would only decrease a bit. It's best to invest in a new case.

mr_zombie60

90C would be uncomfortably high for a CPU, but it's an OK temperature for a GPU. Many of those videocards with blower-style heatsinks would routinely hit 90C when under load without any issues.

And I agree with you in regards to the fan orientation; I think the TC would be better off using that fan as an exhaust as opposed to an intake.

@TC:

If that rear fan port has mounting holes for a 120MM fan, I highly suggest you use a 120MM instead, as it'll output a much higher volume of air while remaining at a comparable sound level. If you'd like a cheap 120MM fan, Jab-Tech sells Yate Loon 120MM fans for cheap, especially if you buy in bulk (be sure to pick the cheapest shipping option if you do order from there, as they have the habit of picking a more expensive option). If you have other empty fan ports in your case, it wouldn't hurt to install fans on those as well.

I ordered a new psu (corsair TX650) and video card (xfx radeon 6870), and newegg decided to send me a free 80mm case fan. I've installed all the components BUT the case fan, and everything is running pretty smoothly. My gpu temps are a bit high for my liking, with 45C idle and 90C max (furmark), so I've decided to put the case fan is - not sure where, though.

Right now, there are no dedicated case fans - just a pretty big cpu heatsink fan (avg. 1200 RPM) intaking air from the side, the gpu fans, and the psu 120mm fan (which pulls air up out of the case, through the psu, and out the back).

For what I've read, the best place for the new fan is rear exhaust. Problem is, this would put it right below the psu fan (which pulls air up and out the back of the case). I'm concerned that placing an exhaust fan right below the psu will hinder its ability to draw air up and out...

So - should I make it a rear exhaust, or a side intake?

PS1080

This is an OEM gateway dx4820 case...which is why the cooling in it isn't ideal. I'll be upgrading the case next year sometime after school's out, but until then, I want to make sure I don't damage any of my new components with excess heat.

[QUOTE="mr_zombie60"]

i'd say it's probably best to have an exhaust before an intake. Also, those temps are reaaaally high, I would be careful with playing games.. 90c is not healthy for the GPU. Even with an exhaust/intake fan, the temps would only decrease a bit. It's best to invest in a new case.

GS550L

90C would be uncomfortably high for a CPU, but it's an OK temperature for a GPU. Many of those videocards with blower-style heatsinks would routinely hit 90C when under load without any issues.

And I agree with you in regards to the fan orientation; I think the TC would be better off using that fan as an exhaust as opposed to an intake.

@TC:

If that rear fan port has mounting holes for a 120MM fan, I highly suggest you use a 120MM instead, as it'll output a much higher volume of air while remaining at a comparable sound level. If you'd like a cheap 120MM fan, Jab-Tech sells Yate Loon 120MM fans for cheap, especially if you buy in bulk (be sure to pick the cheapest shipping option if you do order from there, as they have the habit of picking a more expensive option). If you have other empty fan ports in your case, it wouldn't hurt to install fans on those as well.

It's only got mounting holes for an 80mm or a 92mm, unfortunately. The 80mm fan newegg sent me is 40 CFM. ANd noise isn't really an issue, I have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for gaming, and I can't even hear the gpu fans at 75%

The only thing I was concerned about is the proximity to the psu fan...I've read that placing an exhaust close to the psu intake can cause psu fan failure/overheating. Although, I'm not sure how valid this concern is...

Thanks for the advice, though.

[QUOTE="GS550L"]

[QUOTE="mr_zombie60"]

i'd say it's probably best to have an exhaust before an intake. Also, those temps are reaaaally high, I would be careful with playing games.. 90c is not healthy for the GPU. Even with an exhaust/intake fan, the temps would only decrease a bit. It's best to invest in a new case.

PS1080

90C would be uncomfortably high for a CPU, but it's an OK temperature for a GPU. Many of those videocards with blower-style heatsinks would routinely hit 90C when under load without any issues.

And I agree with you in regards to the fan orientation; I think the TC would be better off using that fan as an exhaust as opposed to an intake.

@TC:

If that rear fan port has mounting holes for a 120MM fan, I highly suggest you use a 120MM instead, as it'll output a much higher volume of air while remaining at a comparable sound level. If you'd like a cheap 120MM fan, Jab-Tech sells Yate Loon 120MM fans for cheap, especially if you buy in bulk (be sure to pick the cheapest shipping option if you do order from there, as they have the habit of picking a more expensive option). If you have other empty fan ports in your case, it wouldn't hurt to install fans on those as well.

It's only got mounting holes for an 80mm or a 92mm, unfortunately. The 80mm fan newegg sent me is 40 CFM. ANd noise isn't really an issue, I have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for gaming, and I can't even hear the gpu fans at 75%

The only thing I was concerned about is the proximity to the psu fan...I've read that placing an exhaust close to the psu intake can cause psu fan failure/overheating. Although, I'm not sure how valid this concern is...

Thanks for the advice, though.

[QUOTE="PS1080"]

[QUOTE="GS550L"]

90C would be uncomfortably high for a CPU, but it's an OK temperature for a GPU. Many of those videocards with blower-style heatsinks would routinely hit 90C when under load without any issues.

And I agree with you in regards to the fan orientation; I think the TC would be better off using that fan as an exhaust as opposed to an intake.

@TC:

If that rear fan port has mounting holes for a 120MM fan, I highly suggest you use a 120MM instead, as it'll output a much higher volume of air while remaining at a comparable sound level. If you'd like a cheap 120MM fan, Jab-Tech sells Yate Loon 120MM fans for cheap, especially if you buy in bulk (be sure to pick the cheapest shipping option if you do order from there, as they have the habit of picking a more expensive option). If you have other empty fan ports in your case, it wouldn't hurt to install fans on those as well.

evildead6789

It's only got mounting holes for an 80mm or a 92mm, unfortunately. The 80mm fan newegg sent me is 40 CFM. ANd noise isn't really an issue, I have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for gaming, and I can't even hear the gpu fans at 75%

The only thing I was concerned about is the proximity to the psu fan...I've read that placing an exhaust close to the psu intake can cause psu fan failure/overheating. Although, I'm not sure how valid this concern is...

Thanks for the advice, though.

He said it was oem so that means his motherboard is probably OEM as well. That would most likely just lead to several complications with a new case.

The issue right now isn't money, it's time - I'm not gonna have any time to tinker with my PC much, esp. if I'm going to switch out mobos.

I'll try out the rear exhaust fan, see if it helps at all.

Thanks for all the input.

The issue right now isn't money, it's time - I'm not gonna have any time to tinker with my PC much, esp. if I'm going to switch out mobos.

I'll try out the rear exhaust fan, see if it helps at all.

Thanks for all the input.

PS1080

I cannot see how one doesn't have a singular hour to contribute to a worthy upgrade, but anyways, hope it works out for ya!