Side panel computer case fans?

Question

I am building a system with a computer case that has a Side Air duct for a fan on the side panel.

I usually do 1 fan blowing cool air from the front, and 2 fans blowing out the back (1 regular and 1 pci blower for the video card).
Since this case has a side fan air duct - should I use it? If so, blowing in or out.
I have heard many people blow air in onto the cpu- but wont this disrupt the air flow since the cpu is blowing out?
If I did use it, how many other fans would you use (don't want too many for noise reduction)?
The case I purchased is here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811180031
Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, the front fan should be an intake. The 2 fans at the back should definitely exhaust.

The side fan should, in my opinion, suck air out. By the way cpu fans almost always blow air down towards the motherboard.

You can always purchased a simple fan controller which fits in a front bay so that you can control noise. There are also handy fan plugs that have a resistor attached to them which drops the voltage to the fan to 10V from 12V. They are quite inexpensive and require less work than installing a fan controller.

Answer 2

Medic391--your theory is WRONG! The side case is a COLD air source to pull it in and blow it in the case--specifically at the vid card and cpu area. The fans that blow OUT are at the back and top, also the psu. There ia most always a lack of inlet area when fans are installed, so you need the fan to blow IN! Vid cards are notorious for blowing most of the heat into the case, and there needs to be additional cold air blown in. This will also help the exhaust fans to work better, because the chronic lack of inlet area in most all cases, makes the fans work hard to SUCK air in thru all the cracks, like your DVD slot, etc! Ideally, you want a POSITIVE air pressure inside the case, so the heat will use every means to escape, and the exhaust fans can do what they are menat to do--EXHAUST hot air. If there is a negative pressure in the case, even your psu will suffer with reverse airflow over the slower fans, and may get hot--also adding to the heat inside the case. Don't be fooled. ALWAYS force more cool air INTO the case; the exhausts work better with pressure helping rather than suction hurting them.

Answer 3

I have 3 power supplies and 12 fans in one of my ordinary towers-
4- 5 1/4 bays, 2 floppy bays ATX. Standard stuff.
Just have as much air comming in as going out, and a vent
( usually a pattern of holes somewhere like one side or back ) to
cover any overflow.
The CPU fan should blow from the top of the heatsink DOWN
over the heatsink and CPU , not UP --- blowing air
travels a long way, a vaccuum has extremely short range,
so that sucking UP air from the CPU will only cool the top of
the heatsink, and your CPU will overheat. !

Getting fresh outside air and ramming it over your CPU is a great
idea - could save your machine on a hotter day.

Answer 4

I think just using the two fans you have and the way your are currently using them should be sufficent.

Ive seen those cases with the side vent and really all they are good for is air flow and not from a fan either, you keep adding fans to your system your gonna overload your power supply, or use more energy then you need to, resulting in high electric bills.

Stick with what works. If its not broken or your system isn't overheating don't bother with another fan.

Answer 5

I would chose for the fan to blow out because I tried both ways on my computer and the fan is not helping at all if it is blowing in.

Answer 6

the theory behind the fan on the case door is to suck hot air out away from the video card to keep it cool

Answer 7

you use the side fan to pull air out away from the cpu

Answer 8

Use it no harm will be done.
Adnan Sallam
Napa,California