Antec 1200 Airflow Questions

R

RAD

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
489
Hi Guys,
I am just trying to expand my knowledge base before I build my computer (late May). I am going to use an Antec 1200 case, but I have a few questions.
Please see the following weaksauce hand made airflow map for reference (revised after DalceMan's input):
airflown.jpg


Q 1) There is supposed to be 1 more optional mounting point for another 120 mm fan. Where is it? Is it actually inside the case rather than mounted to an external hole? Flipping through the pictures and description provided on Newegg that is my suspicion but I wanted to confirm it.

Q 2) This case uses a bottom mounted PSU configuration. Presuming this PSU: Should the PSU be mounted "upside down" so that it's fan is pointing up into the case or "rightside up" so that the fan is pointing down into the bottom of the case? Some concerns both ways: If mounted upside down this could expose the PSU to having screws/debris/dust/etc drop into the fan. If mounted right side up then the PSU might have it's airflow overly restricted.

Q3) In regards to the optional side fan, should that be mounted as an intake fan or an exhaust fan? What are the pros/cons of each configuration in regards to airflow concerns?
 
1... I believe it's the same as the 900 as there is an optional housing that fits the back of one of the drive cages to mount an additional 120mm fan.

2... a lot of people have cut a hole in the bottom of their case and mounted fan down to draw air up and through the PSU. Strictly from an appearance stand point, I would do the same if my PSU had such a fan. I don't think there is a huge advantage to have the PSU mounted one way over the other. As for screws and such falling in... I generally have my case laying on it's side when I'm removing parts, so the screws fall on the motherboard or mobo tray.

3... I have seen impromptu tests that showed no fan, intake fan, exhaust fan and the temps were within a couple of degrees, with the fan as intake showing the lowest CPU temps in general.
 
Hi Dalceman!
Thank you very much for the informative answers! I have revised the diagram based on your input. I hate to be a case modding noob, but I have to ask. What tool do you recommend to make the hole in the bottom of the case? I do have access to a full ranch metalworking shop, I just have never done something like this before.

EDIT: Of course I am a noob so I didn't thouroughly read the FAQ before I asked. Now that I have, I assume a good old dremel would do the job fine?
 
RAD said:
What tool do you recommend to make the hole in the bottom of the case?
Click to expand...
Holesaws are always the easiest way to cut a hole for a fan. You can make do with a dremel, but you won't get as clean a cut and it'll take you a lot longer.
 
Just wanted to chime in...I've owned an antec 1200 for about a month now. Your diagram at the top is just about right. to answer your questions the best as I can,

1). there is two optional fans that are not included, the 120mm fan on the window of the side panel, and another that fits on one of the 3 removable hard drive racks. (each of the racks holds 3 hard drives.) The fan will only fit on a rack with out hard drives installed.

2) I have a corsair 620HX in mine. And yes, it is upside down. I too was worried about screws falling in there, especially while building the rig, so I actually taped some paper to prevent loosing a screw in the psu. (i'm sure that's one of the last places you would want a screw floating around. lol)... The only issue that I have between my psu and the case is that my power cables were not long enough to route behind the motherboard. I'm not sure exactly how long the power cables are on the similar model you are looking at, but I'd recommend getting some extension cables for the 8-pin and 24pin cables; I know i am going to do so, soon. (actually the 8 pin is not too bad, I have it running up along the back, fits in the little gap behind the graphics card [just to the left of the pci-e slot, up next to the i/o shield, and plugs in neatly at the top.

3) the side panel fan is designed to be an intake, blowing cool air onto the gpu. it also has the same removable washable filter that is found on the three hd cages.

I love this case. its big, heavy and cool. the airflow on it is amazing. my temps literally dropped about 12 C from my cooler master centurion 5 case.
 
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