Fan orientation for push-pull?

T

TechJeff

Limp Gawd
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Mar 25, 2009
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Just wanted to verify and see what the correct orientation for fans are if you want them to:

1. exhaust hot air out of the case

2. blow cool air into the case

3. set up a radiator in push and pull configuration

I assume the part of the fan that is sunken in some, typically with the logo on the front, is the direction it moves air? If so, then to exhaust hot air from the case you would place the fan on the inside of the case with the non logo side facing the rear of the case and air blowing into the case from the logo side?

Just trying to know how to determine fan direction of air flow so I know how to configure for the above. I am using Noiseblocker 120mm case fans.

Thanks for the input

IMG_1031.JPG
 
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Almost all fans out there have the fan bullet on the intake side and the fan spider on the exhaust side.
 
XacTactX said:
The exhaust side is the side that has the spokes which secure the hub to the frame. The fan will blow air through the spokes.

http://www.overclock.net/gallery/data/500/CM_R4-2R_20AC-GP_intake.png

In this picture, the side that is closer to the camera is the intake, the opposite side with the spokes is the exhaust.
Click to expand...

OK, I understand about the side closest to the camera, that would be the logo side as I called it. But you lost me on the whole spoke side because fans like the one in your link can the mounted on either side. Most like the noise blocker come with rubber bushings, 4 screws and 4 washers to secure the fan to the frame of the case. The screws go on the outside of the case in the mounting holes and you can have your fan either with the logo facing inside the case or to the back of the case depending on how you want the air flow. I think this is what you meant with closer to the camera and other side, so I get that part, just didn't follow on the whole spoke thing.
 
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Please forgive my horrible M$ Paint skills though. :)

silent12tclarge.jpg


Also look at this picture from OCN please. http://cdn.overclock.net/9/99/9911feb7_ix6rgy.jpeg

In a push/pull configuration both of the fans blow air in the same direction. It's just that one is pushing air into the heatsink, and the other is pulling air out of the heatsink.

Here's the best picture ever. Please notice that both of the fans are blowing air in the same direction. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51d2LSQQJHL._SS400_.jpg
 
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XacTactX said:
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Please forgive my horrible M$ Paint skills though. :)

silent12tclarge.jpg


Also look at this picture from OCN please. http://cdn.overclock.net/9/99/9911feb7_ix6rgy.jpeg

In a push/pull configuration both of the fans blow air in the same direction. It's just that one is pushing air into the heatsink, and the other is pulling air out of the heatsink.

Here's the best picture ever. Please notice that both of the fans are blowing air in the same direction. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51d2LSQQJHL._SS400_.jpg
Click to expand...

Got it, thanks, those helped out a lot. As you say, pictures are really worth a thousand words. :D

Does it matter when doing push/pull if the push fan is on the outside of the case and pull on the inside or vice versa? Didn't think it really mattered so long as they are like in the picture in the links.
 
I can't believe that outta 3 detailed replies, nobody decided to mention to the OP there is a nice little arrow on the side of every fan showing airflow direction and which way the fan rotates:confused::p
 
I have a feeling that it would be negligible if it made any difference but I've never seen any tests on that. You could gather some data... :)

TechJeff said:
Does it matter when doing push/pull if the push fan is on the outside of the case and pull on the inside or vice versa? Didn't think it really mattered so long as they are like in the picture in the links.
Click to expand...
 
ccityinstaller said:
I can't believe that outta 3 detailed replies, nobody decided to mention to the OP there is a nice little arrow on the side of every fan showing airflow direction and which way the fan rotates:confused::p
Click to expand...
Exactly.
TechJeff said:
Does it matter when doing push/pull if the push fan is on the outside of the case and pull on the inside or vice versa? Didn't think it really mattered so long as they are like in the picture in the links.
Click to expand...
Beyond what aesthetically looks good, it doesn't matter as long as you have a good seal. To get the most out of a push/pull configuration, you want to make sure both fans are "sealed" against the radiator shroud so that there are no air leaks between the fan frame and radiator shroud. That said, push/pull configurations are largely redundant and really only add noise to a setup unless you have a very dense fin array.
 
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