Installing side fan

[Skaladis]

Hi, I have a Thermaltake Armor case, without the side fan. I was planning on installing a 14cm side fan, but then I saw on Newegg that they are selling the side panel with the fan on its own for about $35. The Thermaltake fan is about 25cm diagonally.

Which would be better for cooling my system? Installing a fan myself would be cheaper, more fun, and would allow me to pick out a fan I want, possibly with nifty things like LEDs and the like. On the other hand, buying the side panel is easier, and there's no way I'm going to get a 25cm fan anywhere else, and it might be better for cooling, but I'm not sure.

In general, is there an advantage to a bigger fan size even if it moves less air? If there is, what would be the right balance for a side fan?

 

[TheRapture]

Bigger fans typically move good air,and they can do so at less rpm which is good for low noise, and the cpu heatsink getting a good shot of outside air can drop temps a couple degrees. My Tsunami has a side 80mm at low speed and helps cooling the cpu nicely.

 

[Greg Rosler]

I've got a antec p180 case and I just ordered a spare side panel and a 250cm (8 inch) fan for it.

I'm going to mod the panel and get that fan rocking on it.

The extra airflow should help a ton.

I think your going to see alot of cases with multiple 250cm fans really common soon. With the quad cores (and next year 8 core cpus) the heat is just going to go up.

Happy modding!


Greg