Which way to mount fan?

[FurBurglar]

Which is actually the best configuration for your CPU fan? Blowing air away, pulling air off the heatsink, or blowing air in, forcing cool air into the heatsink? I have seen both ways, I was just wondering what the general opinion here is. Thanks!

 

[DieLate]

Down.

 

[lagmaster]

Yes, the best way to mount it is so that there is air being blown on to the heatsink, not from the case up through to the heatsink, because there will be limited airflow due to the base of the heatsink, whereas if it is blowing air onto it, it will blow air right down to the base in it will give better performance.

 

[darknite]

Yes, the best way to mount it is so that there is air being blown on to the heatsink, not from the case up through to the heatsink, because there will be limited airflow due to the base of the heatsink, whereas if it is blowing air onto it, it will blow air right down to the base in it will give better performance.

ya..what he said

 

[wwparrish]

Per the manufacturers installation instructions.


If that basic information is not included in the instructions then I would rethink my heatsink choice.

 

[darknite]

oops..double post...how do i delete this thing

 

[starfury6]

There are exceptions to the rule though. Thermalright do say that the XP120 has less than 1C variance when the fan is mounted sucking or blowing at the heatsink. I have tried it both ways and it was 2C hotter with it in suck mode but the motherboard temp dropped by about 4C!

I'll stick with the cooler CPU though.