Case Airflow/Pressure

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 02:25 PM

Question, should I go with Positive or Negative Pressure? This is the current setup of my case's airflow:

Dark blue - intake of air by fans
Dark red - exhaust of air by fans
Dark green - fans
Brown - filters (only the one below the PSU is a "case filter", the other filters are Filtrete Air Filters.
Light blue - intake w/o fans
Pink - exhaust w/o fans
Yellow - CPU, CPU cooler and RAM
Black - PSU, ODD, HDD
Teal/light green - GPU

Fan on GPU is a side fan

Is fan placement good? What is the pressure of my current setup, Positive or negative?

Should I make the top fan intake as well?

Loosenut · Apr 28, 2011, 02:29 PM

I always liked positive pressure myself because negative pressure sucks in dust through all the little cracks and openings. i.e.: spaces around the optical drive

EDIT: Looks like you're more neutral than positive or negative. Is that your PSU in the lower left corner? If so, they normally vent out the case, not through the top of the psu

EDIT 2:

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 02:32 PM

Added another question, btw.

Loosenut · Apr 28, 2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

Added another question, btw.

I wouldn't, might screw up the airflow. I would add another on the bottom in the floor of the case

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosenut

I wouldn't, might screw up the airflow. I would add another on the bottom in the floor of the case

I presume that you mean I add an intake fan in the bottom?

EDIT:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosenut

EDIT: Looks like you're more neutral than positive or negative. Is that your PSU in the lower left corner? If so, they normally vent out the case, not through the top of the psu

Essentially the PSU is separate from the case in terms of airflow. It intakes air from outside of the case (the bottom of the case) and exhaust it through the rear of the case. The air it gets does not interact with the air in the case itself.

Loosenut · Apr 28, 2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

I presume that you mean I add an intake fan in the bottom?

Look at my edit, is that a side intake? I thought it was the psu venting upwards. My bad. If yes, you have positive pressure. Pretty much the way I had it years ago before going with water cooling

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

I presume that you mean I add an intake fan in the bottom?

EDIT:

Essentially the PSU is separate from the case in terms of airflow. It intakes air from outside of the case (the bottom of the case) and exhaust it through the rear of the case. The air it gets does not interact with the air in the case itself.

Yes, I agree. Sorry I misunderstood your drawing.

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosenut

Look at my edit, is that a side intake? I thought it was the psu venting upwards. My bad. If yes, you have positive pressure.

Yes, it's a side intake. Limitations of a 2D drawing I guess, changing the direction of the arrows another way might make it show like I'm getting air from the rear.

So I add one more fan at the bottom, and make it intake? Or is the setup right now good already?

Loosenut · Apr 28, 2011, 02:46 PM

I'd say it's good already but adding another fan might cool even better although at the cost of extra noise... I'd stick with what you have, especially if your temps are good already.

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 02:51 PM

Well I won't get another fan for now then, but if I do at least it would help.

TheGrapist · Apr 28, 2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

Well I won't get another fan for now then, but if I do at least it would help.

might as well try another fan at the bottom and see if the noise difference bothers you and if temps are better

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 04:21 PM

Are those good temps already? The MAX values were from the time I was playing FIFA 11. The room is at around 29C.

MT Alex · Apr 28, 2011, 04:26 PM

The only thing that looks a little hot are your HDDs. I've heard people say that anything over 50 is terrible for your drives. Seems like you're pushing it. If you are really worried about flow you could try running your case without the filters. Dustier, but a lot less restriction.

TheGrapist · Apr 28, 2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT Alex

The only thing that looks a little hot are your HDDs. I've heard people say that anything over 50 is terrible for your drives. Seems like you're pushing it. If you are really worried about flow you could try running your case without the filters. Dustier, but a lot less restriction.

good point,and a good way to lower those temps is to keep the drives spread out a bit,not one right under the other

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT Alex

The only thing that looks a little hot are your HDDs. I've heard people say that anything over 50 is terrible for your drives. Seems like you're pushing it. If you are really worried about flow you could try running your case without the filters. Dustier, but a lot less restriction.

LOL I just got the filters yesterday for a reason. I may have sacrificed temps a bit but it looks like the dust getting in is less now. It's a bit of improvisation though; they're Filtrete Aircon filters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrapist

good point,and a good way to lower those temps is to keep the drives spread out a bit,not one right under the other

Can't separate them, the space below them is for hiding wires.

MT Alex · Apr 28, 2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

LOL I just got the filters yesterday for a reason. I may have sacrificed temps a bit but it looks like the dust getting in is less now. It's a bit of improvisation though; they're Filtrete Aircon filters.

I just googled them. They are some nice looking filters, and jeepers, they sure don't give them away cheap.

entropy13 · Apr 28, 2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT Alex

I just googled them. They are some nice looking filters, and jeepers, they sure don't give them away cheap.

A box of Filtrete Filters with one whole sheet 15" x 24" big is cheaper than one "dust filter" from Silverstone. Heck even the "unbranded" fan dust filters are still more expensive than the Filtrete Filters (although obviously cheaper than the one from Silverstone).

EDIT:
One sheet, 15" x 24" big of Filtrete filter: P280, roughly $6.51. I got 4 120mm slots covered and I still have more left to use for an actual aircon.

One 120mm dust filter from Silverstone: P380, around $8.93.

One 120mm "generic" dust filter: P300, around $6.98.

MT Alex · Apr 28, 2011, 05:00 PM

Ah. I was looking at the 3M 4" Filtrete filters, which were around $30 a pop. Your route seems much more affordable, and probably more effective.

entropy13 · Apr 29, 2011, 11:30 AM

My 1TB drive have operating temps of 0C-70C according to the product sheet, while my 500GB drive have operating temps of 0C-60C. My max was 48-49C, so warm but not really "pushing it."

TheGrapist · Apr 29, 2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy13

My 1TB drive have operating temps of 0C-70C according to the product sheet, while my 500GB drive have operating temps of 0C-60C. My max was 48-49C, so warm but not really "pushing it."

my drives run at 29C with about 2 inches of space between each other,you said that space was to hide cables.....put the drives there and see what you get.A higher cfm rated fan may also help with those temps.though if you're comfortable with them,don't bother.

entropy13 · Apr 29, 2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrapist

my drives run at 29C with about 2 inches of space between each other,you said that space was to hide cables.....put the drives there and see what you get.A higher cfm rated fan may also help with those temps.though if you're comfortable with them,don't bother.

Quite comfortable with those temps, considering the past 3 days are record hottest days in the past 5 years.

mastrdrver · May 1, 2011, 10:16 AM

Realize too that unless you have some kind of seal set up between the contact of every surface air is either going in or out of those too. For example the contact between your side panels, drive bays, or other removable panels and the places where they come in contact with the case are either leaking air or sucking it in.

Bundy · May 1, 2011, 10:33 AM

I have found that filters have a big effect. You need much more filtered input to unfiltered output to fully stop dust.

Apr 28, 2011, 02:25 PM	#1
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,424 (2.22/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,132 Times in 713 Posts System Specs	Case Airflow/Pressure Question, should I go with Positive or Negative Pressure? This is the current setup of my case's airflow: Dark blue - intake of air by fans Dark red - exhaust of air by fans Dark green - fans Brown - filters (only the one below the PSU is a "case filter", the other filters are Filtrete Air Filters. Light blue - intake w/o fans Pink - exhaust w/o fans Yellow - CPU, CPU cooler and RAM Black - PSU, ODD, HDD Teal/light green - GPU Fan on GPU is a side fan Is fan placement good? What is the pressure of my current setup, Positive or negative? Should I make the top fan intake as well? __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free Last edited by entropy13; Apr 28, 2011 at 02:32 PM.

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Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit w/ Service Pack 1

Apr 28, 2011, 02:29 PM	#2
Loosenut Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal, Qc. Canada Posts: 717 (0.59/day) Thanks: 319 Thanked 169 Times in 150 Posts System Specs	I always liked positive pressure myself because negative pressure sucks in dust through all the little cracks and openings. i.e.: spaces around the optical drive EDIT: Looks like you're more neutral than positive or negative. Is that your PSU in the lower left corner? If so, they normally vent out the case, not through the top of the psu EDIT 2: Attached Thumbnails __________________ "A closed mouth gathers no foot" -Me My Heat Ebay Last edited by Loosenut; Apr 28, 2011 at 02:38 PM.

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Apr 28, 2011, 02:32 PM	#3
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,424 (2.22/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,132 Times in 713 Posts System Specs	Added another question, btw. __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free

Apr 28, 2011, 02:46 PM	#8
Loosenut Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal, Qc. Canada Posts: 717 (0.59/day) Thanks: 319 Thanked 169 Times in 150 Posts System Specs	I'd say it's good already but adding another fan might cool even better although at the cost of extra noise... I'd stick with what you have, especially if your temps are good already. __________________ "A closed mouth gathers no foot" -Me My Heat Ebay

Apr 28, 2011, 02:51 PM	#9
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,424 (2.22/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,132 Times in 713 Posts System Specs	Well I won't get another fan for now then, but if I do at least it would help. __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free

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Apr 28, 2011, 04:21 PM	#11
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,424 (2.22/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,132 Times in 713 Posts System Specs	Are those good temps already? The MAX values were from the time I was playing FIFA 11. The room is at around 29C. __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free

Apr 28, 2011, 04:26 PM	#12
MT Alex Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 2,022 (1.45/day) Thanks: 2,544 Thanked 1,323 Times in 917 Posts System Specs	The only thing that looks a little hot are your HDDs. I've heard people say that anything over 50 is terrible for your drives. Seems like you're pushing it. If you are really worried about flow you could try running your case without the filters. Dustier, but a lot less restriction. __________________ “growing up, i always wanted to be a vet. til i learned there was more to being a vet than just putting down cats all day.” -digibucc My 700D

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Apr 28, 2011, 05:00 PM	#17
MT Alex Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 2,022 (1.45/day) Thanks: 2,544 Thanked 1,323 Times in 917 Posts System Specs	Ah. I was looking at the 3M 4" Filtrete filters, which were around $30 a pop. Your route seems much more affordable, and probably more effective. __________________ “growing up, i always wanted to be a vet. til i learned there was more to being a vet than just putting down cats all day.” -digibucc My 700D

Apr 29, 2011, 11:30 AM	#18
entropy13 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,424 (2.22/day) Thanks: 42 Thanked 1,132 Times in 713 Posts System Specs	My 1TB drive have operating temps of 0C-70C according to the product sheet, while my 500GB drive have operating temps of 0C-60C. My max was 48-49C, so warm but not really "pushing it." __________________ MSI P67A-GD65 (B3), Intel Core i5 2500K, Corsair H60, 2x MSI GTX 570 Twin Frozr II/OC, G.Skill RipjawsX (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 RAM, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 2TB, Corsair AX1200, Corsair Carbide 400R MSI Z68MA-ED55, i5 2500K, Noctua NH-U9B SE2, Inno3D GTX 570, Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB, OCZ Agility 3 120GB + 1TB, Seasonic X660, Lian Li PC-V600FB The Big Useful List of Free Useful Programs To Use Usually For Free

May 1, 2011, 10:16 AM	#21
mastrdrver Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,346 (1.51/day) Thanks: 498 Thanked 492 Times in 396 Posts System Specs	Realize too that unless you have some kind of seal set up between the contact of every surface air is either going in or out of those too. For example the contact between your side panels, drive bays, or other removable panels and the places where they come in contact with the case are either leaking air or sucking it in. __________________ AV-Test reports (updated Quarterly) Fan sounds, airflow, and voltage/rpm recordings: Martinm210, Cooling Technique, atreviewnet

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May 1, 2011, 10:33 AM	#22
Bundy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Caboolture, Australia Posts: 1,070 (0.53/day) Thanks: 189 Thanked 165 Times in 141 Posts System Specs	I have found that filters have a big effect. You need much more filtered input to unfiltered output to fully stop dust.

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