Case cooling...

[DREDD]

I have a 120MM fan mounted on the side pannel of my case. Should that be blowing IN or OUT? in other words should it be drawing ot air or acting as an intake? Also what's a good case for cooling? My case is a bit small now...it was fine when I didn't attach any extra stuff, but now it's a bit cramped. I'm looking for a good case for cooling with some room to work with inside. WHat should I be looking at and what pricerange would we be talking about.

I should tell you that I'm not interested in paying $200 for a case since I have a 431watt PSU already :-)

What i have now is an enlight case with a 80mm fan as intake on front, a exhaust fan 80mm in the back, Thermaltake Volcano7 on the CPU, Enermax Wisper 431Watt PSU (dual fan 1 intake near CPU 1 exhaust out back) 120MM intake side fan.

I have an extra 80MM fan here should i install that as an exhaust fan out the top of the case? What would be the best way to keep my system cooled. It's not hot, but I'm looking for more cooling and if needed a better case perhaps.

[Ladogaboy]

I don't know about the cooling aspect, but I'd say try both and check the temperature difference. What I do normally is to put any fans higher than the half-way point blowing out, and any fans below that point, I set to blow air in.

But for the case, I personally like Enlight. They are cheap, and HUGE on the inside. Very roomy. :)

[DREDD]

my enlight seems a bit small...I'll try the fan both ways and check...do you thnk I should install the 80mm fan in the top of the case as an exhaust fan?

[sho.gun]

Keep in mind that the CFM going in should be equal to CFM going out, otherwise you'll strain your fans, but if you have an open vent, then don't worry about it. Since heat rises, put fans that are on the top blowing out and the ones below sucking in. I have 2 120mm fans on the bottom of my case and they suck a lot of air in, oh and a side note, put filters unless you want your case to be full of dust. I recently made one for myself out of Bounce dryer sheets...

fans turn on, instant air freshener.

[DREDD]

well, after turning the fan around so it's an exhaust my case temp went down 2 degrees but my CPU temp went up a full 5 degrees!!

Should I go with the cooler case or cooler CPU? I'm leaning toward CPU

[xsiled2]

blow the 120 in to the case, if you have room add an exaust fan on the top :D

[DREDD]

i have the room...only problem would be cutting the case since the top is not removable...i'd have to cut from the outside and that means it may get ugly :-)

[xsiled2]

ick i hate cases like that.....