Which set up is better in keeping the computer cool? I currently have a 80mm fan in the front sucking air in and 2 rear exhaust fans (1 [side panel] 80mm and 1 120mm plus the two build-in fans for PSU). So basically more air is being push out than pull in. However, when I reverse the side panel fan to suck in, the temp rises. 120mm is weak and has the rear grill blocking the flow. Both 80mm's are loud and strong. Please let me know. Thanks.
ideally you need a kind of balance of in and out. make sure that fans near your processor are blowing outwards as a general rule so your not keepin the warm air in. fans towards the front suck air in and to the back they blow out
Once the room temperature air comes in the case, doesn't it [bold]expand [/bold]since all the components are giving off heat? That might be why you need more fan pushing out.
Balanced-flow is impossible due to the lack of space in the front. Though, I can eliminate some of the exhaust fans but doing so will decrease the rate of air flow. I come to think that more air going out is better because less air will accumulate and cooler than the other way around. What do you guys think?
if you have venting holes in your case then have more fans blowing out but you could still do with a fan blowing cold air into the case
As a general rule cases are usually designed for maximum airflow (unless you really have a crappy case whose manufacturer just sucks). This is why you should not go drilling your own holes into the case, etc. Most case manufacturers advise that that air intake and output are equal. In your case i would say that you should have both your 80mm bringing air in, and the 120mm pushing air out. It's not equal, but if like you say the 80mm are much stronger the bigger 120mm hole will be enough to let that air escape with the 120mm fan blowing out. hope this helps a bit
Just because it's a 120mm fan doesn't mean it is doing it's job. Fans are rated by CFM, so my advice is to find one with the greatest CFM before doing any drilling or modding. Also try changing the rear fan grill if it is too restrictive to a less restrictive one.
