Question Air cooling

[Reecej1903]

I have a cooler master master box lite 3.1 and I have weak components such as a 1050 but I’m thinking of upgrading so would like to get some airflow. Do I just add 2 intake fans to the front? Do you know if I’d need a splitter for the msi b350m? Also should my psu fan be pointing up into the pc or down so its getting air from outside?

 

[R_1]

I count three fan headers on the board one for CPU and two for case fans.
the PSU should be used as an exhaust fan, ideally air from inside the case will be used to cool the PSU as it exits the system via the PSU fan.

if you need more fan headers you can get a fan hub. examples only shop around, not an endorsement.
https://www.amazon.com/Maxmoral-Coo...b&qid=1560799348&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

[Barty1884]

The front panel is pretty restrictive, so adding fans would help, but probably not to any great degree.

Normally, with a restrictive front panel, you'd want to be exhausting as much hot air as possible (negative pressure), but in the MBLite3.1, they've closed off the top panel too.... so you're very limited.

The PSU should usually be it's own eco-system. Fan facing down, drawing cool air in for itself, and exhausting out the back. In restricted environments (or when directly on carpet), it could be used as another exhaust, drawing air from inside the case, and exhausting it out the back.


Honestly, if you're thinking of upgrading to more powerful components, I'd consider replacing the case too. You could always test as-is, and add a couple of intakes at the front, but I'd be stunned if it made a significant difference.
Considering there are fairly cheap cases with better airflow, that would be a good route to go, IMO.
Something like the MX330 is <$40, and has decent airflow.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/vYp323/cougar-mx330-atx-mid-tower-case-mx330

 

[Reecej1903]

The front panel is pretty restrictive, so adding fans would help, but probably not to any great degree.

Normally, with a restrictive front panel, you'd want to be exhausting as much hot air as possible (negative pressure), but in the MBLite3.1, they've closed off the top panel too.... so you're very limited.

The PSU should usually be it's own eco-system. Fan facing down, drawing cool air in for itself, and exhausting out the back. In restricted environments (or when directly on carpet), it could be used as another exhaust, drawing air from inside the case, and exhausting it out the back.


Honestly, if you're thinking of upgrading to more powerful components, I'd consider replacing the case too. You could always test as-is, and add a couple of intakes at the front, but I'd be stunned if it made a significant difference.
Considering there are fairly cheap cases with better airflow, that would be a good route to go, IMO.
Something like the MX330 is <$40, and has decent airflow.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/vYp323/cougar-mx330-atx-mid-tower-case-mx330

Do you have any recommendations for a matx case? I have a micro atx mobo and feel like there’s too much empty space in a full size atx case