Can I use my PSU as an exhaust?

[ahnafspyro]

So as you can see from the pictures of my computer

1:https://gyazo.com/7467b33cf4b38063d2c874bdc3d0f0df
2:https://gyazo.com/265fd2f1211b7b37a4c0ebb6a5526024

I have no space for good cooling, I was wondering since I have heating problems for my GPU if I change the bottom fan to an intake so it brings cool air from the outside and brings it in and replace the PSU to another psu i already have (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/evga-400w-power-supply-black/5597204.p?skuId=5597204&ref=212&loc=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgsC0-teI3AIV3oSzCh3htAgYEAQYAiABEgKoDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) will that act like an exhaust?

 

[Barty1884]

It will act like an exhaust, yes.

Whether it's a good idea or not, is debatable.

You're looking at increasing the temperature of the PSU, for sure..... Generally speaking, not to the point of making any real difference to it's ability/performance.

That being said, the 400W from EVGA is very much a budget unit, built down to the pricepoint.
It's only spec'd for 25'C and, while can do more..... I wouldn't suggest operating it with the outright intent of heating it up over spec.
https://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&file=print&reid=436

 

[photonboy]

Rather hard to say without knowing the OTHER components however if they aren't terribly high Wattage then it's probably fine.

In general you want at least one fan as intake and one fan as exhaust.

I can't really see all the details of your setup though.

*WHY is there no ability to have a bottom-front fan as INTAKE?

It really should be:
1) bottom-front as INTAKE, and
2) top-rear as EXHAUST, and
3) PSU as EXHAUST

With some cases the PSU may have the exhaust and intake exposed to the outside air so there's no effect on the case... with the PSU on the BOTTOM of the case it usually doesn't matter if the intake is inside since hot air rises so it shouldn't take in too much air.

So the main issue appears to be you need a front INTAKE fan... you don't want the top-rear as intake then try to exhaust out the bottom.

 

[ahnafspyro]

Rather hard to say without knowing the OTHER components however if they aren't terribly high Wattage then it's probably fine.

In general you want at least one fan as intake and one fan as exhaust.

I can't really see all the details of your setup though.

*WHY is there no ability to have a bottom-front fan as INTAKE?

It really should be:
1) bottom-front as INTAKE, and
2) top-rear as EXHAUST, and
3) PSU as EXHAUST

I only have 1 case fan

 

[photonboy]

Rather hard to say without knowing the OTHER components however if they aren't terribly high Wattage then it's probably fine.

In general you want at least one fan as intake and one fan as exhaust.

I can't really see all the details of your setup though.

*WHY is there no ability to have a bottom-front fan as INTAKE?

It really should be:
1) bottom-front as INTAKE, and
2) top-rear as EXHAUST, and
3) PSU as EXHAUST

I only have 1 case fan

So the problem is the case has no support or you can't afford another case fan?

The solution again (since I updated) is NOT to have intake at the top and exhaust at the bottom since that fights how air rises and since you have overheating issues it's really just best to buy ANY half decent fan that you can add to the front as intake.

 

[ahnafspyro]

Rather hard to say without knowing the OTHER components however if they aren't terribly high Wattage then it's probably fine.

In general you want at least one fan as intake and one fan as exhaust.

I can't really see all the details of your setup though.

*WHY is there no ability to have a bottom-front fan as INTAKE?

It really should be:
1) bottom-front as INTAKE, and
2) top-rear as EXHAUST, and
3) PSU as EXHAUST

I only have 1 case fan

So the problem is the case has no support or you can't afford another case fan?

I have like 3 extra case fans its just because my case dose not support it :/

 

[ahnafspyro]

Rather hard to say without knowing the OTHER components however if they aren't terribly high Wattage then it's probably fine.

In general you want at least one fan as intake and one fan as exhaust.

I can't really see all the details of your setup though.

*WHY is there no ability to have a bottom-front fan as INTAKE?

It really should be:
1) bottom-front as INTAKE, and
2) top-rear as EXHAUST, and
3) PSU as EXHAUST

I only have 1 case fan

So the problem is the case has no support or you can't afford another case fan?

The solution again (since I updated) is NOT to have intake at the top and exhaust at the bottom since that fights how air rises and since you have overheating issues it's really just best to buy ANY half decent fan that you can add to the front as intake.

This is my pc: http://www.microcenter.com/product/503298/Pavilion_580-137c_Desktop_Computer_Refurbished
there is literally no other place to put the fan, only space for 1 case fan :/

 

[mortemas]

If there is a grill on the side cover you can put a fan there with rubber mounts or even zip ties. Just don't forget to unplug it before you pull the cover away when servicing the unit.

 

[ahnafspyro]

If there is a grill on the side cover you can put a fan there with rubber mounts or even zip ties. Just don't forget to unplug it before you pull the cover away when servicing the unit.

ahhh okay, what if there is no more sys_fan on my mobo, and one last thing should I make that fan a intake or exhaust ?

 

[Barty1884]

You would probably be better off investing in even a budget $20 case and transplanting everything over to it than trying to address airflow in an OEM HP unit.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zmqbt6/diypc-case-zonddab

 

[ahnafspyro]

You would probably be better off investing in even a budget $20 case and transplanting everything over to it than trying to address airflow in an OEM HP unit.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zmqbt6/diypc-case-zonddab

Alright, I found out that i can get a splitter for my case fan, should that fan on my side panel be a intake or a exhaust (the fan is going to be right in front of the cpu fan)

 

[electro_neanderthal]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

Edit: I forgot to say this earlier, those prebuilt PCs use the PSU as an exhaust port intentionally to begin with.

BIGGER EDIT: I didn't realize that case had vents in the side panel already. You could just try and zip-tie a fan onto it in a pull orientation... which I think someone else already suggested?

 

[ahnafspyro]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

so the side panel case fan should be a intake? So my only exhaust is going to be my psu, since my other case fan is a intake also

 

[electro_neanderthal]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

so the side panel case fan should be a intake? So my only exhaust is going to be my psu, since my other case fan is a intake also

Yeah, generally you want more air going in, as that creates a positive pressure system. Positive pressure ensures that there isn't dead air in the case (which might allow for hotspots). And technically, the PSU usually has a fan that acts as the exhaust fan in prebuilts.

 

[ahnafspyro]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

so the side panel case fan should be a intake? So my only exhaust is going to be my psu, since my other case fan is a intake also

Yeah, generally you want more air going in, as that creates a positive pressure system. Positive pressure ensures that there isn't dead air in the case (which might allow for hotspots). And technically, the PSU usually has a fan that acts as the exhaust fan in prebuilts.

alright thanks and one last thing there is not enough space to put it in front of the HDD should I put it in front of the cpu fan (https://gyazo.com/86fe4a3aed873fe0a16d94b93bbdde0c)

 

[electro_neanderthal]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

so the side panel case fan should be a intake? So my only exhaust is going to be my psu, since my other case fan is a intake also

Yeah, generally you want more air going in, as that creates a positive pressure system. Positive pressure ensures that there isn't dead air in the case (which might allow for hotspots). And technically, the PSU usually has a fan that acts as the exhaust fan in prebuilts.

alright thanks and one last thing there is not enough space to put it in front of the HDD should I put it in front of the cpu fan (https://gyazo.com/86fe4a3aed873fe0a16d94b93bbdde0c)

Yup, that would work.

 

[ahnafspyro]

"Free" solution, if interested:

If you already have a drill and a decent drill bit (if not, go with the case suggested, as that's cheaper than buying a drill), you could just drill holes in the side of the case (drill while the panel you're drilling through is not connected to the case). Use painter's tape and draw a grid on it, then drill at the intersections and use a larger drill bit to de-burr - drill from the outside face toward the inside, so that at worst any remaining sharp parts stay inside the case. Voila, a new vent intake.

You can download templates for free online (don't "print to scale") to help you do this more elegantly: https://mnpctech.com/pc-cooling-fan-templates.html

If you want to add another fan, make sure to include holes for the case fan. A good location is close to the bottom just behind the HDD rack on the side panel that was removed to take those pictures. Leave a couple of centimeters on the bottom since that's how the panel holds onto the case.

Just an idea if you don't mind a little DIY.

so the side panel case fan should be a intake? So my only exhaust is going to be my psu, since my other case fan is a intake also

Yeah, generally you want more air going in, as that creates a positive pressure system. Positive pressure ensures that there isn't dead air in the case (which might allow for hotspots). And technically, the PSU usually has a fan that acts as the exhaust fan in prebuilts.

alright thanks and one last thing there is not enough space to put it in front of the HDD should I put it in front of the cpu fan (https://gyazo.com/86fe4a3aed873fe0a16d94b93bbdde0c)

Yup, that would work.

btw what would happen if my gpu reaches 80-85 degrees c while gaming? its the rx 550 4gb will it mess up the card over time

 

[electro_neanderthal]

I wouldn't know for sure, but that seems a bit too hot. Technically, you'd be fine, but keeping it at or under 80 is healthier in the long-term. It depends on the specific video card, really. My 390x, for example, has been know to hit 95 and be fine, while other cards are in danger and will throttle hard at 85C. You may want to ask that question in another thread.

The extra case fan might lower that, though.