[SOLVED] Can the PSU be cooled in the same airflow as the CPU?

[quezak]

I've recently switched to a much smaller case, Raijintek Thetis -- probably the only seriously small case that fits a full-sized ATX mobo, a big GPU (or two!) and a big CPU cooler.
It runs just fine, but I'm having thoughts that the airflow is not optimal due to how the PSU and air vents are located.

In the current setup (left on the picture), both CPU and PSU draw most of the air from the same vent, which is also located just next to the PSU output vent -- so now the CPU runs noticeably hotter (~65°C instead of ~58°C after a few hours of gaming). I thought of reversing the CPU & back case fans, which would achieve a direct, stronger airflow through the whole top half of the case, and would probably help cooling the CPU a lot. The big question here: will the PSU be ok if it's "cooled" with air that just passed above a 50-60°C CPU? The air will probably be much cooler, since it passes through a huge cooler and fan.

The GPU runs more or less the same as in the big case before (~80°C on full load). If I decide to reverse the CPU fans, I'll probably mount some makeshift shielding to direct the GPU air outlet away from the CPU.

TL;DR: look at the picture, is it ok to pass warm air through the PSU in top right?

 

[jay32267]

I think you may be better off the way you are now.
......and 65C is still a pretty good temp for a few hours gaming.
Although.....I don't think the PSU is going to suffer because it's getting slightly warmed air from the CPU.......so if you wanted to try that.....I don't think you will hurt anything.....but I kind of like it as it is.

 

[Eximo]

The GPU really isn't exhausting out the back, not the right kind of cooler for that.

I'm not sure if you are pointing out fans or just where you think fresh air is coming from.

Also, that is the bottom of the chassis? How does it normally sit? Like this or upright?

I don't see anything particularly wrong with reversing the CPU cooler and rear fan. Airflow is more important than air temperature. So most of your concerns aren't that important. If you have no chassis fans beside the rear one, you will want one or two as intake.

Temperature on the GPU is going to be controlled by its settings. What you would want is a before and after maximum clock speed. The GPU will always be around 80-85C if it is working at its full potential under the circumstances.

 

[quezak]

The GPU really isn't exhausting out the back, not the right kind of cooler for that.

You're right, my mistake. Are there any protips to improve getting the hot air from the GPU out of the case?

I'm not sure if you are pointing out fans or just where you think fresh air is coming from.

Also, that is the bottom of the chassis? How does it normally sit? Like this or upright?

If you have no chassis fans beside the rear one, you will want one or two as intake.

I pointed out how I think the air flows through the chassis.
It sits flat (sideways), just like in the photo.
I have intake fans too, they weren't mounted yet when I took the picture.

Temperature on the GPU is going to be controlled by its settings. What you would want is a before and after maximum clock speed. The GPU will always be around 80-85C if it is working at its full potential under the circumstances.

The more you know. Thanks for pointing that out, I'll monitor the clocks too next time I'm gaming.

 

[Eximo]

Well, the original setup is still probably the best for getting hot air out of the case. Depends on what you do with the other fans in the system. Typically you want fresh air to come into the GPU, and something delivering fresh air into the CPU. Reversing the flow will certainly benefit the CPU, but may have a negative impact on GPU temperatures.

Kind of defying convention by having the case laid out like that. Not taking advantage of passive top exhaust. If it were active exhaust you would want to stick with the original setup.

Front active intake is typical, top passive or active. But you do need an exhaust, so your PSU is part of the system in this case, acting as an exhaust, which is fighting the CPU a little. Not sure it would draw fresh air in without assistance.

One of those situations where I think you need some airflow indicators to really figure it out.

 

[geofelt]

You look to be OK as you are.
If you need more cooling, look to getting more fresh air into the case.
It will eventually exit somewhere, taking component heat with it.
That might require higher rpm blue fans.

As to the psu, do not worry.
The fan on the psu is only there to take care of itself under load.
If your psu is efficient enough, or over provisioned, your psu fan amy never even run at all.