Question Corsair RM850x Question About Zero RPM Mode & Thermals/Fans

[Crag_Hack]

Hi I read on this page (see first and second paragraphs) that PSU zero RPM modes can be bad for PSU fans when you don't have air exhaust on top of the PSU since heat can accumulate in the PSU and turn on the fan quite frequently every time the heat inside the PSU builds up enough, thus putting wear and tear on the fan. Anybody agree/disagree?

According to the article this can be remedied by placing the fan on the top of the PSU. If you put the air vent on top then when the fan kicks in it draws warmer air from inside the chassis through the top and out the back correct? As opposed to drawing cool air from the bottom?

Thanks!

 

[Lutfij]

Anybody agree/disagree?
Aris knows what he's talking about...he's been at this for decades.

If you put the air vent on top then when the fan kicks in it draws warmer air from inside the chassis through the top and out the back correct?
It depends on your chassis and the layout of fans in said chassis. You're focusing on the fan around in close proximity with the PSU. If your case has optimal airflow, then you need not worry. Heat will rise to the top, naturally, which is why if you plan to have a zero fan mode for your PSU, then you have the fan pointing upwards in the case. On the other hand, if your case has a PSU basement devoid of any ventilation, then you're better off having the PSU's fan facing towards the bottom of the case.

That being said, what are the specs to your build...?
Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
If you're working with the RM850x, then include it's age.

 

[Crag_Hack]

Thanks Lutfij, here they are. Upon quick inspection there's no ventilation above the PSU in my Silent Base 802 but there is a panel I might be able to remove.

AMD 5900x w/NH-D15 IIRC
Gigabyte Aorus X570 Ultra
corsair I think 32 GB 16x2
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB
Soon to be Asus Prime 5070ti 16 GB non-oc, now GTX 970
Corsair HX850 Platinum soon to be Corsair RM850x prolly
Chassis is Be Quiet! Silent Base 802
Win 10
Alienware AW3418DW

 

[Crag_Hack]

@Lutfij Upon inspection of the manual it definitely looks like there is a panel that can be removed. Were there no panel to removed would that mean zero-rpm fan mode PSUs should not be used?

 

[Eximo]

I'm of two minds on it. If you oversize the PSU enough, it shouldn't need to turn the fan on. If you use one that is just the right size, it may cause more start ups on the fan. For a 24/7 system it might be bad. For "on only when I am gaming" it should be fine.

My RM850x is nearly 10 years old and I haven't had to touch the fan. Though it is on my short list to replace the PSU, probably with the next GPU replacement.

 

[Crag_Hack]

@Eximo Yea my system only draws ~160 W or so at idle from the 850 W PSU. For the new one I'll try and remove a panel for airflow through the top if possible.

 

[Crag_Hack]

@Eximo Sound like my PSU is oversized enough not to worry?
@Lutfij How bout you what's your two cents?
Thx