Direction to point the fan of the cpu cooler?

[Izkall]

Didn't build the computer myself and now that I'm going to scrap the stock cooler of my FX-8350 to put in an arctic cooling freezer 30, I don't know what the best option is.

The smaller fan in the picture is the rear fan, and the bigger is in the top of the case. I have the option to point it in four directions including straight to one of the two fans. The other two options are either towards the video card & the PSU, and the last towards the front of the case, while the front fan of the case being in a lower level.

My chassi is an Cooler Master HAF 912, and here's a picture of an empty one:

Thanks for any help.

 

[CTurbo]

I would point it straight back, but it would be perfectly fine to point it upwards too.

 

[CTurbo]

...and I mean you want the air blowing towards either the top fan or rear fan. NEVER blowing in a downwards position or towards the front. You should have your front and/or bottom fans intaking air and your rear and top fans exhausting air.

 

[Calculatron]

I have a Corsair 300R, with a 120mm read exhaust fan, and two 120mm top exhaust fans. I own and have experimented with the A30 Freezer, and I found that the difference was negligible - within half a degree celsius - with having the cooling solution exhaust towards the rear or towards the top of the case, despite the finding that this study found: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Which-is-The-Best-Position-for-a-Tower-CPU-Cooler/1815/3

Then again, that's just my own little test. Other people may get different results (like the study above). That said, the cooler is ridiculously easy to install, so if you wanted to invest an hour of your time you could run your own tests.

However! When applying thermal paste, be sure to fill in the gaps between the heatpipes first, so when you are using the dot-method of applying thermal compound, it'll act as a smooth surface. The way they want you to apply thermal compound in the instructions is just too much.

Also! Newegg is having a sale of Cougar fans ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553002 ) and these are really good for a balance of still being quiet and offering good performance. (If you want to shave a couple extra degrees off for performance.)

 

[Izkall]

Much thanks for both of your answers. Now I'll put this in towards the top. And thanks for the recommendation about the thermal paste, will take a look at that now as well.

😀

 

[Calculatron]

No problem! I always love tinkering, and passing on what I've learned so others can get the most out of their purchase.

When you get everything installed, if you don't mind, give us your results - for posterity!

(For science!)