[SOLVED] Does a fan blowing into another fan or CPU/GPU fan damage the other fan?

[randomUserName1234]

Hello,

I haven't found a discussion specifically talking about this... Mostly discussion about the effect on temperature.

I remember a computer store guy telling me not to clean my fans with a mechanic compressor, because this could damage the fan bearings... But what about computer setups where a fan is placed so closed to another fan that the first fan's wind actually causes a different restriction to the second fan? For example, you see those cases where there are 3 intake fans at the bottom, but right above those three fans, they place the GPU, so the intake fans blow directly into the GPU fans. Can this damage the fans that are blown into?

Thanks 😀

 

[DRagor]

Damage - no. Lessen the efficiency of GPU cooling - yes.

 

[randomUserName1234]

Here's an example... (Source: https://www.newegg.com/insider/craf...pertise-with-the-abs-rosewill-prism-s500-sli/)

 

[Eximo]

A little more nuanced than that. Fans flowing in the same direction are sort of working together, so the required power to spin both fans is less than the combination of both run separately.

Forcing air into a GPU like that isn't completely bad, but it may prevent some heated air from escaping the GPU. However, it is important to have intake and exhaust as long as there is some general flow it will get out eventually.

As to overspinning fans, yes, a compressor can spin a fan way passed its operating RPM. Generally fans running under their own power aren't going to vary by much.

That card in the middle is really the problem, spacing is decent, but it will run hotter than the bottom one here. SLI is more or less dead though, so you should really only see this in things like Mini-ITX cases.

 

[geofelt]

If you use forced air to clean any fan, first immobilize it so that the fan does not spin up past it's capability.
Hold a screwdriver into the fan to mobilize it.
If another fan might also move, immobilize that too.
Air is good for basic cleaning.
In time grime will collect and you may need to wipe the blades down manually which can be a chore.

 

[randomUserName1234]

Alright, thank you all for your inputs. I appreciate it! Everything I wanted to know has been addressed. I bought a used computer and the case is very small, so I was worried about fans being too close from each other. Thanks a lot!