Fan direction on CPU cooler.

2034d9

Honorable
Aug 16, 2013
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So i'm building a mATX in the thermaltake a30i case, it only has allowance of 90mm height for a heat-sink+ fan, so I've chosen to go for a Noctua NH-L9i.

Link to case specs: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002115

Only problem is, the case fans, especially the 200mm exhaust one, is sitting pretty much directly above the heat sink and its fan, would this have cause the fan on the heat-sink to perform not as well due to the large exhaust fan sucking air away from it?
Or will there still be enough air for all fans to run efficiently?

Secondly, rather than having the cpu fan push air into the heat-sink, would having the fan pull air up through the heat-sink be just as efficient, or even better in this case? can't find much information about this.
 
Solution
Noctua NH-L9i with fan is only 37mm high, you have room for 90mm. Surely you can find something better.
CM GeminII M4 for example
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/geminii-m4/
or NH-L9x65 (if you want Noctua)
http://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-retail/nh-l9x65/specification

I don't think you should be worried about opposite airflow direction there.
Fans will draw air from surrounding area in the case
and top large fan is slow rotating one - it will just collect and exhaust hot air that has risen to the top of the case.
Noctua NH-L9i with fan is only 37mm high, you have room for 90mm. Surely you can find something better.
CM GeminII M4 for example
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/geminii-m4/
or NH-L9x65 (if you want Noctua)
http://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-retail/nh-l9x65/specification

I don't think you should be worried about opposite airflow direction there.
Fans will draw air from surrounding area in the case
and top large fan is slow rotating one - it will just collect and exhaust hot air that has risen to the top of the case.
 
Solution


Well i'm kinda limited on money, plus im only running a i5 4670k at stock speeds, so do you reckon the l9 will be enough for that