How does a PSU fan system work?

[Alanthor]

Hi,

I have a Cooler Master G650M 650w PSU. Its +80 bronze cert or something like that. What does that actually mean? Here's a link on the PSU, for the lazy ones.
http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/gaming-gm-series/g650m/

So, how does the fan system work on these things? I have a ancient chassi, so it's mounted on the classic way, which is top right rear.

The fan is pointing down. But is that fan pulling UP air, or is blowing down? Cuz I dont feel any airflow/airblow when I take my hand outside the PSU, u know, where the on/off switch is..

And I've read somewhere that a PSU fan should not always be on.. The fan on my PSU starts the moment the rig get's power, aka when I start it, untill I shut it down..

thanks in advance

Btw, why are the PCI-E cables so weird.. I mean, It is like 2 PCI-E connectors from one cable.. That are pretty short.. Why? :S

 

[Dburnsx]

Typically the PSU sits on the bottom/back of your tower...the fan should point down and intake cool air (which is why you don't feel airflow blowing out)

However, If your tower doesn't have a grate on the bottom to let air through (or in your case its mounted in a different location) flip it and have it intake air from within the tower...
Either way, the fan is an intake, so try to have the fan facing a source of cool air.

As for the cables, this PSU is modular (basically more space efficient with less wiring)...
Non-modular and semi-modular would be the other options, which is probably what you were expecting to find.

Typically modular psu's cost a little more just for their cable management convenience.

 

[Alanthor]

Well, as stated. The PSU is mounted in the classic old way, cuz my chassi is ancient. Which means only 80mm fans on the chassi etc, the PSU cage is TOP RIGHT REAR. But if I understand correct, you're saying that the PSU is a intake fan? The fan litteraly blows directly on the CPU?

Then it may not be the perfect solution... Got damn, cuz both of my rear fans, are exhaust fans, aka they blow hot air out. My intake fans is on the front. One 120mm bottom, and one stock CPU fan in the front, (Im using it as a chassi fan) There is no holes or something at all on the bottom, so placing the PSU there probably aint a solution :/

 

[Dburnsx]

yes, the fan is not blowing air out. Its pulling air into the psu.

If i understand your setup, then your exhaust fans are just below your psu cage.
If that's the case, there's a good chance it will be pulling in hot air from near your exhaust fans if its facing down (not a good idea)

If its possible, maybe you can face the fan upward and have it intake air through the top of your tower?

Or if you can find a psu with a front to back airflow (intake trough front/exhaust out the back) that meets today's power needs. [not sure if they even make them like this anymore]

 

[Alanthor]

Buying a new PSU is not actually what I had in mind.. But yea, ur first advice sounds good. But then I gotta drill holes or something on the top. Well, ima look at it and figure abiot.

 

[Dburnsx]

best of luck

 

[Alanthor]

But wait.. Are you 100% sure about this? I dno if u get this, but the vertical line is a grill with holes, and the horizontal line is the fan. ok, below.

|_

The vertical line is pointing out of the case, top right rear location. And the horizontal line (the fan), is pointin down IN the case. Are u sure that the PSU is acting as a intake fan in this way? Maybe i got it all wrong, but tthats how I think about it. Shouldnt the fan be at the vertical line if it was gonna be a intake fan?

 

[Dburnsx]

I see what you're saying.

The reason the fan is pointing IN the case is because the psu usually goes on the bottom of the tower (as oppose to your setup where its at the top).
Typically it pulls cool air from underneath the tower, through the fan, and the air comes out of the other grill with holes.

I don't really see towers with a design (like yours) where the Psu is mounted up top like that. Your chassis design is kind of outdated in terms of what new Psu's are designed for.

 

[Alanthor]

Oooh yeah. Now I understand what u mean. Haha yeah, the chassi is ANCIENT! It's from 2003 😀 Soo.. But thats exactly what I meaned, and what I thought. Then, basically it is a exhaust fan... It blows the air out from my case, right? But that cant be so good, that means that the PSU uses my ambient chassi temp to cool itself..? that kinda sucks..

 

[Dburnsx]

yeah, your options of pretty limited here. 🙁
If your not planning on buying anything new, then drilling holes in the top, like you mentioned, and mounting the psu upside down seems like the best option (at least that way it wouldn't be using the air from inside to cool itself)

 

[Alanthor]

Nah, im gonna buy a new chassi, thats for sure. The airflow in this one sucks. And no cable features, just plain metal with some cages on the front, lol.