HTPC Cases & Cooling

[Steve Bloomfield]

I decided to change my case to an HTPC one in a build im planning, which has meant i needed to change my CPU Cooler, whats the general rule with HTPC Cases & intakes & outtakes?

The cooler i've chosen is the Noctua NH-U9DXi4 37.8 CPU Cooler, the case is the Silverstone GD09B which gives me 2x120 as intakes on one side, then another 120 on the other side plus PSU & 2x80's on the back.

The cooler has got me a bit miffed as how to place it, as if both sides are used as intakes, then it would make no sense to place it directing into the path of intakes, but i've also read that placing it the other way would make it ineffective.

Should i make it so the rears are outs and the 120 on the other side an out? what about the PSU? turn that around too?

I'm just confused as to how I could make it effective, so any help would be good

 

[EagleDesignInc]

This is how ar should go in and out in order to have a positive air flow. Liquid CPU's Cooler are usually placed on top of the case

 

[Steve Bloomfield]

Thanks for that, but i specifically asked for HTPC cases and not a tower where there is no front intake

 

[EagleDesignInc]

Same principal. In order to achieve positive air flow you need to have air going in and fans socking the air out...

For the Noctua NH-U9DXi4 37.8 CPU Cooler, both fans will be blowing air towards the coil in order to have the CPU cooled.

 

[Steve Bloomfield]

ah ok, that kinda makes sense