I have a question about this case

[Wizzam]

I ordered a Fractal Design Define R4 windowed case yesterday, and I noticed that it comes with 2 fans: one intake fan in the front bottom, and one outtake in the back. I see that if I leave the intake where it is, it would be blowing air towards the bottom harddrive bays.

My question is, If I'm planning to remove the topmost harddrive bays from the case, would it be better to take the front fan out of the bottom slot and put it in the top slot so that it's presumably blowing more air towards the components instead of the HDD and SSD I'm planning to install in the bottom bays?

Here's my build, for reference: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Wizzam/saved/x72scf

Thanks

 

[ImAFreakingTaco]

To me, I would keep the fans the way they are because it is an efficient set up. Later it would be nice to get like 2 more fans and put one in the back and slot one at the top of the case.

 

[JonnyDough]

Almost all of the cases sold these days have a chassis that is made by the same company. The only difference are small things like the aesthetics of the front panel.


But to answer your question:

Cool air drops and hot air rises. As air travels through your case and picks heat up, it should rise. Best to pull air in at a low point on the case. Most cases have the PSU at the bottom these days, to help it stay cool. At the top is usually an output fan, right by the CPU. At the front bottom is generally an intake fan. If you add a side fan, force air in there to create positive pressure. This forces cool air in and hot air out through any holes near the top and helps to keep from drawing warm air back into the case. Hope this helps.

 

[Wizzam]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Another question: would it be better to have the CPU fan facing towards or away from the outtake fan?

 

[JonnyDough]

Blow it out the back or up through the top and out. Pull air through from the front.

 

[Wizzam]

Thanks again. I know it sounds like a dumb question but I saw a video of a guy doing a build with this case and he had the fan facing towards the back. I got confused so I just wanted to clarify on that.

 

[JonnyDough]

No problem. Glad I could help. There are a few videos and such that show air flow. But basically you want it to be drawn in the lower front (because heat rises, this will ensure cool air coming in), and then as the air moves across components and picks up heat you want it to be expelled near the top rear of the case. If you have a fan blowing air in and pushing air out next to each other, they will simply cycle the warm air and your ambient temps (air inside the case) could rise in temperature.