PSU placement (clearance problems) advice needed please!

[mattnicholas.art]

Hi,

I'm part-way through building a computer for my aunt and please teach' I'm stuck 😉 I'm using a small(ish) retro mATX case (ACME ACM605X) which has limited space for PSU placement in the designated upper power supply area; part of the optical bay cradle is blocking around 50% of the PSU fan (Corsair CX450). I have 4 choices as I look at it:

1 - Place PSU fan-down with 50% of fan blocked
2 - Place PSU fan-up but only allowing less than 1cm clearance above it to draw air in
3 - Install an SFX PSU fan-up (it allows a slightly-better 4.5cm clearance above the PSU)
4 - Dremmel out part of the cradle to allow the full-size PSU to breathe (would be awkward considering I don't have the tools)
5 - Nope, I'm not going to use a different case!

Would I get away with using the SFX PSU with 4.5cm clearance or would it be better to run with the larger PSU (and larger fan) with only 50% of the fan showing? I'm guessing the SFX would be best but if someone can say different I'd be interested!

Thanks in advance.. Matt

 

[superninja12]

I think that case is a dust magnet.

so I would replace the case and my plan b is getting a sfx psu.

 

[luckymatt42]

I don't have a clear idea of your setup, but a 1cm intake clearance is fine for the PSU at least.

 

[mattnicholas.art]

I think that case is a dust magnet.

so I would replace the case and my plan b is getting a sfx psu.

Thanks for answering. SFX makes most sense to me as well. Not budging on the case though - I like it, dust or no dust and will make it work - it's only gonna be used for ultra-light computer work anyway...web browsing, one or 2 simple games, the occasional excel doc. etc. 😉

 

[mattnicholas.art]

I don't have a clear idea of your setup, but a 1cm intake clearance is fine for the PSU at least.

Thanks, I managed to install the SFX PSU fan-down in the end, so it gives nearly 4cm clearance (and better clearance overall as it's also not far away from the main optical cradle cutout now); the thing is running silent as a sleeping baby, temps are around 32C on idle average between the 2 cores. Very pleased considering it's such an old case design it's working so well. I know I'm in the minority but damn I wish beige / sand / ivory / cream etc. would get a resurgence of popularity for cases, it's a beautiful color IMO 😉