Water cooling push-pull config, should the strong fans do the pushing or the pulling?

[terroralpha]

i have a 280mm radiator that i want to set up at the top of my case. my dilemma is that i have 2 sets of fans. a pair of 140mm that push 95 CFM and another set that only push 77 CFM.

my question is, would it be more effective to put the stronger fans at the top or the bottom of the radiator in a push-pull configuration? i created the illustration below to show you guys what i mean,

i think it would make more sense to have the stronger fans on top (as the pull fans) but i'm not sure. i never use any water cooling before this.

thanks

 

[Darkbreeze]

That all depends on whether you're using an intake or exhaust configuration. Are bringing outside air in through the radiator or are you venting out through the radiator?

 

[terroralpha]

That all depends on whether you're using an intake or exhaust configuration. Are bringing outside air in through the radiator or are you venting out through the radiator?

yea, i realized that right after posting. lol. i updated my diagram to show the air flow

 

[Darkbreeze]

In that case, you want the fans with the higher pressure or the higher RPM, whichever results in a higher CFM, on the outside sucking out.

Whichever way you had air flowing, you would want the stronger fans on the side where the air is exiting because fans with a higher flow can easily pull air past the slower fans that are pushing, but strong fans pushing can't push past the resistance of a slow fan that is blocking the flow of air. If that doesn't make sense to you I can explain it in further detail but I think you will understand.

 

[terroralpha]

In that case, you want the fans with the higher pressure or the higher RPM, whichever results in a higher CFM, on the outside sucking out.

Whichever way you had air flowing, you would want the stronger fans on the side where the air is exiting because fans with a higher flow can easily pull air past the slower fans that are pushing, but strong fans pushing can't push past the resistance of a slow fan that is blocking the flow of air. If that doesn't make sense to you I can explain it in further detail but I think you will understand.

i guess that makes sense. thanks.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Here is some info on extensive testing using push pull configurations.

http://martinsliquidlab.i4memory.com/Radiator-Fan-Orientation-And-Shroud-Testing-Review.html