Horizontal or Vertical?

[DIV1D3]

I was just wondering which configuration would be more efficient. The back of my case will be up against a wall so wouldn't putting the cooler horizontal be a better config? Also I'm going to be using the Aerocool Strike-X Advance and the NZXT Havik 140.

Thanks I you help.

[Bloodyvalley]

Vertical

[MegaDave91]

My case is about 6 inches away from a wall (for airflow) and I still have my NHD14 mounted horizontally because I have an exhaust fan in the back. I say you should mount it horizontally. 

[MrImnotMLG]

It doesn't really have an effect (MAYBE 1°C increase). It doesn't really matter since there should be no intakes near the back of the case.

[WoodenMarker]

Mount it so that it exhausts air out the back.

[DIV1D3]

Mount it so that it exhausts air out the back.

Vertical

Is there any advantage to exhausting hot air out the back?

 

My case is about 6 inches away from a wall (for airflow) and I still have my NHD14 mounted horizontally because I have an exhaust fan in the back. I say you should mount it horizontally. 

Well my case will have outtake fans in the bottom and rear, I would just like to know if mounting it either horizontally or vertically would improve overall airflow of the case.

 

The Strike-X Advance has 2 120mm front fans, a 120mm at the rear and a 140mm on the top. Since the top one is 140mm would it more beneficial to mount it vertical as it would push air out the back and the top fan would act somewhat as a side fan for the Havik. Idk, I would just like to know your opinions on it.

[WoodenMarker]

Is there any advantage to exhausting hot air out the back?

 

Well my case will have outtake fans in the bottom and rear, I would just like to know if mounting it either horizontally or vertically would improve overall airflow of the case.

 

The Strike-X Advance has 2 120mm front fans, a 120mm at the rear and a 140mm on the top. Since the top one is 140mm would it more beneficial to mount it vertical as it would push air out the back and the top fan would act somewhat as a side fan for the Havik. Idk, I would just like to know your opinions on it.

The fans in front are already intake. It's best not to fight with the general airflow of the case. This is only in theory though. Try mounting it either way and testing the temps.

[DIV1D3]

The fans in front are already intake. It's best not to fight with the general airflow of the case. This is only in theory though. Try mounting it either way and testing the temps.

I wouldn't think mounting it either way would fight the general airflow of the case, then again I have almost no knowledge about this, that's why I'm here. I'm not really wanting lower temps for the CPU only but rather the general temperature of the case. Like would mounting it horizontal increase the speed in which the hot air from the CPU is expelled as the top fan is a 140mm versus the rear 120mm?

[WoodenMarker]

I wouldn't think mounting it either way would fight the general airflow of the case, then again I have almost no knowledge about this, that's why I'm here. I'm not really wanting lower temps for the CPU only but rather the general temperature of the case. Like would mounting it horizontal increase the speed in which the hot air from the CPU is expelled as the top fan is a 140mm versus the rear 120mm?

*shrug* I'm not sure. just try it out and bench the temps.

[DIV1D3]

*shrug* I'm not sure. just try it out and bench the temps.

Ok, than that's what I'll do. Thanks. I'll also be getting a Lamptron FC6 that was mentioned in another thread so I'll be able to see a somewhat accurate difference in temps throughout the case .

[LogicalDrm]

Shouldn't make any difference. I had first it "normal" position vertically and fan pushing. Now its horizontally and fan pulling. Difference is maybe 2C to cooler side. Depending on which cooler and mobo (ram maybe) it frees first PCIe slot. With all clear cooler like NH-U14S (which I have) it doesn't matter to any end.

 

Good reasoning behind why it shouldn't matter is that heat rised. Front/side intakes cool HDDs and GPU. After that heated air raises towards CPU cooler and goes where ever CPU coolers fan and exhaust fans blow it. Only situation where I think vertical position is truly better is when front intake is at same height as CPU coolers fan. But I haven't seen case which would have fan placed so high.

[DIV1D3]

Shouldn't make any difference. I had first it "normal" position vertically and fan pushing. Now its horizontally and fan pulling. Difference is maybe 2C to cooler side. Depending on which cooler and mobo (ram maybe) it frees first PCIe slot. With all clear cooler like NH-U14S (which I have) it doesn't matter to any end.

 

Good reasoning behind why it shouldn't matter is that heat rised. Front/side intakes cool HDDs and GPU. After that heated air raises towards CPU cooler and goes where ever CPU coolers fan and exhaust fans blow it. Only situation where I think vertical position is truly better is when front intake is at same height as CPU coolers fan. But I haven't seen case which would have fan placed so high.

Well, the normal way to mount a CPU cooler is vertical but I thought that I might be able to take advantage of the top 140mm fan to exhaust heat faster than if the cooler was vertical and pulled through the rear 120mm. I know it wouldn't make a large difference in temperature but now that I think about it, if the cooler was horizontal it would have to go past the GPU, so wouldn't that effectively improve airflow around the GPU cooling it better?

[LogicalDrm]

Well, the normal way to mount a CPU cooler is vertical but I thought that I might be able to take advantage of the top 140mm fan to exhaust heat faster than if the cooler was vertical and pulled through the rear 120mm. I know it wouldn't make a large difference in temperature but now that I think about it, if the cooler was horizontal it would have to go past the GPU, so wouldn't that effectively improve airflow around the GPU cooling it better?

 

Well back of PCB somewhat. But I don't think you will see it in GPU temps so much either.

[DIV1D3]

Well back of PCB somewhat. But I don't think you will see it in GPU temps so much either.

Well, I'm just wanting to know if there is any temp differences throughout the case between horizontal and vertical. When I get everything and put it together I'll test the two. I think I might get a fan controller, maybe not the FC6 but another good fan controller than shows temps and allows up to 6 fans. I've got the moneys so why not , I really like the prospect of reaching over and adjusting the fan speed before going into a game so to make sure the parts don't overheat. Anyways, I'll come back to here after I bench the results if anyone is interested in knowing the difference.

Cheers!

[Constantine]

Hold up, did you say you were going to use your bottom fan as an exhaust? Wouldn't that mean you'd be pulling cool air out from your front intakes before they reach your GPU+CPU?

 

As for your question, I think vertical would be better as your 140mm would be pulling more air than your 120mm.

[scaryjam823]

I have mine mounted horizontal. But I did this for a couple reasons, my cause has exhaust fans on top of the case. I have an intake in the front and on the size, 2 exhaust on the top and one exhaust on the back. I decided to go with the airflow of my exhaust fans on top of the case based on the way the manufacturer had a diagram for the airflow. IF I didn't have the top two exhaust fans I would've went vertical to match the intake/exhaust on the front and rear of the case. I don't think it really make a big difference as long as you're going with the flow of your case. 

[DIV1D3]

Hold up, did you say you were going to use your bottom fan as an exhaust? Wouldn't that mean you'd be pulling cool air out from your front intakes before they reach your GPU+CPU?

 

As for your question, I think vertical would be better as your 140mm would be pulling more air than your 120mm.

I said nothing about a bottom fan 0_o, the Strike-X doesn't have one stock and I'm not going to be buying more. Also for the 140 top to be used in conjunction with the Havik 140 than it would have to be horizontal, not vertical. You have me confused. A is vertical, B is horizontal. 

[DIV1D3]

I have mine mounted horizontal. But I did this for a couple reasons, my cause has exhaust fans on top of the case. I have an intake in the front and on the size, 2 exhaust on the top and one exhaust on the back. I decided to go with the airflow of my exhaust fans on top of the case based on the way the manufacturer had a diagram for the airflow. IF I didn't have the top two exhaust fans I would've went vertical to match the intake/exhaust on the front and rear of the case. I don't think it really make a big difference as long as you're going with the flow of your case. 

K, I think that because the 140mm top is larger than the rear fan it would be able to draw the hot air away faster, same as your dual fan top exhaust.