PSU orientation: best practice

[asheenlevrai]

Hi everyone

 

Is the following true?

"Ideally you want the PSU to be able to suck in air from below the case and expel it out the back without any of it spilling into the case at all. I've seen some people flip their PSU over and suck in hot air from the case instead, thinking that this will help with cooling but in reality they are shortening the life of their PSU for very little thermal gain in the case."

 

I have the same gut feeling but it seems like more and more PSU manufacturers include RGBs that will only be visible if the PSU sucks air from the inside of the case (and push it outwards) rather than from the outside of the case (and still push it outwards).

 

Thoughts?

 

Tx

-a-

 

A few guidelines here: https://blog.nzxt.com/which-way-should-a-psu-fan-point/

But still the question remains when RGB are present in the PSU...

[Bacon soup]

8 minutes ago, asheenlevrai said:

their PSU over and suck in hot air from the case instead

this can only be true if the case is starved of fresh air.

[Flying Sausages]

37 minutes ago, asheenlevrai said:

Hi everyone

 

Is the following true?

"Ideally you want the PSU to be able to suck in air from below the case and expel it out the back without any of it spilling into the case at all. I've seen some people flip their PSU over and suck in hot air from the case instead, thinking that this will help with cooling but in reality they are shortening the life of their PSU for very little thermal gain in the case."

 

I have the same gut feeling but it seems like more and more PSU manufacturers include RGBs that will only be visible if the PSU sucks air from the inside of the case (and push it outwards) rather than from the outside of the case (and still push it outwards).

 

Thoughts?

 

Tx

-a-

 

A few guidelines here: https://blog.nzxt.com/which-way-should-a-psu-fan-point/

But still the question remains when RGB are present in the PSU...

Fan down: with power supply shroud, or water cooling

Fan up: on carpet, one exhaust fan, most setups

[GoldenLag]

just make sure the PSU can get air and can get rid of the air it gets. other than that you shouldnt need to care a lot about it. 

[Spotty]

There's no 'right' answer. Depends on things like what case you have.

 

Follow common sense. 

Just think to yourself "if I mount it this way will the fan be able to draw in air?"

 

If your case doesn't have a grill+fan filter under the PSU, you obviously need to mount it fan in.

If your case has a PSU shroud, you obviously need to mount it fan out.

If you have graphics cards right up against the PSU it's best to face the fan out so it's not sucking in the hot air from the graphics card.

If you're on carpet and there's no clearance at the bottom of the case for airflow you'll want to mount it fan up.

[seon123]

Depends. If the case is stupid, and has a PSU shroud/basement, point it downwards. That way it can actually get some air. 

If you use a fanless PSU, always use it with a case that doesn't have a PSU shroud (or has a option to remove it). 

If you are going to put the PSU on a carpet, either don't, or point it upwards. Don't be like that someone on the forum that has killed several PSUs by putting the PSU fan down on carpets. 

Outside of those special cases, the lifespan of a decent PSU is not significantly affected by whether it's mounted fan up or down. Decent PSUs are typically rated for full power at 40-50°C, for the entire length of their warranty, which is typically 7+ years. In general, it doesn't really matter. Some argue that you should point it down, to avoid debris falling into it (e.g. screws, water cooling liquid). Personally, I mount it fan up, because I think it looks nicer that way. That's a better reason than most arguments for either orientation. 

[WoodenMarker]

The "hot air" inside the case sucked by the psu is fine for adequate cooling. Air below / outside the case may be cooler and thus better but the option isn't always available.