Optimal orientation.

[Mkfish]

Right now I have a Kraken X40 rad mounted in the rear exhaust position. It has 2 x 140mm fans mounted to it and the airflow direction looks like this:

 

 

[ --------------------------  3x 120mm exhausts --------------------------------------]

<pull>[rad]<push> <---- airflow ----->                                                             <front mounted 3x120mm intakes>

 

 

[GPU]

 

 

I have my GPU sat more or less right underneath the air flow dumping out 90c into the case by the truckload and it seems to be drawn into the 140mm exhaust and pushed over my rad, esentially not being very effecient at cooling it.

 

Now I do have 3x 120mm exhaust fans mounted in the top aswell but it would seem that the hot air is being exhausted over my rad before it can really reach the top mounted exhausts.

Would it be a good idea to switch the orientation of the rad fans so that cool air is also being sucked into the case through the rear exhaust mount, and over the rad, instead of exhausting the warmer air from inside the case over it?

[KamiKatze]

@Mkfish

 

Just because your GPU's core temp is 90 °C, doesn't mean that the air that's kicked out is also 90 °C. Do you have unsatisfying CPU temps, or is there any other reason to change the fan orientation? Your current orientation is good. You actually have a lot of airflow with your 3+3 intake+exhaust fan setup, so it shouldn't be a concern.

 

However in theory, switching the orientation would result in better temps and the static pressure inside the case would turn positive, because you then ahve more intake than exhaust. That means less dust build up inside the case. The natural convection helps the 3 exhaust fans in the top.

 

So it would be better to turn the orientation around, but it's not necessary and it won't affect performance significantly.

[Mkfish]

No no the temps are pretty good really, even with low RPM settings on Kraken control I never see over 50c under sustained heavy load, even with a substantial OC. But it just seemed like bad practice to be venting the warm air over the rad, seeing as so much of it seemed to be exhausted that way and not via the top exhausts. 

I guess I won't fix what's not broken though, like you point out it's probably going to make minimal difference, and I'm not overly hot (pun intended) on the idea of my fans being the other way round, as they are far less aesthetically pleasing from behind.
Thanks for your reply!