Fan configuration, help!

[PatRed]

Not too long ago i built my second pc, but i need some help getting the correct fan config. In the photo is my current config. Is there anything i should change? Maybe something isn't optimal or right, please comment if so! And yes i will cable manage better (maybe). My case is the lian li a3 wood, if that helps.

[Kyle Xu]

3 in from the bottom and 3 exhaust on the top. have the CPU cooler blowing out the back as well dont worry about the PSU that air doesnt get recycled into your PC this is because hot air rises and and that will also give your PC near neutral static pressure 

[PatRed]

4 minutes ago, Kyle Xu said:

3 in from the bottom and 3 exhaust on the top. have the CPU cooler blowing out the back as well dont worry about the PSU that air doesnt get recycled into your PC this is because hot air rises and and that will also give your PC near neutral static pressure 

Sorry but forgot to mention that the arrows at the bottom arent case fans but gpu fans, my mistake. Also it's almost impossible to fit fans at the bottom since i would need thinner than 2cm fans. Any alternatives?

[Kyle Xu]

15 minutes ago, PatRed said:

Sorry but forgot to mention that the arrows at the bottom arent case fans but gpu fans, my mistake. Also it's almost impossible to fit fans at the bottom since i would need thinner than 2cm fans. Any alternatives?

if there is nothing but mesh there the GPU will still try to pull fresh cool air into the case so they serve almost a de facto in take. I would honestly still recommend this as long as CPU temps are not too bad. idk what CPU you have so idk IMG_8672.HEICthis is my personal rig in the Lian Li SUP01 and my gpu is in the front pulling fresh air in   

[PatRed]

4 minutes ago, Kyle Xu said:

if there is nothing but mesh there the GPU will still try to pull fresh cool air into the case so they serve almost a de facto in take. I would honestly still recommend this as long as CPU temps are not too bad. idk what CPU you have so idk IMG_8672.HEICthis is my personal rig in the Lian Li SUP01 and my gpu is in the front pulling fresh air in   

I mean there's only a 15mm gap between gpu and mesh so maybe i could try out what you suggested and see if temps don't rise to much. Also it would look better since fans wouldn't be flipped.

[thrasher_565]

what is the temps? i think keep it as is.

is the side mesh?

Edited July 25, 2025 by thrasher_565

[Mark Kaine]

Yeah that looks like a hot box, sorry, if you care at all about good airflow you should buy an airflow optimized case such as the fractal torrent.

 

 

[Mark Kaine]

2 hours ago, Kyle Xu said:

3 in from the bottom and 3 exhaust on the top. have the CPU cooler blowing out the back as well dont worry about the PSU that air doesnt get recycled into your PC this is because hot air rises and and that will also give your PC near neutral static pressure 

All this setup does is recycle hot air throughout the case..  that's not how it works, you want air in and out as fast as possible... 

On that drawing it looks like it makes sense, but in reality there will be many obstructions (such as GPU etc) creating tons of turbulences and hot air bubbles.

 

2 or 3 front fans, 1 exhaust is all u need, especially when the PSU is on top (which is ideal)

 

PS: what many people don't understand, a GPU, and by extent a CPU, exhausts most air to the back, that's how they're designed, and that's what your cooling set-up should support, not "up"... that makes no sense... up is your CPU, that's exactly where you *don't* want additional hot air from the GPU...

[PatRed]

12 hours ago, Mark Kaine said:

Yeah that looks like a hot box, sorry, if you care at all about good airflow you should buy an airflow optimized case such as the fractal torrent.

 

 

when idle cpu was 52c and gpu 45c and when playing rdr2 cpu was about 65c and gpu was also about 65c and the hotspot was about 79c. So should i change anything seems like good temps.

[Mark Kaine]

42 minutes ago, PatRed said:

when idle cpu was 52c and gpu 45c and when playing rdr2 cpu was about 65c and gpu was also about 65c and the hotspot was about 79c. So should i change anything seems like good temps.

With that case that's about expected, I wouldn't change anything then tho as that's still acceptable temps.

(for reference my CPU idles at 32c, but it's in a different case obviously)