PSU Orientation?

[TacoDreams]

So.. I know this is a noob question, but I am curious.

Is there any real advantage to having your PSU pulling air from inside the case or having it pull air from the outside?

The only thing I can think of is if your cables aren't long enough.

 

Thoughts?

[Altecice]

Face the fan down as facing it upwards may mean you drop a screw into the PSU. Also colder air from the room is far better than hot air from the case.

Also why centre text? 

[TacoDreams]

 

Face the fan down as facing it upwards may mean you drop a screw into the PSU. Also colder air from the room is far better than hot air from the case.

Also why centre text? 

 

Makes sense.

Why centered text, you may ask?

Personal preference, I suppose 

[Vozella]

Why would you want your PSU intaking the hot air inside the case instead of the cool air outside?

[TacoDreams]

 

Why would you want your PSU intaking the hot air inside the case instead of the cool air outside?

 

Never really thought of it that way, even though that's exactly the difference, lol

Like I said, noob question.

:rolleyes:

[ThomasD]

 

Why would you want your PSU intaking the hot air inside the case instead of the cool air outside?

 

Common with top mounted PSUs in non-high performance systems.  The PSU then helps vent the chassis, and the marginally warmer air really does not affect PSU performance or longevity.  Not ideal, but economical and efficient.

 

With a bottom mounted PSU this is a bad idea, as the down draw will create turbulent flow that is fighting the natural tendency of heat rising.  In that situation the PSU really should be drawing air from under the chassis.

[W-L]

Ideally if your system doesn't require more exhaust having it face down taking in fresh air would be best.

 

The only other time I really recommend leaving it fan up is if your leaving the PSU on silent or eco mode where the fan doesn't spin until higher loads, where mine never turns on and I just let the heat easily rise out of it or get some more incidental airflow from around the case.