SG13B Power Supply Orientation

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

I am getting a mini ITX Silverstone SG13B case for my new build! I will be using a stock intel cpu cooler (temporarily). I am unsure as to whether I should put the psu fan facing upwards and exhausting out of the rear, so it is in its own sort of loop, or do I put the psu fan facing down to draw air away from the cpu (in my mind aiding cooling it?) or is this a bad idea?

 

Help would be appreciated thanks

[Naeaes]

If it's any kind of decent PSU that can handle the heat, point it down. But if it's not, up then. A lot of B-grade PSUs can only handle around 40C which is something a CPU can easily spew out even at minimal stress. You do not want your PSU to overheat.

[Theguywhobea]

My only problem with mounting the PSU with the fan facing the CPU heatsink is that now those fans are going to oppose each other and be competing for air, with the PSU fan facing up, it gets its own air and the CPU heatsink doesn't have to fight the PSU for air.

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

6 minutes ago, Naeaes said:

If it's any kind of decent PSU that can handle the heat, point it down. But if it's not, up then. A lot of B-grade PSUs can only handle around 40C which is something a CPU can easily spew out even at minimal stress. You do not want your PSU to overheat.

My PSU is going to be a CX500W, the fane is silent so might not move enough air! I will try it upwards

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

1 minute ago, Theguywhobea said:

My only problem with mounting the PSU with the fan facing the CPU heatsink is that now those fans are going to oppose each other and be competing for air, with the PSU fan facing up, it gets its own air and the CPU heatsink doesn't have to fight the PSU for air.

Thanks for the reply! Kinda what I thought just wanted to check I wasn't missing a simply way to reduce ITX temps :)) 

[Theguywhobea]

2 minutes ago, LEDInfinityHD said:

Thanks for the reply! Kinda what I thought just wanted to check I wasn't missing a simply way to reduce ITX temps :)) 

No problem, I actually ordered this case yesterday for myself so I've been thinking about it as well!

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

1 minute ago, Theguywhobea said:

No problem, I actually ordered this case yesterday for myself so I've been thinking about it as well!

Hope your build goes well! Out of curiosity... how are you setting up the airflow in your case?

[vanished]

4 minutes ago, LEDInfinityHD said:

My PSU is going to be a CX500W, the fane is silent so might not move enough air! I will try it upwards

Yeah that's one of the ones that doesn't handle heat well... not the best capacitors.

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

Just now, LEDInfinityHD said:

Hope your build goes well! Out of curiosity... how are you setting up the airflow in your case?

Also I see you have an E3 1231 V3!! I am ordering that for my build and using my GTX 970!! 

[Naeaes]

1 minute ago, LEDInfinityHD said:

My PSU is going to be a CX500W, the fane is silent so might not move enough air! I will try it upwards

Oh no.   CX500 is rated for 30 Degrees C. You should really reconsider.

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

I know I know I will leave the fan upwards don't worry! I'll let the heatsink do its own thing! Thanks for the reply

[Theguywhobea]

2 minutes ago, LEDInfinityHD said:

Also I see you have an E3 1231 V3!! I am ordering that for my build and using my GTX 970!! 

Haha yeah, pretty good parts in my opinion. I'm gonna have my PSU pointing down and the CPU being cooled by an H60

[Guest LEDInfinityHD]

2 minutes ago, Theguywhobea said:

Haha yeah, pretty good parts in my opinion. I'm gonna have my PSU pointing down and the CPU being cooled by an H60

I will admit I'm thinking about going down the AIO liquid cooling route now...

[aeroencychris]

I've tried both orientations and honesty everything seems to run much better pointing up, mostly because I have little to no rear ventilation so having CPU and PSU air come out can make it kind of stuffy. If you notice your CPU temps are struggling then maybe consider pointing down.