Two case fans. Two exhaust, or one in, one out?

[MichaelD]

I'm building a new box to be used as a 24/7 file server/FTP box. It will be in a well-ventilated case (Antec 1040). The PS has an exhaust fan, and I have two case fans.

Should I have both fans sucking air OUT of the case (exhaust) or have one on the front sucking in and the other on the rear blowing out?

I understand the properties of convection and how a well-vented case operates: Cool air drawn in from down low in front, and exhausted up high in the rear.

On my main rig, I have two fans in and two fans out...sounds like a damn hovercraft. I want this new box QUIET.

 

[Mem]

Personal choice here,but I would go with one sucking in and one blowing out,if you want quietness just buy some quiet fans .

 

[Adul]

one in one out. you dont want two out, that make a neg pressure in the case. less dense air = less effective cooling.

 

[Nova101]

I would run 3. I would have 2 blowing out in the back and 1 in the front blowing in but position it so it cools your hard disk. This will help keep your HD running long term.

Only putting 1 fan on the back of the 1040 case is IMO bad since there is an openning there. It is is not covered, air will come in the extra fan hole and disrupt effecient air flow. Since the extra hole is right next to the fan, significant would come from it and you would just be moving air into and then right back out of the case. You want to avoid this. You want air coming in the bottom front of the case and out the top back of the case thus forcing the air to flow through the case and cool all your components.

 

[MichaelD]

<< I would run 3. I would have 2 blowing out in the back and 1 in the front blowing in but position it so it cools your hard disk. This will help keep your HD running long term.

Only putting 1 fan on the back of the 1040 case is IMO bad since there is an openning there. It is is not covered, air will come in the extra fan hole and disrupt effecient air flow. Since the extra hole is right next to the fan, significant would come from it and you would just be moving air into and then right back out of the case. You want to avoid this. You want air coming in the bottom front of the case and out the top back of the case thus forcing the air to flow through the case and cool all your components. >>



Thanks, Mem, Adul and Nova 101. Appreciate the help. You know, the above info is really good! I'm kind of embarassed as I already have one 1040; it's the case for my main rig, and I didn't even "catch" the fact that there's two holes back there and one fan wouldn't do anything but suck air in from the other hole and blow it right back out. Duh on me.

The new 1040 is actually a Chieftec case (who makes Antec's cases anyway) and it comes with (I think...) Sunon fans, which are a little quieter than Antec's fans. Thanks again.

 

[MichaelD]

How about if I cover one of the exhaust holes in the rear, and then have one in/one out? It would WORK, but would it be OK?

 

[Mem]

<< How about if I cover one of the exhaust holes in the rear, and then have one in/one out? It would WORK, but would it be OK? >>



MichaelD it would not be worth doing IMHO . I also have a Chieftec case the full tower dragon version and have 6 case fans in it, 3 in front sucking and 3 in the back blowing out.Just stick one in the front and one in the back for now,you can always add more fans later.

 

[MichaelD]

<<

<< How about if I cover one of the exhaust holes in the rear, and then have one in/one out? It would WORK, but would it be OK? >>



MichaelD it would not be worth doing IMHO . I also have a Chieftec case the full tower dragon version and have 6 case fans in it, 3 in front sucking and 3 in the back blowing out.Just stick one in the front and one in the back for now,you can always add more fans later. >>



Thanks Mem. You know, until a few months ago, I never knew that Chieftec manufacturered Antec cases...and that buy buying the equivalent Cheiftec model, I could save about 40% :| Grrrrrrr! You know?