CPU Fan, Upwards or Backwards?

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Number1SuperGuy

New Member
I'm building a computer with a Zalmann cooler for my processor. This was my first Zalmann fan, and it installed a bit differently than what I had used in the past. Here's a link to the fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

As you can see the fan stands up off the CPU and blows to the side. Well, since it installs differently than other fans I've used I accidentally pointed the fan towards the top of the case. I knew they normally pointed toward the back of the case, but I just figured it was different. Now, my case has a big 120mm fan at the top of the case, so the CPU fan is basically blowing right through another fan, straight out of the case, so it doesn't seem to me like it should be a problem (and might even be better).

However, I don't know for sure, and I don't want to risk damaging my new beast of a computer, so I figured I'd ask the experts. So, what do you guys think? Is it okay to point the processor fan to blow out the top of the case, or is it important to make sure it blows out the back of the case?
 
The fan is a pusher, it pushes air through the heatsink. The fan either need to be pointed toward the front of the case with the exhaust being pulled out the back case fan OR point it toward the bottom with the top case fan pulling exhaust out the top.

Lit_Up.jpg
 
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Oh wow, I'm really glad I posted this because I didn't even consider that. I guess I'm even more of a noob than I realized! Thanks for the advice. So do you think the exaust would be better going to the top of the case or to the back?
 
Number1SuperGuy said:
Oh wow, I'm really glad I posted this because I didn't even consider that. I guess I'm even more of a noob than I realized! Thanks for the advice. So do you think the exaust would be better going to the top of the case or to the back?
Click to expand...

Back, mainly because you want to create a front to rear air flow, not bottom to top.
 
Point the fan toward the front, like in the photo.

Pointing it down will work, but you will be pulling hot air off the video card/northbridge, which wont help cooling the CPU pulling hot air through it.
 
I have a 23cm top fan in my case so I mount my heatsink (not the zalman) upwards. It gives me better clearance for the RAM slots without having a fan hanging over them. If you don't have a top exhaust fan definitely point it to blow air out the rear. It just depends on what works best with your motherboard and case really.
 
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