Installation guide for cooler and fan in computer case

Computers of the new and modern generation need a cool and favorable air flow inside the system to show their best performance. There are many ways to arrange case fans and it must be admitted that the manufacturer's instructions are not always the best option available to the user. On the other hand, opening the case and rearranging the components can be a challenging and difficult task for normal users. For this reason, in this article, we are going to help you in the field of installing a cooler and a fan in a computer.

The basic principles of a case fan

Before you decide how Prepare case fans, useful things like key words and terms you should know in advance. It is very important to choose the right fan for this task, these fans are arranged correctly and then connected to the case. The most important things to know include:

Most cases have fans already installed

Most cases are sold with at least one fan and more. Almost all of these case models have a rear fan that pushes hot air out of the case. The quality of the case fans in this case is varied, but they are usually in line with the quality of the case itself. The best computer cases often have very good fans, while inferior cases have much weaker and of course noisier fans.

Fan size

Fans are sold in different sizes and shapes, but the most common fan sizes are 120, 140 and 200mm spinners. The benefit of a larger fan is that it can produce the same volume of air at a lower RPM and thus the fan noise is reduced. Of course, before buying, check whether your case has enough space for the big fan you want.

Noise, RPM and CFM

The volume of air that a fan can move in a unit of feet It is measured in cubic meters per minute (CFM). This number can vary based on fan size, RPM, and how it balances noise levels, but a good case fan will have at least 50 CFM.

RPM, or revolutions per minute, means that a fan will How fast does it spin? The higher the RPM, the more air is likely to move. Of course, these very high speeds can lead to an increase in sound and noise. Noise is measured in decibels (dB). A fan that is incredibly fast is likely to be using a more powerful motor, resulting in more vibrations that can be clearly heard with your ears. If the sound of the fan bothers you, try to find a fan with noise characteristics less than 30 dB.

When you want to buy case fans, it is better to choose the best balance between CFM and noise level that matches your budget; Because RPM will be less important to you as long as your fan doesn't make jet-like noise. However, if you are familiar with the hardware and if your computer supports this feature, you can enter the system BIOS and command a custom fan speed to strike a balance between noise and cooling performance.

Another option is to add more or larger fans to your system. Since multiple fans and ones with larger blades can move more air, making these changes will allow them to move at a slower speed, reducing the noise level of your system.

Fan Arrangement

Like any technology, the blowers inside your computer system have both inlet and exhaust sides. If you're not sure which side exactly belongs to which part, look for a small arrow on the edge of the fan. Manufacturers usually put this mark on one edge of the fan to indicate the direction of air flow. If there is no such sign, you can easily place your hand in the direction of the moving air to feel the direction of the air movement. Normally, the fan brand label is located on the entrance side; Because it is most likely visible through the glass side panels.

Installation

Installing case fans is extremely easy. Your case should have mounting points on the front, back, top, bottom, and sometimes even around. Each case supports specific fan diameters (usually 120 and 140 mm). Therefore, be sure to read the instructions of the part before installation.

The only difficulty in installing the cooler and fan in the computer is to align the fan with the installation holes and then close the four sides of the fan with screws. . Next, connect the power cable to the fan header on the motherboard. Of course, if your fan has RGB lighting, you must also connect the RGB header. Removing the fan is just as easy. First disconnect the fans from the power supply and the RGB connectors and finally loosen the screws. It is obvious to mention this point that the case must be disconnected from the electricity The process of installing and removing the fan must be done with the case off.

Basics of air flow and case pressure

Typically, the purpose of placing fans in a computer case is to create a channel of airflow from the right/front of the case to the top left/back. This air channel should pass the flow of cool air from the processor, graphics chipset and other heat-sensitive components and then exhaust the hot air through the back or top of the case. This path can heat the exchanged air and create a cycle of cool air entering and hot air exiting.

Another important concept in this field is the air pressure inside the case. The cool air created by the fans and the amount of hot air that comes out creates a positive or negative pressure inside the case. When these pressures are balanced, the case pressure is considered normal.

Positive case pressure occurs when the fans are arranged in such a way as to create more air into the case than hot air exits. Negative pressure also occurs when the opposite of this happens. As mentioned, the normal pressure is almost the same for the inlet and outlet air. Since computer cases are not a completely closed enclosure and the number and power of fans are combined with each other, usually the pressure inside the case tends to one side (positive or negative).

While fans for both pressures There are positives and negatives, benefits can be considered for both cases. For example, in positive pressure, your system components are always exposed to cool, fresh air. However, the negative point in this model is that a lot of dust enters the computer case. A negative pressure avoids this problem; Because the heated air doesn't stay stagnant inside the case and quickly exits.

Both case pressure systems can produce an air flow channel to cool the components inside the system to some extent. For this reason, many users decide to balance the intake and exhaust air and focus more on the direction of the air flow instead of spending time on positive and negative pressure. Regardless of what you choose, it's wise to get the cool air hitting the CPU and graphics card as quickly as possible.

Ideal and common case fan placement

There are different ways to adjust the fans. An ideal fan arrangement is to bring in a large amount of cool air in one straight path and out the other. The best arrangement requires the largest number of fans. Adjusting the positive and negative pressure of the case completely depends on the number of fans on each side.

Front, back, top and bottom models

In this method, the front and bottom fans draw the air into the case, while the top and rear fans are actually considered as exhaust for the exit of hot air. This model creates a clean channel between the main components of your computer system, while additional cooling air is fed directly upwards. This method is somewhat similar to the conventional front-back model, which is explained in the next section. This scenario provides cooling air directly to the graphics card and then directs that air upwards to the CPU and exhaust fans.

Front, back and bottom model

This fan layout is similar to the one above but there is only one exhaust fan at the back. This model is a reliable method, but it is usually less effective than the previous one due to the reduction of hot air from the top of the case. If you are considering this model and have more than one case fan on the bottom of the computer, it is recommended to move it to the top of the case to see the best cooling performance. Of course, this issue is provided that your case has holes and parts for installing the fan on the top.

Front and back model

This model is the most common way to cool the system and most computer cases that have more than one fan work this way. This method has relatively good performance. In this arrangement, one or more fans draw air from the front panel of the case and push it directly towards the motherboard. Here, air is consumed by the CPU and graphics card and blown to the rear exhaust fan, creating a front-to-back flow. Be aware that this option will not perform very well if the front part of the case cannot create multiple airflows to the inlet fans.

Front, back and top model

This model is generally in this regard to circulate the air inside the case. This method is less effective than the front, back and bottom method; Because it lacks upward pressure that the lower case fan provides. By providing enough power to the front fans, this arrangement can be effective. Of course, if your case is well ventilated in the front part.

Top and bottom model (chimney)

This method is not common these days, but it is a relatively good option for people who cannot fit front and rear fans in their case. Contract. In this arrangement, the fans draw air from the bottom of the case and push it upwards. For this reason, the air flow channel passes through the surface of the motherboard and is thrown out from the exhaust fan on the upper side. This layout model is very suitable for vertical graphics cards; Because graphics cards that are placed directly in the PCIe slot can prevent the flow of cool air from reaching the CPU.

Model of a rear fan

Some computer cases, especially very cheap models, have only one fan on the back. Computers that have only one fan should be installed on the back. This method is only recommended for weak and cheap systems; Because without a source of cool air, the components heat up quickly. Air movement in this method is at the lowest possible level. Therefore, if you can get at least one or two more fans, it is better to do this so that at least one fan can be installed in the front of the case to allow cool air to enter.

One front fan model

This model is perhaps considered the least effective way to cool the computer system and it must be admitted that it is a Not a good option for today's systems. By installing a fan in the front of the case, cool air is drawn in, but due to the absence of an exhaust fan, the air remains inside the case. The temperature of the air trapped in the case increases and naturally the system components are gradually damaged.

If you only have two fans, we recommend installing one in the front and one in the back. If you have three fans and you have a graphics card for the system, we recommend you to use the front, back and bottom model of the case. If you have more fans, install your fans in such a way that the air enters the case from the front or right side and exits from the back or left side of the case.

What is AIO?

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If you are using an All in one (AlO) CPU cooler, the fans should be installed in the position recommended by the manufacturer. These components benefit from special high-pressure fans that pass air through the radiator fins. Below are some correct fan arrangements for this model.

Push model

In this method, the fans push the air towards the radiator. This method is the most common model for this type of fan and is the most common form that manufacturers often recommend. Depending on whether the fan is installed on the top or front of the case, this method throws hot air out through the radiators or draws cool air into the case through the radiator. Ideally, any air that gets past the hot radiator fins is quickly blown out of the case. However, installing accessories and items to enhance the appearance of the case can sometimes limit this choice. ">

In the drag model, the position of the fan is reversed and the air is sucked in through the blades. This method is not common and generally not as effective as the push fan method. The same fundamentals of how it works for the airflow channel and hot air outlet apply here.

Push-Pull Model

This method is very popular because it can make AIO coolers more effective than other modes, but more fans are needed and a larger space inside the case is needed for this purpose. This arrangement of fans is used to push air through the radiator, and then one to three additional fans are installed on the other side to pull the air with force. Although a bulky radiator is required in this case, the overall performance of the system is increased. Mount on the top of your case (or on the back if the AIO is 120mm). In this way, the heat that the AIO moves from your processor to the radiator is quickly removed from the case. When a radiator is placed in the front in a push-pull fashion, cool air from the outside is heated by CPU heat as it passes through the radiator, then enters the case before exiting the rear and/or top over other heat-generating components. also passes Obviously, having cooler outside air that isn't preheated by your CPU is better for keeping your components cool.

Summary

Cooling is one of the most important things anyone can do to computer system optimization should be considered. With the information provided in this article about installing the cooler and fan in the computer, you can easily install the fans you want in the case correctly. Of course, be sure to pay attention to the fact that the fans are of good quality and on the other hand, they can bring cool air into and out of the case in any way possible. Fortunately, SafirSoft has all kinds of case fans. It is sold with different prices and features to compare and choose You can choose from the link below.

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Source: tomshardware