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To Blow, or To Suck?
protokatie:
I guess it could be a personal preference, but seriously:
I am planning on building a wooden "server" rack for my file server computer, and an aux computer, plus external Hdd's, etc. The computers (tower cases both) will be on the lower shelves and the drives/etc will be on the upper shelves. There will be a 2 inch gap at the back of all shelves for cables and airflow. Now my idea is to put two vents near the bottom front and a large vent at the top to allow for heat dissipation as this "rack" will be entirely closed in otherwise (including a double door that when opened in the obvious way will show a book case/dvd rack).
So, is it better to have fans on the bottom blowing cooler air into the cabinet, or a large fan on top exhausting the heated air out, or both?
EDIT: I am leaning toward an exhaust fan as I can imagine this will allow for a better stream of air, plus I imagine that inlet fans will create turbulence...?
Ed_McCarron:
Blow. Positive pressure will keep dust from getting sucked in every little crack.
"Sir! It's Megamaid! Shes gone from suck, to blow!"
hypernova:
I believe I've always heard that exhaust fans at the top are the better option if you must choose only one. But obviously a combination would be the best option, I believe. In at the bottom and out at the top.
The heat will always rise, so the exhaust fan will always be sucking out the hottest air, however, an intake fan will not always be pushing out the hottest air.
SavannahLion:
--- Quote from: hypernova on December 20, 2009, 09:27:29 pm ---however, an intake fan will not always be pushing out the hottest air.
--- End quote ---
That's because most cases aren't designed for a positive pressure system. So there's usually vents in the back that would cause the intake air to escape.
However, you can control the intake fans to blow air over the hottest components (to some degree).
A lot of cases look like they have vents that short circuit with the exhaust vent just above it. So you have no choice but to "fill" the available spaces with fans to try and get enough airflow. Looking at some of those cases, the vent placement is just bad.
I'd like to see smoke/airflow tests to see how much of the air is wasted due to poor fan placement.
Malenko:
if youre only having 1, a blow hole fan up top will be more efficient then one at the bottom pulling cooler air in.
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