Many people are surprised to find out the direction of the fans in their case matters. This includes built-in fans, like the one on the power supply unit.
While the PSU fans are there to help keep the unit itself cool, they also help with overall temperature management in the case.Installing them the rightway will help them do their job even better.
Does the Direction of the PSU Fan Matter?
A lot of taking care of your computer comes down to temperature management. Because your CPU, GPU, and other components get so hot, thetemperature inside your computer case climbs fast. That heat can inhibit your computer’s ability to work because your PC can only handle so much heat. At a certain point, it starts not working as well.
Your PSU fan is one element of the cooling system in your computer. Its orientation affects how well heat is removed from the case. It also can help pull more cool air in to take some of the stress off your components. While you have other fans in the case that are more important, you should still think about how you place your PSU.
Why Does the PSU Have a Fan?
Most people install the PSU at the bottom back of the computer. That installation area doesn’t provide much space for extra cooling, including fans. If the PSU didn’t have one built-in, it would be even more challenging to manage the heat in that area of the case.
By including a fan, people building computers can readily have more fans in the case. They’re positioned perfectly to help keep the PSU cool while also providing a boost to cooling for the rest of your case. It’s an excellent reason to have fans.
What Kind of Fan Do Most PSUs Have?
Most power supply units have an intake fan that draws in the air rather than expelling it. This means that it’s sucking air in. The back of the unit generally has an exhaust fan that also vents the air out of the case.
Because of this, you want the intake fan to be directed at a source of cool air from outside the case. The air pulled in will help cool your hot components, while the exhaust fan on the back of the PSU will help remove hot air from the case.
How to Position PSU the Best Way?
The PSU has an intake fan on one side of the unit and an exhaust fan on the back. When you install it in your case, the exhaust fan should be facing the back of the tower.
The intake fan should be facing the bottom of the case, where the air is cooler than inside the case. It will pull that cool air into the case, bringing down the overall temperature.
This is the best way to position it for the best possible cooling. However, there are other options to consider depending on your situation.
