Will 120mm Front Panel work for me?

spikeee · 07-11-2007, 10:57 AM

Guys, i want to put a 120mm fan in the front panel for intake.

Problem is that my casing doesn't have any holes in the front EXCEPT the panel for usb/audio/mic/firewire (which aren't plugged in, except for the usb ports). There are empty holes there which enable some air to go through

Question :

if i put the 120mm there and expect it to take air in from those empty holes, will it work?

dai · 07-11-2007, 01:12 PM

can you fit it low down on the side panel at the front of the case and you will need a 120 at the rear exhausting

**TheMatt** · 07-11-2007, 02:45 PM

An intake at the side over the CPU heatsink is also a good place for an intake fan. Even a side air duct without a fan is good if you have a rear fan exhausting. Remember, you need more CFM of exhaust than of intake.

**kodi** · 07-11-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spikeee

Question :

if i put the 120mm there and expect it to take air in from those empty holes, will it work?

NO it will not work, you need proper ventilation in the front of your case for it to work.
Some cases have an opening at the bottom between the steel case and the plastic clip on facia if yours has this then it will draw the air upwards from there.

spikeee · 07-11-2007, 11:50 PM

ok this is my current setup :

80mm side (top) fan - intake
92mm rear fan - intake
120mm PSU fan (top) - outake
i have ventilation holes at side (bottom) panel
250gb HDD cooler fans (dual fans)
CPU fan

i want to add a 120mm front panel (bottom) - 110cfm (max)

i don't have any holes in front except for the multimedia empty holes.

btw i thought more intake than outake is better? (less dust accumulation?)
please advice! thanks!

**kodi** · 07-12-2007, 12:03 AM

You need to get the air to flow across the Case
Reverse the rear fan to blow out and then install a front fan blowing in.
Your side and top fans are alright as they are.
You must have some type of ventilation holes to allow the air to be drawn into the case at the front,may have to buy a dremel or a drill

spikeee · 07-12-2007, 12:28 AM

oh ok, so i should reverse the rear fan, making it :

INTAKE :

120mm (90-110cfm)
80mm (30-40 cfm)

OUTAKE :
92mm (50-60cfm)
120mm (dynamic fan)

isn't the multimedia ventilation holes enough? :s

**kodi** · 07-12-2007, 12:50 AM

Sorry but they wont do the job,it's just like drinking with a straw you can suck all you like but you only get a restricted flow
If you can't get holes in the front save your money and but a case with holes in the right places,they don't have to be expensive to do the job

spikeee · 07-12-2007, 12:57 AM

i guess i'll have to send it for modding.
what happens if i put the 120mm there anyway for the mean time? will there be any negative impact?

**kodi** · 07-12-2007, 02:55 AM

Can you post some photo's of the inside and outside of the case where you are trying to install the fan.
You will be just wasting your time fitting the fan as it has to draw air from somewhere to be effective and by your description you don't have that.

spikeee · 07-12-2007, 02:59 AM

hmm ok i'll go home and get some pics for you guys to see! thanks for your advice!

if i install it anyway first, doesn't i help circulate air in the casing?

dai · 07-12-2007, 11:38 AM

yes but you may as well do the job corrctly in the first place

spikeee · 07-12-2007, 11:40 AM

yes i understand that, but to do the job correctly, i would either need to :

1) purchase a new casing
2) mod the casing to have front grills/cagings

i doubt i'll do number 1 because i just bought this casing. anyhow both require money, and i'm very tight for now - so i was hoping for advice on how best to make do for now :)

dai · 07-12-2007, 12:08 PM

all you need is a electric drill and small drill bit for a guide hole and a large drill bit to enlarge them and be sure you do not drill any cable or leave bits of metal lying around

spikeee · 07-12-2007, 11:01 PM

erm i don't think i'll meddle with the casing - i was thinking of just sending it to people who do modding and they'd do it for me.

so how can i make do for now, without the front panel holes?

**TheMatt** · 07-13-2007, 07:28 AM

Is there a place on the side panel at the bottom front or over the CPU heatsink for a fan? If there is, put a fan blowing in there.

spikeee · 07-13-2007, 12:51 PM

ok my fans just arrived and this is what i've currently configured :

1) front panel intake (120mm)
2) side panel intake (80mm)
3) rear panel intake (92mm)
4) psu top fan outake (120mm)

what say you guys?

**TheMatt** · 07-13-2007, 01:44 PM

You want the rear panel to be an exhaust. Other than that it is good.

**magnethead** · 07-13-2007, 05:51 PM

also, why is there an intake on the top? heat rises, i thought all top fans should be exhaust?

**TheMatt** · 07-13-2007, 06:12 PM

No, like I said, you need more exhaust than intake. Rear fans and top fans are always exhaust, side fans are always intake, and front fans are intake 99% of the time.

07-11-2007, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? Guys, i want to put a 120mm fan in the front panel for intake. Problem is that my casing doesn't have any holes in the front EXCEPT the panel for usb/audio/mic/firewire (which aren't plugged in, except for the usb ports). There are empty holes there which enable some air to go through Question : if i put the 120mm there and expect it to take air in from those empty holes, will it work?

07-11-2007, 01:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? can you fit it low down on the side panel at the front of the case and you will need a 120 at the rear exhausting __________________

07-11-2007, 02:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? An intake at the side over the CPU heatsink is also a good place for an intake fan. Even a side air duct without a fan is good if you have a rear fan exhausting. Remember, you need more CFM of exhaust than of intake. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-11-2007, 11:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? ok this is my current setup : 80mm side (top) fan - intake 92mm rear fan - intake 120mm PSU fan (top) - outake i have ventilation holes at side (bottom) panel 250gb HDD cooler fans (dual fans) CPU fan i want to add a 120mm front panel (bottom) - 110cfm (max) i don't have any holes in front except for the multimedia empty holes. btw i thought more intake than outake is better? (less dust accumulation?) please advice! thanks!

07-12-2007, 12:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? You need to get the air to flow across the Case Reverse the rear fan to blow out and then install a front fan blowing in. Your side and top fans are alright as they are. You must have some type of ventilation holes to allow the air to be drawn into the case at the front,may have to buy a dremel or a drill __________________ Brian

07-12-2007, 12:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? oh ok, so i should reverse the rear fan, making it : INTAKE : 120mm (90-110cfm) 80mm (30-40 cfm) OUTAKE : 92mm (50-60cfm) 120mm (dynamic fan) isn't the multimedia ventilation holes enough? :s

07-12-2007, 12:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? Sorry but they wont do the job,it's just like drinking with a straw you can suck all you like but you only get a restricted flow If you can't get holes in the front save your money and but a case with holes in the right places,they don't have to be expensive to do the job __________________ Brian

07-12-2007, 12:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? i guess i'll have to send it for modding. what happens if i put the 120mm there anyway for the mean time? will there be any negative impact?

07-12-2007, 02:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,396 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? Can you post some photo's of the inside and outside of the case where you are trying to install the fan. You will be just wasting your time fitting the fan as it has to draw air from somewhere to be effective and by your description you don't have that. __________________ Brian

07-12-2007, 02:59 AM	#11 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? hmm ok i'll go home and get some pics for you guys to see! thanks for your advice! if i install it anyway first, doesn't i help circulate air in the casing?

07-12-2007, 11:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? yes but you may as well do the job corrctly in the first place __________________

07-12-2007, 11:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? yes i understand that, but to do the job correctly, i would either need to : 1) purchase a new casing 2) mod the casing to have front grills/cagings i doubt i'll do number 1 because i just bought this casing. anyhow both require money, and i'm very tight for now - so i was hoping for advice on how best to make do for now :)

07-12-2007, 12:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,539 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? all you need is a electric drill and small drill bit for a guide hole and a large drill bit to enlarge them and be sure you do not drill any cable or leave bits of metal lying around __________________

07-12-2007, 11:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? erm i don't think i'll meddle with the casing - i was thinking of just sending it to people who do modding and they'd do it for me. so how can i make do for now, without the front panel holes?

07-13-2007, 07:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? Is there a place on the side panel at the bottom front or over the CPU heatsink for a fan? If there is, put a fan blowing in there. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-13-2007, 12:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
spikeee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 118 OS: Win XP Pro	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? ok my fans just arrived and this is what i've currently configured : 1) front panel intake (120mm) 2) side panel intake (80mm) 3) rear panel intake (92mm) 4) psu top fan outake (120mm) what say you guys?

07-13-2007, 01:44 PM	#18 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? You want the rear panel to be an exhaust. Other than that it is good. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-13-2007, 05:51 PM	#19 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? also, why is there an intake on the top? heat rises, i thought all top fans should be exhaust? __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

07-13-2007, 06:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Will 120mm Front Panel work for me? No, like I said, you need more exhaust than intake. Rear fans and top fans are always exhaust, side fans are always intake, and front fans are intake 99% of the time. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides