Why does my PSU fan blow air out?

InfernalSurge · Sep 5, 2015

Hi, my XFX TS 650W is blowing air out, but shouldn't shouldn't the fan be an intake? My PSU is bottom mounted and the fan is currently facing down. What would be the best mounting position for it? My case is a HAF 912 and it stands on hardwood floor.

Joseph DeGarmo · Sep 5, 2015

Your PSU should be installed right side up (fan pointing upward). The fan will suck hot air from the GPU and blow it out at the rear.

InfernalSurge · Sep 5, 2015

Joseph DeGarmo :

Thanks for the reply. The thing is, my PSU's big fan seems to be blowing air out instead of sucking in... Should I still mount it with the fan facing upward? Btw, my PSU is unusually loud, don't know what's going on but this seems to be common with XFX PSUs.

*Edit nvm, just tested with a paper, my PSU fan is sucking in air. So should I put the fan facing up or down?

geofelt · Sep 5, 2015

The job of a psu fan is to cool the psu only.
It has no part in case cooling.
The intake is the fan opening, and the exhaust is to the rear of the psu.
Dangle a piece of toilet paper near each opening to verify correct operation.

The case is designed to have the psu intake on the bottom.
On a hardwood floor is good, it allows sufficient air to enter assuming that your case has some feet that raises the case a cm or so above the floor.
If the case did not come with them, a hardware store sells stick on furniture casters that does the job nicely.

A psu operates equally well right side up or upside down, your choice.
But, If the intake is inside the case, the psu will draw in warmer air than it needs to.

tech-wreck · Sep 5, 2015

joseph degarmo is spot on. fan upwards toward GPU.

madmatt30 · Sep 5, 2015

^ no he's not - in a bottom mount case that has a grill the PSU fan should point down to isolate it from the rest of the pc.

Archaic59 · Sep 5, 2015

tech-wreck :

If the case has vent holes in the bottom for the PSU then the fan should be facing down to pull cool air in and exhaust out the back.

tech-wreck · Sep 5, 2015

ah, missed the last line of the OP. if the case has vents underneath, use them to draw in fresh air.

but not really a problem either way, the GPU fan will be sucking in as well so the PSU won't be pulling in hot air.

sometimes i think faster than i can read... my bad

Unolocogringo · Sep 5, 2015

The 912 has bottom vent and filter for the power supply.
It should be mounted with the fan facing down.
Make sure the filter is clean being that close to the floor will cause it to clog with dust very fast..

Joseph DeGarmo · Sep 5, 2015

If the case has front fans sucking in fresh air, you will be fine placing the PSU fan up. If the GPU is a blower design, then it will suck in air and blow it out of the rear. Letting the PSU with the fan upside down could actually be sucking in dust.

InfernalSurge · Sep 5, 2015

Thanks for the explanations everyone! I understand the PSU fan is sucking air in, but where/how exactly does it blow air out?

Archaic59 · Sep 5, 2015

Out the back grill where the power cord is.

Unolocogringo · Sep 5, 2015

The rear of the case where the electrical/power plug plugs into it. You should feel warm air exiting the rear of the power supply.
The rear BOTTOM of the case has a removable filter for the power supply. If it is dirty and clogged with dust the fan will run much faster and louder to try to cool itself.

InfernalSurge · Sep 5, 2015

Archaic59 :

Hm, I can barely feel it, I have to use a piece of toilet paper to test it and it seems to be blowing only a TINY bit. Is this normal?

InfernalSurge · Sep 5, 2015

Unolocogringo :

I cleaned all case dust filter yesterday, but my PSU is still running very loud

It seems that many XFX users are experiencing abnormally loud fans as well.

geofelt · Sep 5, 2015

You have a strong psu of excellent quality.
Such a unit will not need to work hard and will not create heat which needs to be expelled.
I would not worry at all, even if you get no airflow at all.
The fan will not turn on unless it is needed.
--------------bottom line----------------
Not to worry.

Dark Lord of Tech · Sep 5, 2015

If your case has a ventilation grrill at the bottom for PSU fan.

Joseph DeGarmo · Sep 5, 2015

InfernalSurge :

Yeah, I've been wondering why my new Seasonic PSU is much quieter than my old XFX PSU even with the fan mode on normal. That explains why XFX PSUs are cheaper. :lol:

InfernalSurge · Sep 6, 2015

geofelt :

I thought it was a high quality unit too, but the fan is just SOOOOOOO damn loud, I mean almost as loud as an AMD stock cooler. I don't know if it's faulty, or simply a common flaw among XFX PSU fans.

InfernalSurge · Sep 6, 2015

Joseph DeGarmo :

InfernalSurge :

Yeah, I've been wondering why my new Seasonic PSU is much quieter than my old XFX PSU even with the fan mode on normal. That explains why XFX PSUs are cheaper. :lol:

I might RMA mine, but if I were to get a new one, do you have any suggestions for a quiet 650-750W PSU in the $100 CAD (or lower) price range? PSUs are expensive in Canada

Why does my PSU fan blow air out?

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