Is power supply orientation really that big of a deal?

Thomas-18

Prominent
Jun 25, 2017
30
0
530
Is it really that big of a deal if I have my power supply fan orientation in my computer case facing down on carpeted floor instead of facing up in my computer case. It just works better for me because with the power supply fan orientation facing down the cable are closer to the routing hole at the bottom of my case and the power supply cables can also reach further. It just makes cable management easier and it looks more clean in my opinion. I just want to know am I really doing my power supply any harm with it facing down? I have this specific power supply from Corsair if that helps at all http://www.corsair.com/en-us/cx-series-cx650m-650-watt-80-plus-bronze-certified-modular-atx-psu-na. I'm just afraid that I'm doing my power supply any harm by facing it down on carpeted floors. I don't want the power supply to fail and take other components with it because I have quite a expensive gaming computer. If I absolutely shouldn't have my power supply facing down on carpeted floor is there any items I can use as case feet to lift my computer up a little bit up off the floor? Please help. Thanks.
 
Solution
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As long as your case has ventilation cutouts and is elevated enough to get air it's fine for the power supply to face down. Just make sure you blow it out more often.

My power supply faces down on a carpeted floor but my case is elevated a bit( NZXT Phantom 820 ) and has a bottom filter over the cut out.

Many newer cases are designed for the fan to face down. That's why they have cutouts and filters.
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Deleted member 217926

Guest
As long as your case has ventilation cutouts and is elevated enough to get air it's fine for the power supply to face down. Just make sure you blow it out more often.

My power supply faces down on a carpeted floor but my case is elevated a bit( NZXT Phantom 820 ) and has a bottom filter over the cut out.

Many newer cases are designed for the fan to face down. That's why they have cutouts and filters.
 
Solution
If it want it facing down, and that is the best way.

On carpet it is best to put down something hard like a piece of plywood under it or something of that sort to make a separation between the bottom of the case and the carpet.

I normally have all my PC's elevated above floor level on a stand or in a desk etc.
 

TheDoog

Commendable
Dec 9, 2016
62
0
1,660
Simple answer no as long as there is nothing blocking the fan for the PSU that is.

Complicated answer is it depends a whole lot on the case itself. Is it on top of the case or is it on the bottom of the case? Does the case have holes in it to allow the PSU to pull air in from the outside of the case and if it does is that hole have a filter on it? If it's on the top would you like to use the PSU as an extra exhaust fan or not? If it's on the bottom how much clearance is there from where the PSU opening is to the ground? Is it going to be sitting on carpet or a hard surface.
 

bailojustin

Distinguished
What you have set up is most likely much better for your current situation.

Reason 1 (the main reason): Your PSU has the fan facing down, drawing cool air up and blowing it onto the components then directly out the back, dust can't settle nearly as much on the PCB or internals VS fan top : board bottom.

Some more information.
Also the fan is fine mounted in either position, the bearings are designed this way, but upon some research the lubricant systems in ball bearing fans - which are based on grease channeling - can fail slowly over time, causing a gradual increase in noise. To add to it, when the fan is mounted down like you have it, due to the nature of the lubrication, it would be "contained" within the fan. Less friction because the fan is not being pushed by gravity on the axis of the fan.

Some more juicy information. So Almost all of PSU fans ARE designed to be HIGH Static Pressure Fans, you can tell this typically by looking at the width of the blades. These fans are DESIGNED to pull air through tight confined spaces, like being mounted how yours is. With it mounted upwards it kind of defeats the purpose of the SP fans, and higher CFM fans would be more efficient due to the open nature in my opinion. SP helps cool the board mounted components at greater efficiency then blowing air over it.

Edit: PSU that is mounted how you have it. https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4592/antec_hcg_620m_620_watt_power_supply_review/index3.html
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Most cases with a bottom mount PSU are designed to have it sucking air in from the bottom.

The only problems with a downfacing PSU fan on a carpeted floor is the dust suckage, and air blockage if the carpet is deep enough.

Put it on a piece of wood to prevent the blockage.
Not much you can do about the dust.
 
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Deleted member 217926

Guest
One of the reasons I love my case.

Front:

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Rear:

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