Turns out case fans have arrows on them.

[fanpeople]

So I gave my computer a deep clean today and discovered that my front 140mm fan was facing the wrong way. This  explains the lack of dust build up around that area but that is not the point. Anyway, as a computer noob who likes to swap out bits and pieces the issue of which way air is pushed has come up multiple times. Every time I go through the process of Googling it, plugging in fans and turning the computer on so as to feel for direction. This has gone on  for a few years. Finally I figured out that the support frame sitting against the case means the air is pushed out that way. As I was wiping down front fan I noticed it had two arrows on it. One points to the direction of airflow and the other points the direction of travel for the fan blade. I thought wow Phanteks that is a nice touch, I wonder if the other fan has this arrow system. So I check the Aerocool fan and boom there it is more arrows. I check the other fan and yes you guessed it ARROWS.

Wish I figured out that fans had arrows on them 4 years ago, instead of feeling for direction every time like a twinky.

Oh also learnt that just because you use one of those SSD caddy devices with the tray to slide it in, does not mean you are excused from screwing the SSD to the tray. Had to use tongs to get that sucker out.


Anything else I should know?

[absyrd]

[suicidal_orange]

A lack of observational skills may cause you issues in other areas of life but when it comes to computers if it works you're doing it right, and if you do it really wrong your nose will alert you to the foul stench of magic smoke being released from whatever you just killed and you'll never make that mistake again.

I wonder how your computer worked with negative pressure though - less air in the case means less air to absorb heat.  Unless your case has vents in low down in which case it might have worked nearly as well as with the fan blowing the "right" way...

[Jokrik]

I didn't know about the arrow thing too
but than from my watercooling experience, what you only want to know about fan is positive air pressure, and how much they can move air in a certain amount of time
more air movement meaning the air in the case will be replaced faster resulting in a cooler environment in the case

in regards with watercooling, you need to know how different fan reacts to different fin density of the radiator

but yeah, keeping positive air pressure after all these years and I never have to worry about dust in my case anymore (always filter the intake)

[Findecanor]

These days, connectors are keyed and fans have arrows and such.

I had to completely disassemble an old Dolch 486 computer to be able to do repairs to the case... and when I assembled it again, I noticed that I did not know how to reconnect everything properly. "Hmm.. Is this a fan header?"
Of course I did not have any motherboard manual. Soo... It is now sitting unused.

[absyrd]

[fanpeople]

A lack of observational skills may cause you issues in other areas of life but when it comes to computers if it works you're doing it right, and if you do it really wrong your nose will alert you to the foul stench of magic smoke being released from whatever you just killed and you'll never make that mistake again.

I wonder how your computer worked with negative pressure though - less air in the case means less air to absorb heat.  Unless your case has vents in low down in which case it might have worked nearly as well as with the fan blowing the "right" way...

I guess I just never took the time to stare at the side of a case fan long enough to notice until I had the clean the balls out of it. My PSU is a Seasonic 760 Platinum so the fan does not kick in until it needs to, and I have never seen it start up. I did notice a lot of dust buildup on the outside of the PSU vent so I am assuming air was being sucked in through the PSU. It was most certainly more dusty then usual. Also winter in Straya up until not that long ago so room temp was generally quite low.

[fanpeople]

(always filter the intake)

I do use filters but it probably doesn't help that there are two massive fan holes at the top of my case acting as the entrance to a gaping dust circus. I have not done anything about this because I keep telling myself it is a temporary case anyway and that I will get a new one soon, for 2 years.

[fanpeople]

These days, connectors are keyed and fans have arrows and such.

I had to completely disassemble an old Dolch 486 computer to be able to do repairs to the case... and when I assembled it again, I noticed that I did not know how to reconnect everything properly. "Hmm.. Is this a fan header?"
Of course I did not have any motherboard manual. Soo... It is now sitting unused.

Man that sucks, surely there is some vintage computer forum with someone who could help you out?

[fanpeople]

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Your input is noted. Thank you.

[katushkin]

Dat quad post tho

[fanpeople]

Dat quad post tho

Yeah I know, thought about that after the fact. Just woke up and dropped the ball. I am sure the server can handle it. We live life, make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.

[katushkin]

Dat quad post tho

Yeah I know, thought about that after the fact. Just woke up and dropped the ball. I am sure the server can handle it. We live life, make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.

It's alright, I just wondered why the thread was still unread after every time I checked the thread thought you might be using tapatalk or something

[tp4tissue]

Not all fans have the arrow

Look at the Fins,

The air goes IN the Convex (dome) side,  and out through the Concave (swoop) side.

[Jokrik]

Not all fans have the arrow

Look at the Fins,

The air goes IN the Convex (dome) side,  and out through the Concave (swoop) side.

too much science
brain cant handle

my take:
where they stick the sticker (usually), the one with voltage, logo, etc is the out flow

[tp4tissue]

Not all fans have the arrow

Look at the Fins,

The air goes IN the Convex (dome) side,  and out through the Concave (swoop) side.

too much science
brain cant handle

my take:
where they stick the sticker (usually), the one with voltage, logo, etc is the out flow

This is true on most NEW fans..  there are still exceptions though,  but mostly older fans..

[jamster]

too much science
brain cant handle

my take:
where they stick the sticker (usually), the one with voltage, logo, etc is the out flow

I've noticed something like this too, but I can never keep track of it so I have to check each time.

I've looked at lot of fans, generic Chinese ones, Thermaltakes, Antecs off memory. I have looked for something obvious like arrows, never seen any.

[jamster]

I do use filters but it probably doesn't help that there are two massive fan holes at the top of my case acting as the entrance to a gaping dust circus. I have not done anything about this because I keep telling myself it is a temporary case anyway and that I will get a new one soon, for 2 years.

The 140mm fan is probably supposed to create positive pressure within the case. If it is filtered and blowing in the right direction, you will massively cut down on dust regardless of the other fan holes.

My case has big exit holes on top and the rear, but because the intake fans are filtered and the case runs positive pressure, I have never had to dust out the case once, and it's been in use for five years.

I use 3M Filtrete for the intake fans.

[fanpeople]

I've looked at lot of fans, generic Chinese ones, Thermaltakes, Antecs off memory. I have looked for something obvious like arrows, never seen any.

It might be common on newer fans, all the fans that I have were purchased no greater than 4 years ago. I just checked my pile of fans and the only ones that don't are the Phobya slim fans. Time for show and tell, not that anyone could be that interested in case fans lol.

Bitfenix fan

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Generic Cooler Master fan

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Less generic Cooler Master fan

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and finally Aerocool, with the arrow scheme similar to the Phanteks fan

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The funny thing is that the markings in the corner are just not that noticeable it kinda seems like a waste of time even having it there. I guess you can't accuse a manufacturer of killing your computer from incorrect placement if it is printed on the fan.

 

[fanpeople]

The 140mm fan is probably supposed to create positive pressure within the case. If it is filtered and blowing in the right direction, you will massively cut down on dust regardless of the other fan holes.

My case has big exit holes on top and the rear, but because the intake fans are filtered and the case runs positive pressure, I have never had to dust out the case once, and it's been in use for five years.

I use 3M Filtrete for the intake fans.

That was the purpose of the 140mm fan, I replaced the original which was a 120mm. I think i will put another intake in somewhere to get a decent positive pressure. Dremel time.

Not all fans have the arrow

Look at the Fins,

The air goes IN the Convex (dome) side,  and out through the Concave (swoop) side.

Also tp, most likely the one assured method without plugging in to test.

[fanpeople]

Update, second fan installed in the front. I used one of those front push out covers and just drilled some holes/dremeled a semi-circle and applied some rubber u-mold. Also filter on back. Will get cloth tape tomorrow so seal gaps around the edges.

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Hopefully less dust now?

[tp4tissue]

I do use filters but it probably doesn't help that there are two massive fan holes at the top of my case acting as the entrance to a gaping dust circus. I have not done anything about this because I keep telling myself it is a temporary case anyway and that I will get a new one soon, for 2 years.

The 140mm fan is probably supposed to create positive pressure within the case. If it is filtered and blowing in the right direction, you will massively cut down on dust regardless of the other fan holes.

My case has big exit holes on top and the rear, but because the intake fans are filtered and the case runs positive pressure, I have never had to dust out the case once, and it's been in use for five years.

I use 3M Filtrete for the intake fans.

whaa....

Are you getting good flow using the filtrete ?

I've noticed that computer fans don't have enough pressure for furnace filter material..

Pressure is very low.

[jamster]

It might be common on newer fans, all the fans that I have were purchased no greater than 4 years ago. I just checked my pile of fans and the only ones that don't are the Phobya slim fans. Time for show and tell, not that anyone could be that interested in case fans lol.

The funny thing is that the markings in the corner are just not that noticeable it kinda seems like a waste of time even having it there. I guess you can't accuse a manufacturer of killing your computer from incorrect placement if it is printed on the fan.

Holy crap, you are right. I just went through my small collection of larger fans (8cm and above, I have random smaller ones scattered all over the place) and four of them (Scythe, Thermaltake, two generic Chinese brands) had really hard to notice arrows. Another two fans (generic Chinese) were missing indicators. Fans are 2-4 years old.

[jamster]

whaa....

Are you getting good flow using the filtrete ?

I've noticed that computer fans don't have enough pressure for furnace filter material..

Pressure is very low.

I'm not sure what Filtrete is in the US, the stuff sold in Asia is really thin and designed to be slapped into wall-mounted air conditioners. It doesn't impede airflow much.

I have no idea what a furnace filter is...

[tp4tissue]

whaa....

Are you getting good flow using the filtrete ?

I've noticed that computer fans don't have enough pressure for furnace filter material..

Pressure is very low.

I'm not sure what Filtrete is in the US, the stuff sold in Asia is really thin and designed to be slapped into wall-mounted air conditioners. It doesn't impede airflow much.

I have no idea what a furnace filter is...

could you link to the filter ur using?

I've tried from Merv 8 ,  essentially even that is too restrictive for computer fans..

[fohat.digs]

because I keep telling myself it is a temporary case anyway and that I will get a new one soon, for 2 years.

Get a really good case. If you have space and don't move often, get a massive full tower and build new parts into it one-by-one.

I started doing this a decade ago and I am certain that every single component in my computer has been replaced at least once, most 2-3 times or more. About every 3 years, when the motherboard is due, I completely dis-assemble it and clean it thoroughly.

With this method, upgrade costs can be contained in the $50-$200 range (per instance) and you can stay up to date painlessly.

I am to the point where I would love to get a new case (mine has half a dozen fans, but all are 80mm, and the USB and audio sockets are on the top rather than the front (it was a "server" model I suppose)) but I am still waiting for just the right one.

[cmadrid]

because I keep telling myself it is a temporary case anyway and that I will get a new one soon, for 2 years.

Get a really good case. If you have space and don't move often, get a massive full tower and build new parts into it one-by-one.

I started doing this a decade ago and I am certain that every single component in my computer has been replaced at least once, most 2-3 times or more. About every 3 years, when the motherboard is due, I completely dis-assemble it and clean it thoroughly.

With this method, upgrade costs can be contained in the $50-$200 range (per instance) and you can stay up to date painlessly.

I am to the point where I would love to get a new case (mine has half a dozen fans, but all are 80mm, and the USB and audio sockets are on the top rather than the front (it was a "server" model I suppose)) but I am still waiting for just the right one.

Get a case from CaseLabs.. you can pick the parts you want and get just the right one

[Elrick]

Get a really good case. If you have space and don't move often, get a massive full tower and build new parts into it one-by-one.

I started doing this a decade ago and I am certain that every single component in my computer has been replaced at least once, most 2-3 times or more. About every 3 years, when the motherboard is due, I completely dis-assemble it and clean it thoroughly.

Always get a Lian Li case in a large size and you should have something that will last for years.  I have one older Lian Li that has seen a total of 12 motherboard replacements throughout it's life and I intend upgrading till the day I die.

Have steered towards Intel in the last couple of years but may swing back to AMD simply because I hate having multitudes of similar hardware throughout my house.  Also for the person who didn't know what direction a fan would blow, I have an old pentium motherboard which I use as a test rig for hardware, to see if items I bought actually worked so I usually attach a fan to one of it's headers and watch the fan spin, easy enough.

Don't feel embarrassed because early models of Deltas and San Aces didn't come with directional arrows on their frames.

[fanpeople]

Get a case from CaseLabs.. you can pick the parts you want and get just the right one

I just had a look they are some nice cases. I like the simple design. Do you have one? I am just wondering if they are a solid build like they appear in the photos? Or if they are have the standard case feel/build.

[fohat.digs]

Mine is a "Maxtek" which was made by "Casetek" and is in it that bulletproof/hernia category of cases that just won't give up.

I particularly like the slide-in brackets and mounting hardware throughout, and the nice washable fan filters.

I also have an even heavier and larger case that is likely close to 2 decades old, even more massive and solid, but there are no markings or identifications on it at all. But the Maxtek has the better mix of size and features.

[fanpeople]

Mine is a "Maxtek" which was made by "Casetek" and is in it that bulletproof/hernia category of cases that just won't give up.

I particularly like the slide-in brackets and mounting hardware throughout, and the nice washable fan filters.

I also have an even heavier and larger case that is likely close to 2 decades old, even more massive and solid, but there are no markings or identifications on it at all. But the Maxtek has the better mix of size and features.

Have you got any photos? it sounds interesting

[rowdy]

I've known about the arrows on fans for a while.  But what about fans with non-standard cabling?

I have a rack-mount switch that has 3 fans on one side.  One was getting a bit noisy, so I purchased a replacement fan.  60mm or something, slightly smaller than usual.  I plugged it in, turned it on, and was surprised to see smoke coming out of it!

A closer inspection of the other fans (different coloured cables) and a few guesses and I worked out that some pins were swapped around in the plug.

I swapped pins on another spare fan I had bought, plugged it in, and it worked!

I never knew fans had smoke in them before!

[fohat.digs]

Have you got any photos? it sounds interesting

Not immediately available. You have to wire these things up in the corner behind the desk and leave them for months at a time, otherwise you injure your back.

And, being ancient, they are strictly beige throughout. I am sure that 99% of modern cases are black, if not worse.

Approximately along the lines of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AT-Computer-Case-Full-Tower-Server-Build-IBM-PC-386-486-Pentium-DOS-Box-/181892234701?hash=item2a599f3dcd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antec-File-Server-Case-Full-computer-tower-Case-/261570380612?hash=item3ce6cf4344

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SERVER-COMPUTER-CASE-CHASSIS-FROM-STORM-SERIES-S8-FOR-SALE-/301733605907?hash=item4640b97213

[tp4tissue]

Get a case from CaseLabs.. you can pick the parts you want and get just the right one

I just had a look they are some nice cases. I like the simple design. Do you have one? I am just wondering if they are a solid build like they appear in the photos? Or if they are have the standard case feel/build.

The smaller caselab cases are fine..

But the large ones are poorly conceived.

The gravitational stress of those panels were not taken into account,  therefore, despite the large gross weight,   the case is actually quite flimsy.. and not structurally sound..


The main frame is too light and thin.

[tp4tissue]

Have you got any photos? it sounds interesting

Not immediately available. You have to wire these things up in the corner behind the desk and leave them for months at a time, otherwise you injure your back.

And, being ancient, they are strictly beige throughout. I am sure that 99% of modern cases are black, if not worse.

Approximately along the lines of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AT-Computer-Case-Full-Tower-Server-Build-IBM-PC-386-486-Pentium-DOS-Box-/181892234701?hash=item2a599f3dcd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antec-File-Server-Case-Full-computer-tower-Case-/261570380612?hash=item3ce6cf4344

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SERVER-COMPUTER-CASE-CHASSIS-FROM-STORM-SERIES-S8-FOR-SALE-/301733605907?hash=item4640b97213

These are solidly built, thick steel n' all..  but the layout isn't good for the new mobos.. and you have to cut some fan slots yourself. if you want silent 120/140mm cooling..

Most of the old stuff weren't designed for high flow.

[fohat.digs]

you have to cut some fan slots yourself. if you want silent 120/140mm cooling..

Most of the old stuff weren't designed for high flow.

Mine is not exactly like any of those. I have 2 fans at lower front (the ones with the nice filters), 2 high in the back, one on the side over the CPU, and one in the top. I have the front 2 blowing in, and all the others blowing out.

And it is surprisingly quiet in spite of all those 80mm fans spinning pretty fast.

[jamster]

whaa....

Are you getting good flow using the filtrete ?

I've noticed that computer fans don't have enough pressure for furnace filter material..

Pressure is very low.

I'm not sure what Filtrete is in the US, the stuff sold in Asia is really thin and designed to be slapped into wall-mounted air conditioners. It doesn't impede airflow much.

I have no idea what a furnace filter is...

could you link to the filter ur using?

I've tried from Merv 8 ,  essentially even that is too restrictive for computer fans..

http://solutions.3m.com.hk/wps/portal/3M/en_HK/Filtrete_Home/Main/Product/AirCleaningFilter/

Sorry, all it shows is the packaging. It's kind of like a fluffy mesh sheet.

[tp4tissue]

whaa....

Are you getting good flow using the filtrete ?

I've noticed that computer fans don't have enough pressure for furnace filter material..

Pressure is very low.

I'm not sure what Filtrete is in the US, the stuff sold in Asia is really thin and designed to be slapped into wall-mounted air conditioners. It doesn't impede airflow much.

I have no idea what a furnace filter is...

could you link to the filter ur using?

I've tried from Merv 8 ,  essentially even that is too restrictive for computer fans..

http://solutions.3m.com.hk/wps/portal/3M/en_HK/Filtrete_Home/Main/Product/AirCleaningFilter/

Sorry, all it shows is the packaging. It's kind of like a fluffy mesh sheet.

Hrrrrmmm.....  I will try this... and let u know in  a month

[divito]

Could always do the easy thing and turn on the computer to see which direction it blows.

[tufty]

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[SamirD]

These days, connectors are keyed and fans have arrows and such.

I had to completely disassemble an old Dolch 486 computer to be able to do repairs to the case... and when I assembled it again, I noticed that I did not know how to reconnect everything properly. "Hmm.. Is this a fan header?"
Of course I did not have any motherboard manual. Soo... It is now sitting unused.

Man that sucks, surely there is some vintage computer forum with someone who could help you out?

I could probably help with that.  Built several computers of that era.