[system]

Recently, I got a Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu LED as a heatsink/fan for my Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz Northwood.



I was very impressed by its ability to reduce the fan noise that I was suffering from my original Intel stock heatsink/fan.
The FAN MATE 2 came in pretty handy to control the fan speed as well.
The current setting is on "Silent Mode".

However, the PSU fan noise is still a MAJOR concern that needs to be replaced.
I have been doing some extensive search in www.silentpcreview.com forums, but couldn't find a clear answer that explains my current situation.

My ATX case is very limited in space and that's where my problem begins.
The website above highly recommended Seasonic S12-430, but the fan position is something I have to take into consideration.



As you can see, the PSU fan is not "straight-through".
If I install this, the PSU fan will be blowing out the air directly into the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu LED.
Yes, both fans will be facing each other!
The PSU fan will be blowing-out hot air to the CPU heatsink while the CPU fan is already sucking-in air to the heatsink at the same time.

So, I figured I will be better off getting a traditional "straight-through" unit and that's where Antec NeoHE 430 comes into the picture.



As you can see from the topic, the motherboard is Asus P4PE. (can you say old school?)

My other question is will Antec NeoHE 430 be compatible with this motherboard?
Since the PSU is fairly a new product, i'm not sure if it will function properly with my current motherboard.

Any case modders or quiet PC folks out there, hit me back.

[boka]

i would say that all PSUs push air out of the case... i mean it'd be illogical if it were the other way around...

i heard something about the NeoHE being better for future systems because it supports ATX2.2, meaning more functional 12V rails at the expense of 5 and 3V, but this shouldn't be a problem at all with most current systems... so yeah, the NeoHE should do you fine

[awdark]

Yeah, that 120mm fan sucks lol

I have a Forton in the other computer that goes for that same design and the 120mm on the bottom blows out.

Just make sure your case allows for that psu... my case was werid and made me put it in upside down so I couldnt use it in my computer... my brother gets all the stuff I cant use or no longer has use for... (dvd burner, fans, heatsins, drives, etc lol)
So match with the power connector for direction to amke sure the fan faces the bottom.

[system]

i would say that all PSUs push air out of the case... i mean it'd be illogical if it were the other way around...

We can all agree that a "straight-through" such as the Antec NeoHE 430's fan is blowing-out the air.
And the panel where the power outlet is located will be the only side of the PSU that is facing out the computer case.
Using the Antec picture above as an example, the air flow will travel from behind and towards you.

So, let me get this straight.
The Seasonic S12-430's fan is NOT blowing-out the air, but rather sucking-in the air, correct?
Since it would be illogical to dispense the PSU-generated-hot-air inside the case.
Using the Seasonic picture above, the air flow will travel from the top (where the fan is located) and out the honey-comb-shaped panel (where the power outlet is located).

Correct me if i'm wrong, but the CPU fan is also blowing-out the air, correct?
The air will travel from the hot CPU -> heatsink -> fan.

EDIT: I mean, fan -> heatsink -> CPU

If I am right about the airflow in Seasonic, then I have another question.
As I said earlier in my previous post, installing the Seasonic S12-430 will result in the PSU fan and the CPU fan directly facing each other.
Yes, the PSU must be placed vertically and if you were to look at back of my case, the power outlet is positioned at the top.
While the CPU fan is blowing-out the air and the PSU fan is sucking-in the air, wouldn't that result in better cooling?
If that's so, I would rather get Seasonic S12-430 instead of Antec NeoHE 430.

Am I making sense or am I lost in my own fantasy world?

my brother gets all the stuff I cant use or no longer has use for... (dvd burner, fans, heatsins, drives, etc lol)

Hey man, send a couple of those! j/p

By the way, thanks for the feedback guys.

[awdark]

You are correct if I understood your logic.

The CPU fan blows onto the heatsink... the hot air sits there and the PSU sucks the warm air away and out the back.

That was the original intent of the ATX specification. Cool air flows through the front, goes up to the CPU, then gets sucked otu the back with the PSU.

[system]

Alright, it seems the theory is correct.

Another question!

Since both fans will not be exhausting air at each other, but rather trying to intake the air from each other, will there be any disruption with the airflow?
(stopped using blowing or sucking as it was getting rather... "graphic")

For example, if the Seasonic S12-430's fan is intaking the air at a greater power, wouldn't it take away all the air that the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu LED's fan will be needing to exhaust at the heatsink to cool the CPU?
As I keep saying, these 2 fans are facing very close.
About a room to stick in a pencil is left between them.

Man, this is getting confusing (or maybe i'm making it confusing for not fully understanding how the air cooling mechanism is working here).
Maybe I am better off just getting the "straight-through" Antec NeoHE 430.
Wouldn't have to worry too much about the airflow by just sticking it in to the case.

p.s.
Found a website that has pictures of my case design.
I think you guys will get a better idea of my current the PSU and CPU's position.
If I install a Seasonic S12-430, this is EXACTLY how it will look like.
This guy just took out the CPU fan and uses the PSU fan instead, wow.
I think i'll stay with the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu LED.

http://www25.big.jp/~jam/htpc/htpc1/

[awdark]

Oh how very odd...
I think you should just get that Antec then.. because I have no idea how that air will flow

[system]

I guess i'll submit my order today.
I really wanted to try out Seasonic S12-430 because it had great reviews from users and it seems more silent than Antec NeoHE 430.

Damn case!

Since i'm out to spend some dough, perhaps l should spend time looking for a new silent case suitable for Seasonic S12-430? haha
Gotta hold myself back and keep that credit card inside the wallet.

Thanks.

[awdark]

I have never seen a case like that... I assume its much shorter, is it wider than normal then?

[system]

The width of the case is normal compared to other cases.
The height is... mid-size?
Basically the picture on that website (http://www25.big.jp/~jam/htpc/htpc1/).

I placed my order last night at www.newegg.com for Antec NeoHE 430.
Hopefully i'll get it by this Friday or Saturday morning.
This better be more quiet than my current CompUSA-noisy-ass generic 400W PSU.

Yeah, early Christmas present to myself.

[boka]

the neoHE should do you well

the "silent" PSUs don't push much air out so i wouldn't worry too much about fans interfering with each other (unless there were two opposing fans directly on top of each other)...

i'm currently using an antec smartpower2, the fans automatically try to regulate the power area temp to about 50dC... sometimes the fans push so little air that i wonder whether it's even on... i worry that my case fan is pushing out so much more air that the PSU exhaust is being sucked back into the case against the will of the PSU fans because the only other source of fresh air is coming in passively from the front through a dust filter...