PSU fan directly over CPU heatsink -- no room for fan!

LiquidEyes · 13-05-2006, 06:59 PM

I wonder whether my PSU's fan will suffice as a substitute for a dedicated CPU fan, given that it is directly over my CPU heatsink?

I have a AMD Sempron 2800+ with a Zalman CNPS6000-Cu heatsink+fan (the one with the separate fan mounted on a bracket) which does the trick just great.

Now I'm planning to put the PC in a more compact case, such as the Lian Li V600, but this case does not have space for the CPU fan -- only the heatsink.

However since the PSU's 92mm fan will be directly over the heatsink, and since it is temperature-sensing, will it provide an adequate substitute for the Zalman fan, bearing in mind the very effective heatsink?

I've always run my Zalman fan at very low speed anyway, and the CPU runs fairly cool. I'm not overclocking or anything like that.

The PSU is an Enermax EG365P-VE. Installed in the Lian Li case, I reckon the PSU's 'underside' fan should be in just the right place to cool the heatsink.

Or is it a very bad idea not to use a dedicated CPU fan, period?

donkey42 · 13-05-2006, 06:49 PM

it sounds as though it should be ok, but if i were you i'd crank up the RPM of your PSU fan and keep half an eye on the CPU temp download this to keep control of your temp

LiquidEyes · 13-05-2006, 11:41 PM

Coolio ... thanks for the advice.

I've downloaded the Motherboard Monitor utility on your recommendation -- will try it later.

It'll be interesting to see how the CPU fares; I shall do a 'before and after' to see how it copes with and without the Zalman fan. The only concern is that the 'underside' PSU fan might not bother going very fast -- the RPM is automatic, based on a temperature sensor, which I would guess is inside the PSU itself...? Only the rear PSU fan is manually adjustable.

Anyway, I shall suck it and see.

donkey42 · 14-05-2006, 08:42 AM

yeah, just (like i said) use the monitor to keep an eye on your temp, generally a CPU should never exceed 60*C, so keep an eye on it, crank up the RPM anyway, i know it only controls the rear PSU fan, but every little bit of cooling can make all the difference

Big B · 14-05-2006, 11:45 AM

You might look at a low-profile or 1U cooling solution.

KenshinX · 14-05-2006, 07:57 PM

Of course get some Arctic silver 5 like stated above every bit of cooling is helpful

13-05-2006, 06:59 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
LiquidEyes Geek Trainee Join Date: May 2006 Gender: Posts: 2 Status: Offline	PSU fan directly over CPU heatsink -- no room for fan! I wonder whether my PSU's fan will suffice as a substitute for a dedicated CPU fan, given that it is directly over my CPU heatsink? I have a AMD Sempron 2800+ with a Zalman CNPS6000-Cu heatsink+fan (the one with the separate fan mounted on a bracket) which does the trick just great. Now I'm planning to put the PC in a more compact case, such as the Lian Li V600, but this case does not have space for the CPU fan -- only the heatsink. However since the PSU's 92mm fan will be directly over the heatsink, and since it is temperature-sensing, will it provide an adequate substitute for the Zalman fan, bearing in mind the very effective heatsink? I've always run my Zalman fan at very low speed anyway, and the CPU runs fairly cool. I'm not overclocking or anything like that. The PSU is an Enermax EG365P-VE. Installed in the Lian Li case, I reckon the PSU's 'underside' fan should be in just the right place to cool the heatsink. Or is it a very bad idea not to use a dedicated CPU fan, period?

13-05-2006, 06:49 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
donkey42 Paranoid Geeky Geek Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 34 Male Posts: 5,826 Times Helpful: 309 My Mood: Paranoid Status: Offline My Computer	it sounds as though it should be ok, but if i were you i'd crank up the RPM of your PSU fan and keep half an eye on the CPU temp download this to keep control of your temp __________________ GRUB manual \| Google Linux \| Distrowatch \| Linux Chix \| Kubuntu \| My Mini City

14-05-2006, 08:42 AM	#4 (permalink) Top
donkey42 Paranoid Geeky Geek Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 34 Male Posts: 5,826 Times Helpful: 309 My Mood: Paranoid Status: Offline My Computer	yeah, just (like i said) use the monitor to keep an eye on your temp, generally a CPU should never exceed 60*C, so keep an eye on it, crank up the RPM anyway, i know it only controls the rear PSU fan, but every little bit of cooling can make all the difference __________________ GRUB manual \| Google Linux \| Distrowatch \| Linux Chix \| Kubuntu \| My Mini City

14-05-2006, 11:45 AM	#5 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,640 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	You might look at a low-profile or 1U cooling solution. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

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13-05-2006, 11:41 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
LiquidEyes Geek Trainee Join Date: May 2006 Gender: Posts: 2 Status: Offline	Coolio ... thanks for the advice. I've downloaded the Motherboard Monitor utility on your recommendation -- will try it later. It'll be interesting to see how the CPU fares; I shall do a 'before and after' to see how it copes with and without the Zalman fan. The only concern is that the 'underside' PSU fan might not bother going very fast -- the RPM is automatic, based on a temperature sensor, which I would guess is inside the PSU itself...? Only the rear PSU fan is manually adjustable. Anyway, I shall suck it and see.

14-05-2006, 07:57 PM	#6 (permalink) Top
KenshinX Big Geek Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 18 Male Posts: 241 Times Helpful: 13 My Mood: Happy Status: Offline My Computer	Of course get some Arctic silver 5 like stated above every bit of cooling is helpful

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