I need help with something - what type of CPU heatsink do you think it would be more suitable for a computer case with only side panel ventilation (air coming in from a large 25 cm side fan)? The problem is that if I use a classic cpu cooler that blows air from the cpu towards the side panel, the 2 fans will work against each other.

Here are the options in more detail (ignore the actual cooler brand/model, I'm interested only in the fan placement):

1. this type of cooler, with the fan placed horizontal on the CPU and blowing air towards the side panel; as I said, the 2 fans will work against each other;

2. the same type of cooler, but blowing air in the opposite direction, on the CPU; in other words, from the side panel towards the CPU; I guess this would be a better option but I'm not sure how efficient it would be;

3. this (example 1, 2, 3) type of cooler, where the fan is vertical and it blows air in a right angle compared to the direction the side fan blows to.

Which option should I choose? I'm not sure which of (2) and (3) is more efficient. I could also use passive cooling, but I'm not sure if the side panel fan is enough for this. I also don't want to use water cooling.

Thanks for any suggestion.

You might want to try out the option where you get a fan to blow downwards your CPU. The 25cm fan might as well just help ventilate fresh cool air into your casing and give the CPU fan some fresh air to suck and blow. (don't get me wrong with my choices of vocab. )

By the way.. why the 25CM fan? Will be a good dust collecter if you live in a dusty area.

Hurm.. If you can manage to get some Thermalright heatsinks... there is a chance you might wanna try out passive cooling.

What's your rig's specifications by the way?


Hopefully someone can correct me if I commented wrongly.

since the side panel of ur casing has a 25cm size fan, wut i can suggest is that u leave it there..
use dis type of cooler to cool down ur hot-proc...

my guest is that ur casing will surely hav a back-exhaust hole.. so by following the setup from the pic.. the air will 1st be blown into the fin of the alu heatsink.. n then later we be "exhausted" out to the back or ur casing.. as for that.. i advice u to get a duct for ur back panel fan.. so that the hot air from the fin will be ducted out straight to the back of ur casing w/o losing in ur casing..