Is it ok to install a video card upside down?

[Desdichado]

I just got my new radeon 9800 pro and I noticed that it sits with the fan and heat sink upside down. Is this ok?

[bocybo]

There is only one way to install a video card, and it is with the fan and heatsink pointed down. If you notice, the card acts as a seperator between your CPU airstream and your VC airstream. If the video card cooler pointed upwards, then the CPU and video card would be sharing air, which is not as effective. Besides, it is impossible to install a video card with the cooler pointed up.

[Desdichado]

oh ok thanks, I didnt know that, I just figured that with natural convection going up it would be more efficient to play a fan and heat sink on the top. My thermodynamics, fluids dynamics, and heat tranfer classes didnt really go into computer parts... just different abstract situations.

Thanks again

[PCJ]

yeah, it would make sense. However, it didn't matter when atx came around (vid cards didn't even have heatsinks), but they're changing it for btx.

[GLScooby]

Originally posted by bocybo
There is only one way to install a video card, and it is with the fan and heatsink pointed down. If you notice, the card acts as a seperator between your CPU airstream and your VC airstream. If the video card cooler pointed upwards, then the CPU and video card would be sharing air, which is not as effective. Besides, it is impossible to install a video card with the cooler pointed up.

Actually, the video card acts as a baffle, disrupting airflow through the case. If the card could be laid down, the front intakes would be far more effective.

I saw these AGP flex extenders and have wondered how to implement them, but I'm just not there yet.



Laying the card down flat would be a great advantage. If you could put something together to support the card (in the flat position) these would be pretty darn cool. Literally.

[bocybo]

I wasn't talking about laying it down flat, I was talking about the video card having the cooler on the top of the actual VC as opposed to having to cooler on the bottom.

[Ashpool]

I'm thinking that it wouldn't be a good idea anyway to have the video card sit the other way.

Not only would the videocard and CPU share the same hot air (Which is bad enough already), the hot-ish air that would be beneath the videocard would warm up the bottom of the GPU, which is just as hot as the top side (go ahead, turn off your rig and touch the center of the GPU on the bottom, it's almost hot to the point you can't keep your finger on it for a few seconds at a time). At least with the regular ATX formfactor, the bottom of the GPU gets some airflow by default since it's right next to the exhaust fan(s)

[Noek]

I just leave my side vent open, systems not too loud (my wife would argue this point, however). Never have to worry about airflow issues and my case temp stays at 38C with the CPU at 40

[Ashpool]

Originally posted by Noek
I just leave my side vent open, systems not too loud (my wife would argue this point, however). Never have to worry about airflow issues and my case temp stays at 38C with the CPU at 40

Then that's telling us that your case cooling really sucks.

[Noek]

closed it jumps to 40/43

[GLScooby]

Originally posted by bocybo
I wasn't talking about laying it down flat, I was talking about the video card having the cooler on the top of the actual VC as opposed to having to cooler on the bottom.

I hear you, I was just thinking of something different.

Ash is right about lower flow to the bottom of the card (if it was flat). That's why I haven't done it.....

Oh well, I guess it can't be all perfect.

[Ashpool]

Originally posted by GLScooby
Ash is right about lower flow to the bottom of the card (if it was flat). That's why I haven't done it.....

Uh... I was actually talking about flipping it upside-down...

But fair enough

[GLScooby]

1 problem.......


.......2 bombed ideas it is then.

[RavenLord]

A good reason why the fan is pointing down might be dust.
I really think dust can shorten the lifespan of your vidoe card.
Thermodinamicaly speaking it's better if the fan was pointed up.