[pweerc]

Hello All, I replaced my cooling fan in my HP Pavillion,it is the one that goes to the cpu. Now I am not shure if it is supposed to blow air over or suck the heat out. Please help a dummie that didnt remember wich way it goes. Thanks

[lilxkid24]

A cooling fan just basically cools down your system from overheating. Lets say you have a brick thats 100 degrees hot. If you have a run right over it or something its going to cool down. Thats basically the same with the computer. Well it does have a bit of wind so it does blow.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Pweerc. In addition to what Lilxkid mentioned, the processor/cpu fan...also known as the heatsink, is specifically designed to cool the processor. So, in that case, the heatsink is going to blow air over the processor. Normally, the fans' main purpose is to cool a particular area, whether it be a component or the inside of the case itself. The more fans your computer has, the less likely it will overheat. Now, if you have an exhaust, that will help to suck the heat out.

There is a quick test you can do to see exactly what your heatsink is doing. With your computer on, open up your case and slowly put your hand over the heatsink fan, but do not completely block the fan. If you feel a gentle pull against your hand, that means that the fan is pulling air into the unit and cooling the processor. If you feel air against the palm of your hand, that means that the heatsink is blowing air away from the processor.

[art209]

It is my understanding that the CPU fan should blow air into the heat sink, not suck air out of it. New cases with air ducts attached to the side panel allow this fan to pull outside air the CPU rather than circulate air from inside the case, a nice touch.