Fans and negative static pressure compensation

[Eagleswind]

If you have a PC case in which the intake of air is limited, can you compensate by using fans with a high airflow and static pressure rating for exhaust.

I have been trying to find videos or information on the science of this question. I am building a system using Thermaltake's Tower 100 which has a very limited airflow setup. In my current configuration I have a single 140mm intake for the interior floor, a 140mm exhaust in the back, and a sandwiched AIO with 2 120mm exhaust fans. Regardless of the 140mm intake fan, the case's design may still inhibit the fan's ability to intake fan. That's when I started to think - should I get high performance exhaust fans and would that make any difference?

Scenarios to ponder:

• If I had a PVC pipe and connected a fan on one end that draws 60 CFM, does that mean I get 60 CFM through the pipe?
• If I connect two fans (60 CFM), one at each end, do I still get JUST 60 CFM? Is there any efficiency gain?
• Suppose I want 80 CFM going through the pipe, but I am limited to the one 60 CFM fan. Would it be worth me getting one or two high performance fans for exhaust (lets say 90 CFM each)?

BIG QUESTION: Would the intake fan actually cause a bottleneck - a greater negative static pressure for the exhaust fans to compensate for, and therefore I would be better off not having an intake fan at all?

Please do not focus on the case - the Tower 100 has its own challenges. LOL Focus on the questions and theory.

 

[EarthDog]

Well, since a case isn't sealed, pressure is really a relative term. I'd go with a high CFM fan for intake but wouldn't worry too much about pressure. The differences, in most cases, are negligible. That said, I tend to use a more exhaust than intake as I don't care about dust through the cracks.

 

[Flamethrower1972]

I agree I have my folding rig 2 intake and 3 fans exhaust.

 

[Railgun]

IMO you want positive case pressure. Else, you'll get dust seeping in everywhere that doesn't have a filter. That's to say more filtered intake areas than exhaust.

 

[EarthDog]

Dust Prevention and Case Pressure: Does It Really Matter? - Overclockers

Overclockers has teamed up with be quiet! to conduct the first physical testing as to whether positive case pressure really does reduce dust in your PC.

www.overclockers.com

 

[Nebulous]

Dust Prevention and Case Pressure: Does It Really Matter? - Overclockers

Overclockers has teamed up with be quiet! to conduct the first physical testing as to whether positive case pressure really does reduce dust in your PC.

www.overclockers.com

Oldie but a goldie.