Custom PC Build: How to setup your desktop cooling fans for proper air flow

In this video, I explain how to setup your cooling fans to create neutral movement air flow. This means air is flowing into the case and hot air from the CPU and GPU / Video card is flowing out. This is important to regulate the temperature of the CPU and GPU / Video Card to ensure it's operating efficiently.

When I initially installed the cooling fans, I made a mistake and had to reconfigure them. Don't make the same mistake I did.
Some fans have markings on them to indicate which way the air flow moves through the blades.

PC Case: Corsair Carbide 275R
Fans: NF-F12 PWM fans

Time Stamp:
0:25 Explaining my mistake and creating a positive pressure setup
01:30 Diagram explaining neutral pressure and how to correctly setup the cooling fans
2:16 Noctua fan explanation of markings
4:00 Using strips of toilet paper, showing the actual air movement of a neutral pressure setup

For updated pricing on the case and other components, please check out the link below.
They are affiliate links to support the channel.

[Omi-k]

this has to be the best 5 minute video on airflow. never paid attention to those damn arrows. Thank you!

[vivekml]

The tissue paper setup to show the direction of airflow was amazing !!!

[_.Envy_]

Haven’t even began my first PC build yet, however the installation of the case fans is what has been worrying me the most. Thank you for making a very visual tutorial!

[SimDeck]

Much respect to you for admitting and pointing out your previous mistake and then going to show what to do. That shows great character. Great learning tool for the rest of us who don't know much about this sort of thing. All the best.

[SolidPRAWN]

Great video. I love how you acknowledged your mistake and used this as an opportunity to educate the public on what is a common mistake. Great job.

[rrreeelll]

Thank you! now the anxiety I have about airflow is gone :D

[razter]

In the foootage of the case fans at the beginning of the video:
The rear fan is exhausting
The top fans are exhausting
The front fans are intaking.

What's the problem?

[aalennn]

The arrows and the tissue -was a simple and smart way to explain air flow stuff .

[christiand]

I feel so dumb because of how simple it is. Thank you that tissue part really helped me visualize the airflow

[xibo]

Hello, I just want to thank you for making this video especially for people like me who needs to have a dumbed down explanation and not be bombarded with crazy jargons lmao. Very informative too thumbs up

[michaelbass]

A lot of people worry about errors like this, but don’t say anything because they feel it would be “dumb” to ask. (I was one of them). So thank you!

[MrTropicalWatermelon]

Man im gonna say thank you some much I bought a pc and it keep having heating problems ever since I bought it and it was because it was positive air flow so this video helped me and now I have correct air flow thanks alot man you just gained 1 subscriber

[guilherme.comelli]

In this same air flow setup, if I have fans on the bottom of the case, should the air flow go ^(up) or v(down)?

[ranjnijan]

Hello there very helpful video but I have a question. I have a case with no room for a top fan since it’s fully covered up. My question is should I do front 280 Radiator x2 fans 1 side and x3 other side of rad as Exhaust out of the case and have 1 rear fan as intake or the opposite? My main primary goal is to cool the cpu if that helps.

Thanks in advance.

[demarcuscousinstheth]

You should look at the blades of the fan, they work like shovels, the way the blades are shaped and the direction the fan spins whether its left or right will determine where its blowing air.

[siomaiethan]

You thought this out really well, it was like a really difficult experiment explained by a super good effort teacher

[ChrisDaTrueKing]

Messed up my PC but your original fan orientation helped mine

[wagnermalo]

I was thinking logically so I started looking for this subject. Now I am sure that my fans are well setup

[s_ensei]

Great video, really helpful. I just got my first POST but the excitement was cut short when I saw the temps haha, went on a "videos about airflow" binge and yours was the one that clicked. Straight to the point + a great visual example. Thanks a lot, I'll definitely be following!

[Areaith]

Thank you for making this video! I just realized I made the same mistake with the fans on my first build. I'm going to go fix it now.