Most efficient heat-sink orientation?

[aln688]

What's the most efficient direction to orientate a tower heat-sink? East/west with the attached fan blowing air out the back of the case, or North/South with the attached fan blowing air out the top of the case?

I haven't actually saw any data on this, but on a couple of web-sites reviewing heat-sinks it's said the best direction is North/South, as the fluid in the heat-pipes doesn't have to move against gravity to move.

Does anyone have any data regarding this, or tried any tests to see if there really is a difference?

Thanks.

[Leeghoofd]

I think most will depend too on ya case, we've had a similar discussion when some cases offered to install ya mobo normal or upside down... I don't recall exactly, but the difference was minimal. Secondly not all mobo's allow a big heatsink to be oriented in any direction. If ya PSU is above the heatsink I still would go for the E-W direction as the rear fan is far better in sucking air aout. If you have a big fan on top a la Antec 900. It might be worth a shot to orient N-S.

[Wotcher]

I noticed a 3-4°C improvement with my TRUE North/South as opposed to East/West (though my fan is pull oriented towards my video card not top exhaust)

I know it sounds weird but it does work

[Leeghoofd]

Could have been a bad mount with the normal E-W orientation.

[MaleX]

I noticed a 3-4°C improvement with my TRUE North/South as opposed to East/West (though my fan is pull oriented towards my video card not top exhaust)

I know it sounds weird but it does work

Nah I believe ya man, although I haven't seen an improvement like yours myself, I also have my TRUE installed in a North/South direction. Hot air travels up, not sideways! :-)

Anyway, it may be different for other coolers but xbitlabs also mentions they got better results with the North/South direction for the TRUE. See here (at the bottom of the page):

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/core-i7-coolers-roundup_7.html#sect0