Case fan [intake or exhaust?]

[kenmo]

Just purchased a 80mm case fan. If I mount it at the back/top of the case I want it to exhaust... If I mount it front/bottom I want it as intake...

Can any fan be an exhaust or intake fan? I'm assuming YES and it depends on how the fan is mounted (which side is facing out)... Which side should be mounted out for an exhaust fan? An intake fan?

TIA

[jagabo]

Just purchased a 80mm case fan. If I mount it at the back/top of the case I want it to exhaust... If I mount it front/bottom I want it as intake...

Can any fan be an exhaust or intake fan?

Yes. Well I suppose there might be some designs that can only be used for one or the other. But your typical 80mm case fan can be used as either.

I'm assuming YES and it depends on how the fan is mounted (which side is facing out)...

Yes.

Which side should be mounted out for an exhaust fan? An intake fan?

Fans are usually marked with an arrow (on the outside frame) that indicates the direction of airflow. If it's not marked just plug it in for a second and see which way the air goes.

[SCDVD]

Just be careful if you have more than one fan to insure that they are working together. If one is an exhaust fan, you don't want another fan on the other side of the case being an exhaust fan as well. You need to insure that you have a flow-through air path. It's OK for two fans on the back sitting side by side for example to blow the same way, if fact they should but not if they are on different sides of the case.