Just got myself a Xigmatek Utgard case. Started moving my machine over and found that I didnt have any screws to fit the HDD's into the cage as I havent had a case with the vibration reducing rubber bits before. Going out to get some this afternoon. Now to the point! In the time since I have been wondering about which bays in the cage I should fit the drives to for best cooling? The cage is one of these: So I have 2 drives, one with windows and programs the other with data. Of the four positions in the cage which drive would be best in which position?
I suggest you use the bay positions that are (as near as you can) directly opposite the front intake fan on the case.
There are 4 bays directly in front of the 120mm fan in the drive cage (see image). I assume that the centre 2 will have the best airflow but would it be better to space the drives so they are not next to each other?
Your image doesn't load, I assume it is this image... If it was me, I would put both HD's in the middle of the cage as the fan will push more air around the outside than the middle. Having both HD's in the middle will reduce the area blocking the fan to the height of the drives.
personally, i find the most heat develops on the controller (PCB) side of the hard drives. having them mounted in 2 consecutive bays will cause the controller side of one of the drives to receive less airflow than it would if the drives had an empty bay between them (unless you mount one of them upside down?). i always space my drives for the most airflow around both sides. just my personal experience...
