PC Launchpad tool

PC airflow planner

Map case fans, side intake, an air tower, or an AIO radiator in one animated airflow path before you build.

Airflow workspace

Choose the cooler, then trace the path.

The starter layout pairs an air tower with 3 front intake fans, 1 rear exhaust, and 1 top-rear exhaust. Change each part to match the case you are planning.

CPU cooling

Connect the cooler to the airflow route.

Cooler type

Tower airflow

Toward rear is the conventional match for front intake and rear exhaust.

Case fan zones

Set every active edge of the case.

Front

3 fans

Top

1 fan

Rear

1 fan

Bottom

0 fans

Side

0 fans

Before you rely on the plan

Check the manual. Mount locations, radiator clearance, filters, and panel vents are case-specific.

Use it as a route. Placement changes the illustration, not the fan-count assessment.

Next steps

Continue to guided builder Compare cases

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Airflow readout

See the path before you build.

Airflow visual

A generic side-view plan

Blue enters.Orange exits.Deep blue crosses the air tower.

Clear airflow path

A clear front-to-back airflow path

3 intake fans and 2 exhaust fans create a nominal positive fan-count balance.

Intake: 3 fans
Exhaust: 2 fans
Count balance: Positive

CPU cooling route

Air tower toward rear

Worth checking

A positive bias can reduce dust when intake openings are filtered, but it can also retain more warm air. Fan speed and resistance still determine real pressure.

The air tower follows the conventional front-to-rear route and should discharge toward a rear exhaust, not a rear intake.

A conventional route often brings cooler air in from the front, side, or bottom and gives it an exit at the rear or top.

This calculator checks airflow direction, path quality, and nominal intake/exhaust balance. It does not calculate temperature, noise, airflow volume, or real internal case pressure.

Methodology · noctua-cooling-path-layout-v3

A fan-direction planner, not a thermal simulation.

The planner starts from Noctua's general airflow guidance: create one continuous route, usually with front, side, or bottom intake and rear or top exhaust, while keeping a tower cooler aligned with that route. AIO radiator fans occupy their selected case zone and add resistance, so nominal fan-count balance is shown separately from path quality. Vertical radiator guidance keeps the radiator's highest point above the pump, with tubes down preferred where practical. Real results still depend on fan size and speed, filters, vents, radiators, and exact mounting positions.

What to verify separately

Your case manual's supported fan and radiator positions.
Whether a front, side, or top radiator changes the available fan locations.
Filter placement, fan curves, cable clearance, and real temperatures after assembly.