Temp control and Netgate device placement: shelf or wall mount
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So what is the best device placement from a thermal management point of view?
Our home can warm up to 30 degrees C (86F) in summer and as we all (should) know device longevity is largely determined by components staying cool.
Let's pick a 4100/6100 desktop form factor. Heatsink on the bottom, no fans. So the heat is dissipated from the heat sink surface to the air.
Hot air flows upward.
I would argue the following top 3 list from best to worst placement:
A. Shelf - vertical
The heat has the most room to be absorbed by the air and the hot air can freely flow upward.B. Wall mount
Vertical, so also good for air flow, but less room for the air to flow compared to A.C. Shelf - horizontal
Same space around the heat sink for air to flow as B, but the air is forced to flow horizontally which is just not how air likes to flow. So this placement will allow the least heat exchange.So I would argue that Netgate develop a stand to hold the device vertically, similar to the Nintendo Wii.
Opinions?
Thanks, Pete
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If you have the space to do it then mounting it vertically will probably cool better. However those devices were tested at full load in ambient temperatures far higher than 30C in the normal horizontal position so either should be no problem.
Steve
