I have the corsair 200R and 6 case fans (including the ones that come with the case), and I was wondering what the best orientation would be for the fans. The one I am planning on doing now is having 2 top exhaust, 2 side intake, and leaving the front intake and rear exhaust where they are. Although I am skeptical that since the front of the case does not have a vent, but rather has thin side vents on the front, that the front intake will be a bit on the redundant side. Would swapping the front intake to the bottom be better for cooling?
And I don't have a fan cover for the bottom, but my pc is on a wooden board above ground, so that should be factored in I suppose.
The grills at the front are more than enough for intake. If i were you i would mount one intake on the side, full front mounts, and a rear+top exhaust. As for bottom mounted intake vs front the argument is that heat rises therefore it's more effiecient to intake from the bottom. Not i'm not sure how your cases mounts are on the bottom but unless you have a TJ11 or another monsterous case with dual/triple rad mount at the base you wont be intaking enough air to keep the pressure neutral. Not only that but bottom mounted intakes are more subject to airborn dust and carpet fiber. My vote is for front mounts.
Bottom as intake will collect all the dust pilled up under your rig FYI. Without the dust filter you'll have desert, but with dust not sand.
Make sure you got positive pressure (more fresh air coming than hot going out) and forget about the bottom fan. Seen lot of cases and noone uses the bottom fan.