Intake fans - 2x NF-A14 or 3x NF-F12

[CostcoSamples]

I'm planning to get the Define R5 case, but I want to upgrade the fans right away.   My plan for front intake is either two NF-A14 fans or three NF-F12 fans.  I will also install one more NF-A14 in the bottom for intake.  Exhaust will be one NF-A14 at the rear.  

 

what do you guys think is better?  The triple 120 fans would give better coverage and may push through the dust filter and drive cages easier, but will they be louder?  It also seems like the front intake area is better sized for 120mm fans.  

 

Is this overkill?  perhaps.  I may add liquid cooling later, and these Noctua fans run forever.  I have a Noctua fan that is 7 years old and still runs fine.

[Florb]

2 NF-A14s, bigger fans means less noise

[Textosterone]

yeah a bit overkill but get the 3 NF-F12's more fans=better cooling.

[Swndlr]

I would use 3X NF-F12's.

More fans, can run them in lower RPM's which should equate to less noise, right?

[Florb]

yeah a bit overkill but get the 3 NF-F12's more fans=better cooling.

No I doesn't...

[Florb]

I would use 3X NF-F12's.

More fans, can run them in lower RPM's which should equate to less noise, right?

Other way mate...Smaller fans have to spin at higher RPMs to compensate for their size difference.

[SleathX1]

2 NF-A14s, bigger fans means less noise

Bam. If you run these at slower speeds, you'll have tons of airflow and no noise 

[CostcoSamples]

Other way mate...Smaller fans have to spin at higher RPMs to compensate for their size difference.

 

 

Bam. If you run these at slower speeds, you'll have tons of airflow and no noise 

 

Thanks for the replies.  With all of the conflicting opinions, I decided to look at the specs on Noctua's website.  Assuming I run at 1200 rpm, the rated airflow for each fan is as follows:

 

NF-F12 = 74.3 m^3/h * 3 fans = 222.9 m^3/h, at 18.6 dba, with 1.83 mm of H2O pressure

NF-A14 = 115.5 m^3/h * 2 fans = 231 m^3/h, at 19.2 dba, with 1.51 mm of H2O pressure

 

 

So there you have it.  Looks like the triple 120 is slightly behind on airflow, and slightly ahead in pressure and noise.  

[CostcoSamples]

Also, if the fan opening slightly restricts the 140 mm, I may not get the full amount of rated airflow.  In that case, the airflow of the 120 mm fans might be more comparable, and possibly better.

[Damir]

static pressure (SP) is always better over cf per minute for cooling. Hence why sp optimized fans are better for liquid cooling, because it can push air easier through restrictive media like airfilters and cooling radiators.

 

Air Flow series fans, sometimes boast high cf per minute but low sp, those  fans are really only good as exhaust fans (where the grill typically does not have an air filter to push through) or if you can mount it in middle of the case for additional air circulation.

 

I would go for the NF-A14 if its just for airflow to the case... they make less noise since there is just 2 vs 3 of NF F12, and save yourself some money by not needing a third one.

[Damir]

BTW the Define R5 can only accept 2 front 120/140mm fans anyways... if I understood you there correctly 

 

I'm planning to get the Define R5 case, but I want to upgrade the fans right away.   My plan for front intake is either two NF-A14 fans or three NF-F12 fans. 

[CostcoSamples]

BTW the Define R5 can only accept 2 front 120/140mm fans anyways... if I understood you there correctly 

 

Oh, yes that is an important detail I must have misunderstood the compatibility.  Well 2x 140 mm it is then.

[Guest]

I have the R5 with both stock Fractal GP-14 140mm in the front and a Noctua NF-S12A in the back. This configuration has sufficient cooling, but is not optimal. Few days ago I played around in the BIOS and changed few settings to ramp up the front and back fans faster when the motherboard temperature rises up.

 

The GP-14 140mm Fractal fans are 68.4CFM and 0.71mm H2O pressure.

The NF-S12A 120mm is about 63CF and 1.19mm H2O pressure.

 

With this configuration, I feel that the NF-S12A is not enough to push the hot air out of the case. Something like an NF-A14 (which is 82CF) would be more sufficient as an exhaust. The GP-14's do a decent job as intake, however I usually open the front door to allow more airflow in when gaming. I noticed about 2C lower when the front door is open and gaming.

 

The new Venturi fans from Fractal seems pretty great as well. They are louder than Noctua's, but have very good CFM and SP.

[CostcoSamples]

I have the R5 with both stock Fractal GP-14 140mm in the front and a Noctua NF-S12A in the back. This configuration has sufficient cooling, but is not optimal. Few days ago I played around in the BIOS and changed few settings to ramp up the front and back fans faster when the motherboard temperature rises up.

 

The GP-14 140mm Fractal fans are 68.4CFM and 0.71mm H2O pressure.

The NF-S12A 120mm is about 63CF and 1.19mm H2O pressure.

 

With this configuration, I feel that the NF-S12A is not enough to push the hot air out of the case. Something like an NF-A14 (which is 82CF) would be more sufficient as an exhaust. The GP-14's do a decent job as intake, however I usually open the front door to allow more airflow in when gaming. I noticed about 2C lower when the front door is open and gaming.

 

The new Venturi fans from Fractal seems pretty great as well. They are louder than Noctua's, but have very good CFM and SP.

 

Thanks so much for the first hand input!  much appreciated.

 

I am leaning toward using two NF-A14 intakes, one NF-A14 rear exhaust, and then the two included Fractal fans as bottom intake.  

 

Can you comment on whether two bottom 140mm intake fans will fit with a medium size PSU installed?  I don't need the drive cages at all.

[Guest]

Thanks so much for the first hand input!  much appreciated.

 

I am leaning toward using two NF-A14 intakes, one NF-A14 rear exhaust, and then the two included Fractal fans as bottom intake.  

 

Can you comment on whether two bottom 140mm intake fans will fit with a medium size PSU installed?  I don't need the drive cages at all.

 

I can't comment for the bottom, sorry. I know you should be able to install 2x140mm on the bottom, however I don't know about PSU lenght.

 

To be honest however, I wonder if you would benefit from the fans on the bottom. Looking at the build in your signature, it should not generate a lot of heat. I think front intake and back exhaust would be enough. Noctua's NF-A14 are a perfect fit. Of course, you would already own the GP-14's so you could install them at no costs on the bottom. However I would personally try it without the bottom intake fans first and, if I am not satisfied with the temperatures, install them.

[CostcoSamples]

I can't comment for the bottom, sorry. I know you should be able to install 2x140mm on the bottom, however I don't know about PSU lenght.

 

To be honest however, I wonder if you would benefit from the fans on the bottom. Looking at the build in your signature, it should not generate a lot of heat. I think front intake and back exhaust would be enough. Noctua's NF-A14 are a perfect fit. Of course, you would already own the GP-14's so you could install them at no costs on the bottom. However I would personally try it without the bottom intake fans first and, if I am not satisfied with the temperatures, install them.

 

Yeah, and I already have one NF-A14 so I would only need to buy two more.  It's a lot of money to spend on fans, but they last forever and the NF-A14's are a good balance of airflow and pressure.  I Am planning to upgrade to a flagship level GPU toward the end of the year, and I don't want to have to upgrade cooling again.  5 case fans should be pretty sick =)

 

One last question - the included Fractal fans, are they PWM??

[Guest]

One last question - the included Fractal fans, are they PWM??

 

Unfortunately they are not PWM; 3 pins only.

[0ld_Chicken]

Snip.

Depending on what kind of filters you're using (something i hope!) airflow fans get pretty miserable airflow. I've got some Noctua nf s12 flx and they are almost next to useless with filters in front of them, same with all my airflow fans. Sp fans will work better if there are obstructions

[Guest]

Depending on what kind of filters you're using (something i hope!) airflow fans get pretty miserable airflow. I've got some Noctua nf s12 flx and they are almost next to useless with filters in front of them, same with all my airflow fans. Sp fans will work better if there are obstructions

 

This is why the NF-A14 is a good fan. It has a very good CFM flow and interesting air pressure

[CostcoSamples]

Depending on what kind of filters you're using (something i hope!) airflow fans get pretty miserable airflow. I've got some Noctua nf s12 flx and they are almost next to useless with filters in front of them, same with all my airflow fans. Sp fans will work better if there are obstructions

 

 

This is why the NF-A14 is a good fan. It has a very good CFM flow and interesting air pressure

 

yeah, the NF-A14 is pretty good overall.  The case I'm planning does have a mesh dust filter.

 

I will have to do some testing with the Fractal fans in the bottom to see if they make any difference.  They seem like low pressure fans, so might be useless against the dust filter.