Fractal Design Define R6 Questions

Sharpenme · January 7, 2019

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I'm looking into building a rig sometime in the next month or so. I'm planning on using the Fractal Design Define R6 and air cooling it. The attached image shows possible fan placements, and while the completionist in me would love to fill every fan slot possible, I'm not convinced that would be beneficial...and it may be detrimental to efficient airflow. Can anyone give me some advice on how many and what fans to place where?

Also, I've read a few forum questions like this and I've seen people respond saying to only have a front, rear and top fan. While I know that there are diminishing returns after a certain point, my goal isn't so much to be efficient (which probably sounds ridiculous), but more to do the most I can without hurting airflow. For example, I'm aware that a top exhaust near the front of the case may actually be harmful to good airflow.

I haven't included full build notes because I'm not entirely sure what I want to put in it yet. Let me know what you think!

iwalkwithedead · January 15, 2019

My layout is 2x120 in from with Corsair H105, 2x120 on top because at the time I had a Bluray rom so that is what I could fit, 1x120 on back and 1x140 on bottom. The bottom 140 was mainly because it is a Noctua fan and I didn't want the money I spent on it to feel like it was just sitting there. They are all Noctua fans though. I can't really tell you the temps with/without and having different areas because I don't want to move them around for science but I don't have any temp issues.

Your layout would be better because you don't have hard drives and a rad blocking air flow. I don't know about that 2nd bottom one though, I personally wouldn't do it. You can always just experiment of course.

Kalm_Traveler · January 15, 2019

I'm confused, you want efficiency or just spots filled?

In mine, i wanted cool, quiet, and positive pressure. In the top I have a 420mm radiator with 3 140mm fans pushing up from the inside.

The front two and lower two spots also have 140mm fans as intake. I could not fit a fan on the rear due to lack of clearance with the radiator.

Works very well, plenty of case pressure to keep dust out, generally very quiet but has capacity to ramp up if need be.

TVwazhere · January 15, 2019

On 1/7/2019 at 4:02 PM, Sharpenme said:

The attached image shows possible fan placements, and while the completionist in me would love to fill every fan slot possible, I'm not convinced that would be beneficial...and it may be detrimental to efficient airflow. Can anyone give me some advice on how many and what fans to place where? !

Three fans as intake, One top fans set towards the back as exhaust, One rear fan as exhaust. That, or forgo the top fans completely and just use the rear fan. Most likely you wont see the top bracket anyways at most standard viewing angles.