First Build Airflow Planning

[Prosa1c]

I'm planning my first build and trying to figure out how to route air through my case. The build will have an i5 8400 and an rx 580, (to give you an idea on heat output).

 

I will be using the Fractal Design - Define Mini C case. It comes with 2 preinstalled fans (1 intake in the front, 1 exhaust in the back), and I plan on having my powersupply installed fan-side up because I have carpet floors.

 

I'm wondering whether I should install another fan at the front as an intake so that I have will have balanced air pressure inside (and slightly positive when the power supply fan is off). I would get the same fan the case comes with so that they all match.

 

Also, a side question - Should I make sure that my motherboard will have enough fan headers, or should I just plug the case fans into the power supply.

[Skiiwee29]

You shouldnt really ever plug case fans into the power supply. Thats an old bygone era with Molex fans. If your motherboard doesnt have enough headers, just get some Y splitters or an 8 way PWM splitter. As far as adding more fans, my philosophy is to have as many fans as you can, the more you have, the lower the RPM you should be able to run them at to achieve the same performance. 

[LukeSavenije]

I mean, 1-1 airflow is enough in this case, but more fans never hurt for airflow and silence. I can't think of motherboards exept really cheap ones that don't have enough headers for that

[Bananasplit_00]

i wouldnt bother getting another fan, just stick to this

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Seeing as you'll have one intake fan but both the rear fan and the PSU fan as exhaust, you'll be dealing with negative pressure inside the case.  That means dust will be sucked in through all unfiltered openings (and you'll have plenty of those at the back). 

The power supply will also not have a filter in the orientation you're going to put it in, so some of that extra dust inside your case will be sucked through the PSU.  While that's nothing worrisome as long as you regularly blow it out, it's not really an ideal situation.

 

The Mini C can accomodate 140mm fans in the front.  Personally I'd remove the 120mm and get a pair of 140mm ones.  In fact I did just that on my own Define C.

That setup will generate positive pressure, keeping a lot more dust out of your case.

You could also add just a 120mm fan, but then you'll need to slightly raise the RPM on those front fans to achieve positive pressure, which means the system will be slightly louder. 

I guess the big question is how much you are willing to spend to reduce the noise level.

 

 

 

As for where to plug in the fans, motherboard headers typically support 1A.  Most fans draw around 0.2A at full load (look up your fan manufacturer's site to be sure), so you should be able to use some 2-way or even 3-way splitters to connect all case fans to the same motherboard header. 

[Prosa1c]

30 minutes ago, Captain Chaos said:

Seeing as you'll have one intake fan but both the rear fan and the PSU fan as exhaust, you'll be dealing with negative pressure inside the case.  That means dust will be sucked in through all unfiltered openings (and you'll have plenty of those at the back). 

The power supply will also not have a filter in the orientation you're going to put it in, so some of that extra dust inside your case will be sucked through the PSU.  While that's nothing worrisome as long as you regularly blow it out, it's not really an ideal situation.

 

The Mini C can accomodate 140mm fans in the front.  Personally I'd remove the 120mm and get a pair of 140mm ones.  In fact I did just that on my own Define C.

That setup will generate positive pressure, keeping a lot more dust out of your case.

You could also add just a 120mm fan, but then you'll need to slightly raise the RPM on those front fans to achieve positive pressure, which means the system will be slightly louder. 

I guess the big question is how much you are willing to spend to reduce the noise level.

 

 

 

As for where to plug in the fans, motherboard headers typically support 1A.  Most fans draw around 0.2A at full load (look up your fan manufacturer's site to be sure), so you should be able to use some 2-way or even 3-way splitters to connect all case fans to the same motherboard header. 

Thank you for the detailed reply. Do you think something like a couple of be quiet pure wing 140 mm fans would work or do I need something more powerful?

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Just now, Prosa1c said:

Do you think something like a couple of be quiet pure wing 140 mm fans would work or do I need something more powerful?

I have no personal experience with the Pure Wings fans.  They should be fine though, I haven't heard anything bad about them so far.

[GeoSquigg]

If it were my build, I'd simply move the exhausting fan to the front for 2 intakes and passive (aside from psu) exhaust. Lets filtered air in for dust management.   

[WoodenMarker]

9 hours ago, Prosa1c said:

Thank you for the detailed reply. Do you think something like a couple of be quiet pure wing 140 mm fans would work or do I need something more powerful?

They're fine but so are the stock case fans. You could alternatively just run the front fans at a higher rpm if you want positive pressure.