Case cooling considerations.

[Archen Von Dreknov]

Hi 

Im about to make a new build as the one I have is outdated. For now, I have 2 fans : one up front as intake, and one out back for exhaust. My next build will most likely generate more heat (current : low en I3 and HD7850 gpu, next build : R5 2600 with rtx 2060) im wondering if these two 120mm fans will be enough to keep everything nice and cool, especially as I plan to do some slight OC. Nothing crazy tho, as I will be on air cooling.

The question is : should I add fans, or am I fine as is ? If I add some fans, where should I put them ? Avalable slots are on front of the case (one slot, but too low to really blow on the most warm area of the PC) , on top of it (2 slots) , or on the bottom (one slot).

 

Thanks in advance

[Jurrunio]

depends on the case

[dDave64]

It sounds like your case may be pretty limited on air cooling capacity. 

 

You may want to look at something like a thermaltake or cooler master model. For the best cooling you may want to get something with a side intake but heavy front intake is sufficient for most builds. I’d definitely get something with both a top and a rear exhaust though.

[Archen Von Dreknov]

18 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

depends on the case

Case is an Enermax Ivektor

 

14 minutes ago, dDave64 said:

It sounds like your case may be pretty limited on air cooling capacity. 

 

You may want to look at something like a thermaltake or cooler master model. For the best cooling you may want to get something with a side intake but heavy front intake is sufficient for most builds. I’d definitely get something with both a top and a rear exhaust though.

Why so limited ? Because of the intake not going directly to the CPU area ? I can do a second intake up front and a top exhaust tho

[Jurrunio]

25 minutes ago, Archen Von Dreknov said:

Case is an Enermax Ivektor

just do it as the site for the case suggests.

[Archen Von Dreknov]

3 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

just do it as the site for the case suggests.

Its discontinued so not much info on their website apart from what it can have, not what is optimal with it. Else i found an ANtec DP501 which doesnt look as restrictive for 60€, is it worth swapping ?

[Jurrunio]

Just now, Archen Von Dreknov said:

Its discontinued so not much info on their website apart from what it can have, not what is optimal with it. Else i found an ANtec DP501 which doesnt look as restrictive for 60€, is it worth swapping ?

I mean I recommend copying this setup

 

this picture is from their site

 

Antec DP501 has even worse airflow with its restrictive front panel and lack of side ventilation. Does look better but not my choice for good looking cases either

[Archen Von Dreknov]

Mine doesn't side intakes

[dDave64]

37 minutes ago, Archen Von Dreknov said:

Case is an Enermax Ivektor

 

Why so limited ? Because of the intake not going directly to the CPU area ? I can do a second intake up front and a top exhaust tho

 

Oh, so you have expandability for case fans? I’d never run a case without running fans in all positions. My bad for making an assumption on that.

 

Side intake is nice but not necessary. It will help with temps but is not the end all. The real key is having sufficient front to back airflow. I would put as many fans in your case as you have slots. Use the cooling capacity of your case to the fullest potential.

 

Definitely use that top exhaust.

[Jurrunio]

5 minutes ago, Archen Von Dreknov said:

Mine doesn't side intakes

oh

 

Might as well still get an extra fan (I'd put it as top intake) and see how it performs comparing to not using the side panel. If it's good enough stick to it, if it isn't. replace.

[Archen Von Dreknov]

Ok i'll do as I planned then. Replace my crappy front fan by a good one an add a top exhaust and an other intake

Thanks all