Fan directions

[another_member]

Hello, 


I am planning to build a system in the NZXT H500i, and was wondering about fan placement.

At the front, the case has space for 2 140mm fans or a 280mm radiator. I'll be going with the 140s though, because my AIO already has a 140mm fan and radiator, which only fit at the front due to space limitations. At the top there is space for a 120 or 140mm fan, but not for a radiator, and at the back there is space for a 120. Since I was planning to replace the fans which come with the case anyway, and one of the front fans is going to be a 140, I was wandering if I should get a 120 or a 140 for the top and in ehich directions the fans should face.


This is what I would assume:

Front:

1x 140mm intake through radiator

1x 140mm fan

Back:

1x 120mm fan outwards (no other choice)

Top:

1x 140mm fan outwards (120mm would also be possible but i think 140 should be better?)


In case it matters, here are the specs of both the 120mm and 140mm fans I am planning to get:
120mm:
500-1500rpm
17.5 - 52.5 cfm
140mm
500 - 1500rpm
31.5 - 91 cfm

(All numbers approx.)

Thanks,

another_member

[WoodenMarker]

Sure, that works. What are your specs?

Please list the fan model name instead of just specs. Manufacturer specs are generally not very reliable. When it comes to accessing fan performance, look at benchmarks and tests instead if possible. 

[another_member]

6 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

What are your specs?

Of the PC?

Ryzen 5 2600 CPU

 

Some Radeon RX580 GPU(not sure which one exactly)

 

MSI X470 Gaming Plus Mobo

 

NZXT Kraken X42 CPU cooler

 

Corsair Vengance RGB PRO 16GB 3200Mhz Memory

 

NZXT h500i case

 

EVGA 600 B1, 80+ BRONZE 600W PSU

 

Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SSD

 

WD Blue 3TB HDD

 

6 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Please list the fan model name instead of just specs.

Ok, NZXT Aer rgb 2.

 

 

Also, good luck on the way to 50,000 posts!

 

Thanks, Catchears.

 

[WoodenMarker]

2 hours ago, Catchears said:

Ok, NZXT Aer rgb 2.

The cooler at the front for intake and the stock case fans in exhaust should be fine for cooling already. 

If you want the Aer RGB 2 for the sake of aesthetics, then that's what you have in mind is also fine. I'd recommend just using the stock case fans at the front for intake to save a bit of money from buying 1 less fan. 

[another_member]

50 minutes ago, WoodenMarker said:

already. 

If you want the Aer RGB 2 for the sake of aesthetics, then that's what you have in mind is also fine. I'd recommend just using the stock case fans at the front for intake to save a bit of money from buying 1 less fan. 

Ok, thx for the tip.

[bob3002]

The NZXT H500i is... special. Because of the closed front and tiny side holes, front intake fans don't do anything for airflow. The right way to use that case is to have two fans as exhaust in the back of the case so the entire system is under negative pressure. See the GN review for details.

 

If you mount the AIO radiator to the front,  it'll be recirculating case air, but it will probably still work adequately because the negative pressure draws sufficient air through the crevices in the case.

[another_member]

12 minutes ago, bob3002 said:

The right way to use that case is to have two fans as exhaust in the back of the case so the entire system is under negative pressure

How do you fit two fans at the back?

[WoodenMarker]

5 hours ago, Catchears said:

How do you fit two fans at the back?

Back is referring to both the rear and top fan mounts which are closer to the back of the case.

[another_member]

5 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Back is referring to both the rear and top fan mounts which are closer to the back of the case.

Ok thanks. Is that the stock cofig?

[bob3002]

14 minutes ago, Catchears said:

Ok thanks. Is that the stock cofig?

Yes, I was referring to the stock config where both 140's were blowing out the case in the top and rear.

 

GN found that it was the best for GPU temperatures at the expense of a few degrees of CPU temperatures (with a tower cooler, not an AIO).

 

Other reviewers have found that adding fans to the front in addition to the stock config doesn't lower temperatures any more. It just recirculates the air inside the case. For an AIO that still might be fine.

[another_member]

38 minutes ago, bob3002 said:

Yes, I was referring to the stock config where both 140's were blowing out the case in the top and rear.

 

GN found that it was the best for GPU temperatures at the expense of a few degrees of CPU temperatures (with a tower cooler, not an AIO).

 

Other reviewers have found that adding fans to the front in addition to the stock config doesn't lower temperatures any more. It just recirculates the air inside the case. For an AIO that still might be fine

Ok, thanks.