NAS Build - Defining my cooling strategy

[Issam2204]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to identify the best cooling strategy for a new NAS project.

 

I'll either go for a Fractal Design Define 7 (silent oriented) or Meshify 2 (airflow oriented). They share the same core chassis.

 

CPU: Intel i7-6700k

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65

GPU: Nvidia Quadro P400

 

I was thinking of using this fans configuration:

 

 

The back of the case will be filled with 11 x 3.5" disk drives. Example with 10 drives:

 

 

What do you think about that fans configuration? Is it good? Will it cause negative air pressure?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Dedayog]

How on earth can it cause negative pressure?  You have 5x intake and 1x exhaust fans

 

I'd personally add the 2x intake bottom fans and make all the tops fans exhaust.  Will have more directional airflow rather than just forcing air into a case that will have to find cracks to push out.

[95Lulu]

A bit off topic. If the picture attached is yours. What cables are you using for the drives? Looks so kuch better than mine :))

[Issam2204]

4 hours ago, Dedayog said:

How on earth can it cause negative pressure?  You have 5x intake and 1x exhaust fans

 

I'd personally add the 2x intake bottom fans and make all the tops fans exhaust.  Will have more directional airflow rather than just forcing air into a case that will have to find cracks to push out.

Thanks for confirming, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong  

 

I'm a bit reluctant to use the bottom fans because their usage is somehow limited:

 

 

 

1 = PSU

 

2 = possible location for a 140mm fan. This fan must be installed below the cover, so it'll blow air through those holes, which is not very ideal. Plus, it will make cables from the PSU slightly more difficult to manage.

 

3 = possible location for a 140mm fan. This fan must be installed below the HDDs stack. Not very useful as air will just go against the first HDD. Might as well use that space for an additional drive.

 

4 hours ago, 95Lulu said:

A bit off topic. If the picture attached is yours. What cables are you using for the drives? Looks so kuch better than mine :))

Not mine, but you can find the original post over here: https://forums.unraid.net/topic/97612-fractal-design-define-7-build/

[Dedayog]

1 minute ago, Issam2204 said:

Thanks for confirming, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong  

 

I'm a bit reluctant to use the bottom fans because their usage is somehow limited:

 

 

 

1 = PSU

 

2 = possible location for a 140mm fan. This fan must be installed below the cover, so it'll blow air through those holes, which is not very ideal. Plus, it will make cables from the PSU slightly more difficult to manage.

 

3 = possible location for a 140mm fan. This fan must be installed below the HDDs stack. Not very useful as air will just go against the first HDD. Might as well use that space for an additional drive.

 

Not mine, but you can find the original post over here: https://forums.unraid.net/topic/97612-fractal-design-define-7-build/

Sorry, didn't realize the Define 7 had a fully covered basement.  I use 2x 120's on the bottom of my Define R6, was thinking you could too.

[Issam2204]

1 minute ago, Dedayog said:

Sorry, didn't realize the Define 7 had a fully covered basement.  I use 2x 120's on the bottom of my Define R6, was thinking you could too.

No worries, thanks again!

[WoodenMarker]

The Meshify 2 would be better for cooling but the Define 7 would probably be better at mitigating hdd noise and be the quieter solution. 

The 3x front intakes and 1x rear exhaust are good.

3 intakes at the top probably wouldn't be very useful compared to just 1 centered top intake. A top intake near the exhaust would probably interfere with the exhaust airflow and a top intake above the hdd's probably wouldn't be very effective either. 

[Issam2204]

15 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

The Meshify 2 would be better for cooling but the Define 7 would probably be better at mitigating hdd noise and be the quieter solution. 

The 3x front intakes and 1x rear exhaust are good.

3 intakes at the top probably wouldn't be very useful compared to just 1 centered top intake. A top intake near the exhaust would probably interfere with the exhaust airflow and a top intake above the hdd's probably wouldn't be very effective either. 

I agree completely. Probably I'll just avoid installing fans on top. Simpler and less expensive.