Case Fan Configuration Questions

[RandomUser14]

Hello All, First Time Poster!

 

I am having some trouble figuring out the optimal case fan setup for my first build. I am having issues with my CPU reaching high temps (around 8-82c) while gaming with a 50ish% load. Even if that temperature is acceptable, I want to have more wiggle room, as I live in the Midwest and temperatures can rapidly change and I have little to no actual room air conditioning.

 

I am thinking the stock wraith cooler I have is not enough, so I am planning to upgrade to a Noctua-U12-A; but now I am also wanted another opinion on how to setup my case fans since the exhaust from the 12A can’t go to an intake fan right? My case included 4x 43.2cfm 1k rpm fans, and I also got 2x Noctua F12 71.69cfm 2k rpm fans which I placed on the two open top slots on my case. Ideally I would like the front fans to stay the same (they are all idle non adjustable rgb so I don’t want them to be scattered if possible as is the rear fan) 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/mvz4Y9 
 

Linked above is my current build, and attached is a basic sketch of my current configuration, plus what I had planned based on some more research. I could take pictures later when I’m back home if needed. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks all! 

[TylerD321]

You definitely want to do the fans exactly the way you have the picture drawn for planned. I am not sure why you have only one exhaust fan as of right now!

 

If you have the extra money and want the extra piece of mind you may as well go with the Noctua NH-D15 which you can get in chromax black as well. Either CPU fan will be perfectly sufficient. Making the front of the case be intake with the top and back as exhaust should for the most part resolve your heat issues assuming the inside of your pc is clean and dust free.

[mike_seps]

Ope. The current setup is pretty crap, but your proposed config looks solid. Keep in mind that you're not going to get all the rated airflow unless you run them full bore. Best bet is to configure some curves in the BIOS and see what happens. I would suggest keeping the forward fan on top of the case turned way down (or remove it, even) so the fresh air from the top front intake isn't just forcefully yeeted out before it can even reach the ccomponents.

[RandomUser14]

3 minutes ago, TylerD321 said:

You definitely want to do the fans exactly the way you have the picture drawn for planned. I am not sure why you have only one exhaust fan as of right now!

 

If you have the extra money and want the extra piece of mind you may as well go with the Noctua NH-D15 which you can get in chromax black as well. Either CPU fan will be perfectly sufficient. Making the front of the case be intake with the top and back as exhaust should for the most part resolve your heat issues assuming the inside of your pc is clean and dust free.

It’s definitely dust free it is all new out of box parts less built less than 2 weeks ago. I was thinking about the ND15, but I eventually want a different case but affordable case like the X3 (I should have gotten that one in the first place and not cheapes out lol) and that case can’t fit a ND15, but it can fit the U12A so that was my reasoning behind that, but thanks for the advice! 

[RandomUser14]

4 minutes ago, mike_seps said:

Ope. The current setup is pretty crap, but your proposed config looks solid. Keep in mind that you're not going to get all the rated airflow unless you run them full bore. Best bet is to configure some curves in the BIOS and see what happens. I would suggest keeping the forward fan on top of the case turned way down (or remove it, even) so the fresh air from the top front intake isn't just forcefully yeeted out before it can even reach the ccomponents.

My current setup was based on some testing and research I watched (which perhaps isn’t right anymore it seems) to try and get the lowest possible cpu temp. I definitely think the planned setup is better now,  and I didn’t even think about turning the front fan down, thanks for the advice!! 

[TylerD321]

1 minute ago, RandomUser14 said:

It’s definitely dust free it is all new out of box parts less built less than 2 weeks ago. I was thinking about the ND15, but I eventually want a different case but affordable case like the X3 (I should have gotten that one in the first place and not cheapes out lol) and that case can’t fit a ND15, but it can fit the U12A so that was my reasoning behind that, but thanks for the advice! 

The u12a should be plenty fine in that case. With your current fan layout, adding a cpu cooler like that might honestly make your heat issues worse with where the exhaust location is. I drew some arrows with how I imagine the airflow will move when/if you change fans. I would recommend mounting the cpu cooler in the orientation that has the fan blowing from the front of the case to the back.

The reason the airflow looks like a mess for your current layout, is because it is.

[mike_seps]

1 minute ago, RandomUser14 said:

My current setup was based on some testing and research I watched (which perhaps isn’t right anymore it seems) to try and get the lowest possible cpu temp. I definitely think the planned setup is better now,  and I didn’t even think about turning the front fan down, thanks for the advice!! 

With the current setup, if the CPU hits max load and ramps all fans to 100%, the rear fan and front fan will both be blasting at each other, causing a stalemate. You may get a little cyclonic action with the top mounted fans, but nothing that I think would really help at all. The lower two on the front should feed the GPU, so that should be solid.

 

New layout, you should be fine. You could even probably ramp down both of the top fans now that I think about it, just let them remove the warmest air that makes it's way up top, with the front fans pushing clear to the back, hitting all the components, GPU, and CPU tower.

[thrasher_565]

the top front fan dose not need to be there as it will exhaust the front top fan air.

 

there only only so much air can do. you will have to sacrifice some nose for performance if you dont get the temps you want. even if you buy the best thermalpast, put nice fans in, have the biggest cooler you can and a case with good air flow with fan on the bottom for gpu cooling.

 

aio would be cheaper, and case with bottom intake for gpu cooling

 

nexed would be mod the gpu cooler and zip tiy fans to it.

 

how much would that cost vs temps lower i dont no maybe 5-10c max

[Ralfi]

4 hours ago, RandomUser14 said:

but I eventually want a different case but affordable

What’s your current case?

 

Make sure your new case has a mesh front with nothing blocking it, as it’s your main intake for fresh air. 
 

The top front fan (as a 4th intake) should only be needed under heavy load, so set its fan curve to start off as a flat line @ silent/low RPM & then ramp up at ~60°.

 

But it may not be needed at all (during the cooler months anyway), depending on your CPU, So 3 intake & 2 exhausts may be all that’s required in that much improved ‘planned’ layout. 
 

You’re on the right track though