Case fan configuration and GPU

[Gimpy]

I'm trying to figure out the best option for my build in terms of airflow. I'm trying to decide on a GPU with the stock cooler blowing air out the back of the case, or getting one with an ACX cooler. The ACX seems like a nice idea to keep GPU temps down but with the case I've picked out, the Enthoo Primo I feel it might be an issue.

 

First, with the 2 bottom intake fans on the case, the GPU pushing wamer air down working against that upward movement of air would clash and cancel each other out right? So no real point in that setup. Even if the intakes are pushing harder it would still hurt performance and general airflow characteristics won't it?

 

A buddy of mine suggested switching the intake and exhaust fans. So effectively turning it into a top intake and bottom exhaust setup. I feel that would recycle warm air more than it needs to, plus with the rear fan being exhaust that seems moot as well.

 

Another suggestion was to flip the rear most bottom fan and make it an exhaust fan. Thus having one intake and one exhaust on the bottom. I feel that's a decent compromise because then the bottom fan closest to the front can bring in cool air and the front intake fans can blow it toward the GPU. The only snag is that that bottom intake might suck up the already expelled warm air from the exhaust fan.

 

As much as I'd like the idea of an ACX cooler to keep the GPU temps down and not have the huge buildup of dust in the blower after a while, I feel that it would harm temperatures across the board. If I go with a reference cooler though, I have (to me) better aesthetics and the warm air directly leaving the case out the back.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[WoodenMarker]

The gpu intakes from below and blows warm air out the sides. It doesn't blow downwards.

Open air coolers are almost always better than blower. This is one of those situations. 

 

Go with the ACX or some other aftermarket cooler and have the intake from the front/bottom and exhaust out the top/rear.

[LogicalDrm]

On case you should stick on normal config with front/bottom/(side) intake and top/rear exhaust.