Need help cooling first build.

[Narong]

Greetings.

 

I need some help and advice on how to cool my first PC build in a long while. (The last one I built was an Intel Celeron 450MHz).

 

Specs:
Case: NZXT H440 Black/Red
CPU: Intel Core i7 4790k
RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum 1600MHZ 2x8GB CL7
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W P2
GPU: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti DC2OC (x2)
Mobo: ASUS Maximus VII Formula -waiting for release-

SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB -pre-ordered-

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i (pull config)

 

This rig will not be OC'd in anyway. (Not until I can invest in a water-cooling setup) I've attached an image of what I think I'll be doing. Each red arrow is a fan. I realize the H440 isn't the greatest case for air-cooling, but any help/suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[LogicalDrm]

The setup shown in pic is the standart type. I think most people who use dual rad in that case have it intaking at front.

[Narong]

Right. I understand that the case comes with 3x120mm intakes in the front and a rear exhaust fan, but I was wondering if it's worth the effort and money to install an additional 2 fans on the other side of the drive cage. However.. now that I think about it, there may not be any room for it, since the graphic cards are pretty long. I haven't actually tried fitting anything into the case, since I'm still waiting on the motherboard.

In any case, I'd still like to know just how much the additional 2 fans would help. Also.. other than the AIO H100i, I don't plan on installing any water cooling components, yet. I wanted to mount the rad for the H100i on the top, are you saying it's better to place it in the front and move the 3 stock fans to the top? If so, would they be set up as intakes or exhaust?

 

Thanks!

[KeithD]

I have the H440, and it's defintely worth installing a couple of high CFM fans in the top. As there is hardly anywhere for heat to escape at the top of the case, it's important to have some fans to push it out rather than just having some hot air lingering. 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

*snip*

Especially if your not OC'ing anything your temps will be fine air cooling with some good fans in the H440. 3x NF-F12's in the front, 2x NF-A14's in the top, 1x NF-A14 rear if you are willing to spend this kind of money on fans. They will come in handy for a future custom loop, as these fan will double as some of the best rad fans money can buy. For cheaper and you can have a look at Corsair SP120 quiet editions, Noiseblocker Black Silent Pro's or Silverstone Air Penetrators. 

[Narong]

Especially if your not OC'ing anything your temps will be fine air cooling with some good fans in the H440. 3x NF-F12's in the front, 2x NF-A14's in the top, 1x NF-A14 rear if you are willing to spend this kind of money on fans. They will come in handy for a future custom loop, as these fan will double as some of the best rad fans money can buy. For cheaper and you can have a look at Corsair SP120 quiet editions, Noiseblocker Black Silent Pro's or Silverstone Air Penetrators. 

I really appreciate your input. No offense to the others, but yours is most helpful so far. I've been researching fans a bit and I do love the reviews people give on the Noctua fans, but I just can't stand how ugly they look! I could do 3 in the front, since those won't be seen and perhaps 2 set up as pull exhaust for the top-mounted H100i. Do you have experience with both the Noctua and the Corsair fans? I'm wondering if the AF140 Quiet Edition as a rear exhaust will perform nearly as well and quiet. IMO, they look much nicer than the Noctua fans.

[King_Gamma]

I have the H440 and my set up is 3 nf-f12 pwms as the intake AF140 as back exhaust and the stock 140 on the top (could buy another nf-12 or and sp120 for the top).

You should get static pressure fans for everything except the back exhaust. The h440 is very restrictive.

I would recommend this setup so you still have slight positive pressure to help with the dust.

Additionally I would tell you to go full air cooling in this case. You will get better temps TechUploaded did a test. A rad in the front it makes it way too restrictive. Get a good air cooler. I have the cryorig r1 ultimate in my rig.

[KeithD]

I have the H440 and my set up is 3 nf-f12 pwms as the intake AF140 as back exhaust and the stock 140 on the top (could buy another nf-12 or and sp120 for the top).

You should get static pressure fans for everything except the back exhaust. The h440 is very restrictive.

I would recommend this setup so you still have slight positive pressure to help with the dust.

Additionally I would tell you to go full air cooling in this case. You will get better temps TechUploaded did a test. A rad in the front it makes it way too restrictive. Get a good air cooler. I have the cryorig r1 ultimate in my rig.

 

Same as me, H440 and R1 Ultimate. Which way is your R1 oriented and what RAM do you have?

[King_Gamma]

Same as me, H440 and R1 Ultimate. Which way is your R1 oriented and what RAM do you have?

I have have it going towards the rear exhaust fan. I have adata xpg 1.0 2 x 8 GB they are just low enough haha.

I recently just painted the shroud covers white. The cryorig looks even better.

[KeithD]

I have have it going towards the rear exhaust fan. I have adata xpg 1.0 2 x 8 GB they are just low enough haha.

I recently just painted the shroud covers white. The cryorig looks even better.

 

I tried orienting it to exhaust out the rear but my RipjawzX are too high I think. I am tempted to just get a saw and cut the little top off of them because it's making me have to orient the R1 to blow up the way, which isn't ideal. 

 

[Narong]

I have the H440 and my set up is 3 nf-f12 pwms as the intake AF140 as back exhaust and the stock 140 on the top (could buy another nf-12 or and sp120 for the top).

You should get static pressure fans for everything except the back exhaust. The h440 is very restrictive.

I would recommend this setup so you still have slight positive pressure to help with the dust.

Additionally I would tell you to go full air cooling in this case. You will get better temps TechUploaded did a test. A rad in the front it makes it way too restrictive. Get a good air cooler. I have the cryorig r1 ultimate in my rig.

I think this is what I'm going to end up doing. 3x NF-12 to replace the stock fans in the front. Pretty sure II'm going to be putting the Corsair AF14 QE in the rear, but I'm not sure which model to get. Is there a performance/noise difference between the new ones with the LED and the old one with the colored rings?

Also.. I've already got the H100i and I'm probably gonna use it. I want to put it at the top of the case and never really considered it at the front. Is there a benefit to having it installed at the front vs top?

[King_Gamma]

I tried orienting it to exhaust out the rear but my RipjawzX are too high I think. I am tempted to just get a saw and cut the little top off of them because it's making me have to orient the R1 to blow up the way, which isn't ideal. 

 

You should be able to take the whole heatsink off. RAM doesnt get hot enough to make cooling necessary.

[King_Gamma]

I think this is what I'm going to end up doing. 3x NF-12 to replace the stock fans in the front. Pretty sure II'm going to be putting the Corsair AF14 QE in the rear, but I'm not sure which model to get. Is there a performance/noise difference between the new ones with the LED and the old one with the colored rings?

Also.. I've already got the H100i and I'm probably gonna use it. I want to put it at the top of the case and never really considered it at the front. Is there a benefit to having it installed at the front vs top?

I do not think so I got the led one for the looks. What I did not know when I bought it is that the AF 140 quiet editions are not PWM fans. So you cannot control the speeds./

 

As for the radiator I would suggest putting it at the top and have it as an exhaust. I think you shouldn't limit cool air entering especially in this case. 

 

Additionally the NF-F12s are just have more depth than the usual fan and made contact with the harddrive cage. I only have one in and took the rest out. I did notice some vibration so I took some soft foam and crammed it between the harddrive and the fan.

[Narong]

I do not think so I got the led one for the looks. What I did not know when I bought it is that the AF 140 quiet editions are not PWM fans. So you cannot control the speeds./

 

As for the radiator I would suggest putting it at the top and have it as an exhaust. I think you shouldn't limit cool air entering especially in this case. 

 

Additionally the NF-F12s are just have more depth than the usual fan and made contact with the harddrive cage. I only have one in and took the rest out. I did notice some vibration so I took some soft foam and crammed it between the harddrive and the fan.

 

Aw man... that's a pretty big disappointment. The motherboard I've got my eyes set on has a lot of 4 pin connectors all around the board and I want to put them to good use. I guess if the AF140 QE LED running at max RPM isn't too loud, it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Do you think yours is noisy? If it is, I guess I won't be getting a Corsair fan, since it doesn't look like they offer AF QE with a 4 pin connector.  Are there any other makers that have a nice-looking fans with PWM connectors?

[King_Gamma]

Aw man... that's a pretty big disappointment. The motherboard I've got my eyes set on has a lot of 4 pin connectors all around the board and I want to put them to good use. I guess if the AF140 QE LED running at max RPM isn't too loud, it wouldn't be too much of a problem. Do you think yours is noisy? If it is, I guess I won't be getting a Corsair fan, since it doesn't look like they offer AF QE with a 4 pin connector.  Are there any other makers that have a nice-looking fans with PWM connectors?

Mine is not noisy but I did use some of my soft foam between the fan and the case to help reduce vibration. If you want to pay a premium you cant get the Silent Wings 2 140 PWM at NCIX they probably would be better also since it is Be Quiet

[Narong]

I went ahead and placed an order for 5xNF-12 and one AF140 QE LED. Going to have three in the front, two to replace the fans that comes with the H100i and the AF140 at the rear of the case as the exhaust. Probably just gonna use the step down connector if the AF140 is noisy at full speed. Thanks for all the help, guys!