Airflow for case

[grimmjow660]

I've been thinking og buying a Fractal Design Define R5 or Corsair Air 540.
If I bought the R5, I would have 2 140mm fans in the front and a 120 or 140mm fan at the bottom with a Corsair H105 at the top for the cpu. All the drive cages would be removed also except for the Disc Drives.
If I got the Corsair Air540, I would have the H105 cooling the cpu at the top, and either 3 120mm fans or 2 140mm fans in the front for intake.
What would yield better airflow, dust protection, and have less noise?

[Guest Kloaked]

You'll want the Define R5.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I've been thinking og buying a Fractal Design Define R5 or Corsair Air 540.

If I bought the R5, I would have 2 140mm fans in the front and a 120 or 140mm fan at the bottom with a Corsair H105 at the top for the cpu. All the drive cages would be removed also except for the Disc Drives.

If I got the Corsair Air540, I would have the H105 cooling the cpu at the top, and either 3 120mm fans or 2 140mm fans in the front for intake.

What would yield better airflow, dust protection, and have less noise?

 

Your needs are conflicting with each other. Best airflow would be 540 AIR, lowest noise would be Define R5. Note that if you're getting the windowed version of the Define R5 you might as well get the 540 AIR because you'll be basically throwing the lower noise advantage right out the (acrylic) window with the Define R5. Also note that the Bit Tech review of the Define R5 concludes that removing the front harddrive cages in the case has no real benefit in terms of lower temps..

 

So you need to decide what is more important to you, low noise aka get a non-windowed Define R5 or amazing airflow aka get the 540 AIR.

 

The 540 AIR still has the potential to be very quiet if you get some decent fans and run them at acceptable RPM's, so my vote goes to the 540 AIR.

[grimmjow660]

Your needs are conflicting with each other. Best airflow would be 540 AIR, lowest noise would be Define R5. Note that if you're getting the windowed version of the Define R5 you might as well get the 540 AIR because you'll be basically throwing the lower noise advantage right out the (acrylic) window with the Define R5. Also note that the Bit Tech review of the Define R5 concludes that removing the front harddrive cages in the case has no real benefit in terms of lower temps..

 

So you need to decide what is more important to you, low noise aka get a non-windowed Define R5 or amazing airflow aka get the 540 AIR.

 

The 540 AIR still has the potential to be very quiet if you get some decent fans and run them at acceptable RPM's, so my vote goes to the 540 AIR.

Thanks for the reply.

What are decent fans for the Air540? Would 3 120mm be better, or 2 140mm be better for airflow and noise?

Currently I have 3 120mm CM Sickleflow blue led fans.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Thanks for the reply.

What are decent fans for the Air540? Would 3 120mm be better, or 2 140mm be better for airflow and noise?

Currently I have 3 120mm CM Sickleflow blue led fans.

 

You're welcome.

 

Depends on the CFM and static pressure produced by the individual fans. In most cases 2x 140mm fans would be the better option. Two larger fans are quieter than three smaller fans and the total airflow of two 140's should equal or be higher than that of three 120's. 

 

Again this depends on make and model of the fans. Great = Noctua NF-A14's, Noiseblocker Black Silent Pro PK2's. Budget and good = Rosewill Hyperborea 140mm fans.

 

I recommend you try the case out with your triple Sickle flows first, see how they fair in the noise department. The high airflow design of the 540 should allow you to run em pretty slow and still get good temps.