Need Fan help for build!

[Heliakon]

Hey guys,

 

First - thanks for your help in advance. Second - Sorry if this is addressed in one of Linus' videos or on the forms somewhere else, but I figured this is specific enough to my build that asking would be my best options. 

 

Here's the situation: My new build will be in a Fractal Design Meshify C. It's not the roomiest of mid-towers, but it checks all of my boxes. I'm planning on using a Kraken x62 rev 2 to cool my CPU. I've purchased an Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB STRIX GAMING Video Card - which is one of the longer cards. Because of the limited room in the Meshify C and the length of the GPU - I have to mount my RAD at the top. I know this isn't ideal, but it's literally the only option with the components I have.

 

Here is my question: Intake or Exhaust for the RAD at the top? From browsing the web - there are lot of contradictory statements. I know that, with a open face GPU, top mounted radiators in exhaust isn't the most effective for cooling the CPU (Kyle from bitwit did a youtube video testing scenarios) since you're essentially using warm air to cool the fins - but is that my only option? If so, would you recommend you 1 or 2 fans upfront for intake? That would leave the two on the rad for exhaust and 1 in the back. 

 

Thanks again for your help/suggestions. Here is a link to my entire build: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FjfcZ8

 

As a side note - I will leave both the CPU and GPU at their base speeds. I won't overclock until I'm ready to do a full liquid loops for the GPU and CPU, at which point I can put a 360 RAD in front for intake. That's a bit down the road though.

 

[Saieshan Dadi]

I'd do 2 fans upfront for intake if possible and have the rad and back fan on exhaust. 

[seon123]

Aren't you able to fit the rad at the front, and put the fans on the outside of the frame?

[Heliakon]

@Saieshan DadiThanks! Any specific fans you would throw up front or should I just stick to the case fans? Replacement fans are one set of items I haven't browsed much. Do you suggest 120mm or 140mm fans? 

[Heliakon]

@seon123 I wish, but because of the unique design of the Meshify C - fans can't go on the exterior. 

[Saieshan Dadi]

1 minute ago, Heliakon said:

@Saieshan DadiThanks! Any specific fans you would throw up front or should I just stick to the case fans? Replacement fans are one set of items I haven't browsed much. Do you suggest 120mm or 140mm fans? 

Generally the fans that come with fractal cases are good enough. You can buy extra fans. No specifics are necessary. Generally the fans that would provide the most airflow will also be loud unless you buy  more expensive fans like silent wings or af's. Get whatever is in your budget. Not SP. Just airflow fans.

 

120 or 140 is fine but if you can fit 3 120's in then do that otherwise dual 120's or 140's will mostly be similar

[brob]

The stock fans are pretty good. Move the rear exhaust fan to the front for two front intakes. With the rad mounted in the top as exhaust you should get good airflow through the case.

[Heliakon]

@Saieshan Dadi Thanks! I really appreciate your help. 

 

[Heliakon]

1 minute ago, brob said:

The stock fans are pretty good. Move the rear exhaust fan to the front for two front intakes. With the rad mounted in the top as exhaust you should get good airflow through the case.

@brob Thanks! Any reason why I wouldn't want to leave the rear exhaust and put two or three upfront? Static pressure in the case is what I want to avoid - right? 

[brob]

Just now, Heliakon said:

@brob Thanks! Any reason why I wouldn't want to leave the rear exhaust and put two or three upfront? Static pressure in the case is what I want to avoid - right? 

The entire goal of case fans is to move a sufficient volume of air as rapidly as needed through the case at an acceptable noise level. 

 

You can go with three 120mm fans in the front and retain the rear exhaust fan. Given the few components in the system I doubt it will make that much difference in cooling. It may mean paying a little more attention to balancing fan speeds so that the radiator has sufficient airflow.