Best fan setup?

[Vasllo]

I have a Corsair Carbide 400C with stock fans, which is an AF140L at the mid-front and an AF120L at the back, which I've seen is a pretty good setup, but I think my drives and GPU could use some more air.

 

So, my original plan was 2 AF140s at the front and 1 AF120 at the back, but then started considering 3 AF120s in the front instead, so, would I be better off with 2x140 or 3x120? And should I have a couple more at the top for the VRM? As said in my signature, I'm running a pretty normal voltage, and my PSU has 22-25mV ripple, so not a whole lot of work for my VRM I guess, but I noticed while watching a GN's video that my VRM probably has no airflow whatsoever, so that worries me a bit.

I think the 2 AF140s at the mid-bottom would help my drives and GPU and keep the CPU in the same conditions, but with the 3 AF120s I think I would have some airflow through the top VRM, would I?

[Guest]

I would have 2x140mm, quiter while providing the same airflow.

You can probably run them at full speed all the time, as they are far less noisier as 120mms.

[Psittac]

It's almost impossible to know what the best configuration will be without testing it.

 

As you eluded to the 3x120's will cover more vertical space.

 

If you want to be safe just get fans for front and top, maybe 2x140 for the front and what ever fit's in the top.

 

edit: If the top fit's 140's then get 3x120's in the front and 2x140's in the top, that way you won't waste your 140.  Looking at pics I'd say 3x120 front filtered intake, 2x 140 top filtered intake and just make it a positive pressure case with plenty of fresh intake and air spilling through the back and the 1x120 in the back

[Vasllo]

1 hour ago, Psittac said:

It's almost impossible to know what the best configuration will be without testing it.

 

As you eluded to the 3x120's will cover more vertical space.

 

If you want to be safe just get fans for front and top, maybe 2x140 for the front and what ever fit's in the top.

 

edit: If the top fit's 140's then get 3x120's in the front and 2x140's in the top, that way you won't waste your 140.  Looking at pics I'd say 3x120 front filtered intake, 2x 140 top filtered intake and just make it a positive pressure case with plenty of fresh intake and air spilling through the back and the 1x120 in the back

Hmm, I wasn't planning on using the stock fans, but that's a good idea, I'll use the stock fans at the top since they won't be visible anyways. I think 3x120 is a safer bet and will give me more overall coverage for GPU, drives and VRM. I'll try to figure out where the fans are gonna be and the air's direction to see how it's gonna hit specially the GPU. The only problem will be cleaning more fans haha.

 

And I haven't used fans with LEDs, are they annoying at night? The only LEDs I got are from my mouse and keyboard, the later I can easily switch off.

[Psittac]

2 hours ago, Mateus Campello said:

Hmm, I wasn't planning on using the stock fans, but that's a good idea, I'll use the stock fans at the top since they won't be visible anyways. I think 3x120 is a safer bet and will give me more overall coverage for GPU, drives and VRM. I'll try to figure out where the fans are gonna be and the air's direction to see how it's gonna hit specially the GPU. The only problem will be cleaning more fans haha.

 

And I haven't used fans with LEDs, are they annoying at night? The only LEDs I got are from my mouse and keyboard, the later I can easily switch off.

I would double check that 140's fit in the top, I just glanced at pics and it looked like they do. If you want to save money it's possible to just put one fan in the top.

 

I don't mind led fan's, it's a rather soft glow but everyone is different.  Some people would be more sensitive to it.

[CloroxBleach57]

[Vasllo]

3 hours ago, CloroxBleach57 said:

ROFL, how ironic, with that profile pic. But Noctua is rare here, and expensive, and ugly.

[CloroxBleach57]

13 hours ago, Mateus Campello said:

ROFL, how ironic, with that profile pic. But Noctua is rare here, and expensive, and ugly.

fixed my profile pic

[LogicalDrm]

What temps you are getting? Since you left them out while referencing them being main reason, I guess they are already good. In which situation changing or adding fans won't do much for temps. You might get quieter setup, though.

[Vasllo]

On 23/04/2018 at 3:10 PM, LoGiCalDrm said:

What temps you are getting? Since you left them out while referencing them being main reason, I guess they are already good. In which situation changing or adding fans won't do much for temps. You might get quieter setup, though.

Sorry for the delay. Well, my temps are okay (I'm from Brazil, so it isn't cold here), but my GPU is pushed against the 80C limit in long sessions of heavy games like Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG (optimized like a champ). I just changed my temp limit to 85C, I guess that's fine, I hope. It pushed pretty hard against 80C on PUBG, dropping my clock 200Mhz, with my GPU's shitty fans at 75% or so. My CPU is fine, at the low to mid 70s at usual full load, and peak 80C at Prime95 (I could increase the rpm, but I really don't think I need to, I even lowered it a bit recently). My HD runs at 40-50C and my SSD gets to the mid 50s under heavy usage. I would really like to get some more air to my GPU, mainly, because damn, it's heatsink stinks.