Fractal R4 cooling

[Esoterick]

Hi guys,

I recently purchased a Fractal Design R4 to replace my Antec 900. Problem is I am pretty clueless when it comes to rigging up fans(and also how many I would need)

My current setup is an Asus P8p67 Pro(think this means I have 2 x 4 and 1 x 3 pin fan connectors) powering an i7 2600 on a stock cooler and my graphics card is a Geforce 680 with one of the enclosed coolers.

Plan is to replace the CPU cooler(I'm not planning on overclocking) with a decent aftermarket one - Assuming an Air cooler would do the trick?

Next would be the case fans:
2 x 140mm on the front
1 x 140mm on the side
1 x 140mm on the rear
2 x 120mm on the top

Finally I normally setup my PSU so the intake is within the case, I could flip it over but I don't think I would get enough ground clearance without propping up the feet. Does this really matter that much?

I would really appreciate it if anyone could advise me on my proposed fan setup, what fans they would recommend and what the best way to split the power would be.

My goal is to have a quiet, but nicely cooled case.

 

[doyll]

Something like the Alpenfohn Matterhorn for £29.99 is hard to beat
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-037-AL&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2337

Are the stock fans not cooling or too loud?

I did a Define R4 a couple months ago with Thermalright TY-147 fans controlled by the CPU_fan PWM signal so they increase and decrease in speed dependent on CPU load/heat. For the front they need to be cut square.

I think you can do the same using the PWM signal from our GPU to control case fans supplying air to it. You would need a custom built PWM splitter as I don't know of any production mini-4pin PWM GPU size splitter to normal size 4-pin PWM

 

[OptimaLnrg]

The r4 has a built in fan controller that with fixed 5/7/12v modes

7v is a good balance between cooling and silence for a wide variety of decent fans, 12v is max speed. A lot of fans might have trouble starting at 5v, but not running at it after starting.

If you have a 680 with the reference blower cooler you only really need to have the two intakes at the front and the one exhaust at the back. leave the moduvents in on the top.

If you want to go the PWM 4 pin fan route instead you can get one of those akasa 3 way splitters. it plugs into molex for power, plugs into the cpu fan header to take the pwm signal, then has 3 4 pin connections for fans.

edit: yes an aircooler will be fine. For AIO 'watercoolers' single rad ones are no better than air coolers and dual rad ones will mean you will have to remove the sound dampening from the roof (epic fail).

 

[doyll]

edit: yes an aircooler will be fine. For AIO 'watercoolers' single rad ones are no better than air coolers and dual rad ones will mean you will have to remove the sound dampening from the roof (epic fail).

Agree with above.

I prefer Gelid style PWM splitters with molex power. Much cleaner look and less lead strain at pins going into connectors.

Missed you question about PSU. Either drawing from below or inside is okay. I raise my cases with caster base (remove stock feet) so end up with 40-50mm bottom clearance. Image is R2/3 base. Triangle bits are to index magnetic filter grill.. R4 has longer filter for both bottom vents. Little "button" are silicone pads for case to set on.