be quiet silent 3 - which type?

wizard · 16 Sep 2019 at 08:45

Want to put 2 x 140mm top fans in be quiet dark base 900 pro rev 2 case.

There are 2 available:

be quiet silent wings 3 140mm and be quiet silent wings 3 PWM. Which one should I opt for?

There are 3 140mm PWM fans in the case (2 in front / 1 at back)

Should I opt for PWM?

keylion · 16 Sep 2019 at 09:57

I'd get PWM as even if you're not using automated control at the moment it gives e you the option in the future.

Steveocee · 16 Sep 2019 at 10:13

Always PWM if available.

doyll · 16 Sep 2019 at 12:15

Generally using top fans doesn't help case airflow and often hurts it. I think you can use 3x 140mm front intakes and block all openings not covered by fans in front mounting plate. This will stop the air front fans are pushing into case from leaking back in front and move more air through case. I've found removing all PCIe back slot covers (even vented ones) improves front to back airflow around GPU and thus lowers temps. It also helps keep the heated exhaust coming off of GPU from moving up into airflow to CPU cooler and thus lower temps on CPU too. The link below is to basic guide to case airflow and how airflow works might be of interest"
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/help-with-fan-setup.18763212/#post-30354296

wizard · 17 Sep 2019 at 08:19

doyll said:
Generally using top fans doesn't help case airflow and often hurts it. I think you can use 3x 140mm front intakes and block all openings not covered by fans in front mounting plate. This will stop the air front fans are pushing into case from leaking back in front and move more air through case. I've found removing all PCIe back slot covers (even vented ones) improves front to back airflow around GPU and thus lowers temps. It also helps keep the heated exhaust coming off of GPU from moving up into airflow to CPU cooler and thus lower temps on CPU too. The link below is to basic guide to case airflow and how airflow works might be of interest"
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/help-with-fan-setup.18763212/#post-30354296

Thanks. Very informative.

doyll · 17 Sep 2019 at 12:08

wizard said:
Thanks. Very informative.

You are welcome. A cheap indoor/wired remote sensor outdoor digital thermometer setup would be my first move. Monitor air temp into CPU cooler while working system, then adjust case fan speeds up (if possible) to see if that helps. Try blocking front half of top vent might help too. Can use a book or similar setting on case.

What is the speed range of Silent Wings 3 case fans you have in it?

Bluntwrapped · 17 Sep 2019 at 13:28

I must say, I still prefer 3 pin fans and a small lightweight fan controller or voltage adapters.

I’ve always found them much more predictable than the PWM counterparts.

Rroff · 17 Sep 2019 at 13:37

doyll said:
Generally using top fans doesn't help case airflow and often hurts it. I think you can use 3x 140mm front intakes and block all openings not covered by fans in front mounting plate. This will stop the air front fans are pushing into case from leaking back in front and move more air through case. I've found removing all PCIe back slot covers (even vented ones) improves front to back airflow around GPU and thus lowers temps. It also helps keep the heated exhaust coming off of GPU from moving up into airflow to CPU cooler and thus lower temps on CPU too. The link below is to basic guide to case airflow and how airflow works might be of interest"
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/help-with-fan-setup.18763212/#post-30354296

Also the dust angle - if you have plenty of intake fans at the front with appropriate dust filters it can help to keep dust down significantly compared to having other fans pushing and pulling air around pockets of the case potentially drawing air in from cracks, etc.

doyll · 17 Sep 2019 at 14:03

Bluntwrapped said:
I must say, I still prefer 3 pin fans and a small lightweight fan controller or voltage adapters.

I’ve always found them much more predictable than the PWM counterparts.

PWM fans can be ran variable voltage too. Using PSU power PWM hub allows one motherboard PWM header to control up to 8-10 fans making it easy to run all case fans along with CpU fans on single CPU fan header

Rroff said:
Also the dust angle - if you have plenty of intake fans at the front with appropriate dust filters it can help to keep dust down significantly compared to having other fans pushing and pulling air around pockets of the case potentially drawing air in from cracks, etc.

Indeed! Filtered intakes is a must for me. My builds go a year or more with no cleaning .. just clean filters weekly/monthly depending on how much dust there is. I've the habit of checking/hovering them when doing the floor.

Sometimes back fan on GpU will pull air in open PCIe slots below GPU, like when case fans are no running faster than GPU fans. Simple solution is using some of the cheap shop Scotch-Brite like kitchen scrub pads cut to fit in the slot as dust filters

A couple of times I found an exhaust fan can help create an airflow channel / remove pockets of stagnet air. 2x 140mm intakes is minimual, 3x 140mm is ideal .. either 3x 140mm front or 2x front and 1x bottom. Next is 2x front and 1x top near front of case when top part of front isn't a vent.