Just to add my 2GBp (Great British pence), I have a Cooler master HAFX with 2x 200mm top exhaust fans. As a random experiment I recently changed the front one to intake while leaving the one behind it as exhaust. I thought this might just make a mess of the airflow. But it seems to have improved the cpu temps by a few degrees (prime95) and I think even the GPU temp when gaming by 2/3 degrees. GPU less scientific as it's just playing MW, but I thought it was worth a try and I've since left it like this. Results may vary...
Fan Question
- Thread starter jsbombjack
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Just to add my 2GBp (Great British pence), I have a Cooler master HAFX with 2x 200mm top exhaust fans. As a random experiment I recently changed the front one to intake while leaving the one behind it as exhaust. I thought this might just make a mess of the airflow. But it seems to have improved the cpu temps by a few degrees (prime95) and I think even the GPU temp when gaming by 2/3 degrees. GPU less scientific as it's just playing MW, but I thought it was worth a try and I've since left it like this. Results may vary...
@Armageus - nice job on the diagram, posted about a similar issue in the Ryzen 3000 thread. My AIO is at the front, 1x120 at the back and 1x120 at the top. On a hot summers day whilst gaming - my PC gets very hot. I was thinking of adding 2 more 120mms at the top as exhausts but seen some people mention, skipping furthest front fan as it may steal some of the incoming front intake air. After some advice on OcUK, I think my GPU is the main culprit and the exhausts can only go so far. Haven't considered push/pull on my X52. @jsbombjack - let us know how your experimenting goes.
Don
@doodah - What case do you have?
Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG. To be fair it sits in a desk enclosure but there is enough clearance at the top for the exhaust and no door/block for the AIO radiator intakes. However on a hot day, the whole case can get worryingly hot (but temps within norms, just not particularly good).
Don
I'd also still skip the top (front) fan.
Remove the PCI slot covers if you haven't already (even if they are perforated)
You will need Faster intake fans (or push pull) as generally you still want more intake than exhaust
Sweet - very helpful, thanks.
I hadn't actually thought of the PCI slot covers, they are still on so will get them removed. As for fan speed, I haven't gone that granular as I just control everything globally through NZXT's CAM software (will have a look/see QFan control in the BIOS). Though I do wonder exactly how much cold air can be coming from the front of the case, as surely the radiator is going to warm it up?
I hadn't actually thought of the PCI slot covers, they are still on so will get them removed. As for fan speed, I haven't gone that granular as I just control everything globally through NZXT's CAM software (will have a look/see QFan control in the BIOS). Though I do wonder exactly how much cold air can be coming from the front of the case, as surely the radiator is going to warm it up?
Don
With your case, it may be better to have the AIO at the top (as that will restrict exhaust to some degree anyway) and you only have 2 intake positions vs jsbombjack's 3.
Again, it's all trial and error - some things work better than others depending on the case, and the specific hardware and fans you have.
Cheers
- happy to do a bit of trial and error.
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Ok, the experiment for today is done. It was the harder option, that being to repaste the GPU.
I wanted to do this because I am stubborn basically, and if it didn't make a difference then I will sort out fans afterwards. I hate messing around with fans more than I hate taking apart graphics cards, and yes, I know the potential for error is much higher taking apart a GPU than moving fans.
So, the results...
With the fans still in the same positions in the fractal nano s (2x140mm in the front as intake, 1x120mm in the bottom as intake, 2x120mm in the roof with the AIO as exhaust), following a repaste the temps on a 3DMark stress test went down from 81c at peak to 76c at peak. This seems like a good result.
Tomorrow's test will be to move fans around and see if I can get that lower...
@Armageus thanks for all the ideas and help to me and others who have asked
I wanted to do this because I am stubborn basically, and if it didn't make a difference then I will sort out fans afterwards. I hate messing around with fans more than I hate taking apart graphics cards, and yes, I know the potential for error is much higher taking apart a GPU than moving fans.
So, the results...
With the fans still in the same positions in the fractal nano s (2x140mm in the front as intake, 1x120mm in the bottom as intake, 2x120mm in the roof with the AIO as exhaust), following a repaste the temps on a 3DMark stress test went down from 81c at peak to 76c at peak. This seems like a good result.
Tomorrow's test will be to move fans around and see if I can get that lower...
@Armageus thanks for all the ideas and help to me and others who have asked
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And the results (for experiment 2) are in
Setup:
AIO in the front (thus 2x 120mm fans intake)
1x 120mm bottom fan intake
1x140mm top exhaust
1x120mm rear exhaust
CPU temps were good (as they were previously)
GPU temps were 2c higher at a peak of 78c
Ambient temp between the two tests was reasonably consistent (maybe a degree in it)
This means that (for me at least) the following is the winner for my particular setup (mainly because it makes more sense to me, and gave the lowest GPU temp which is what I care about atm)
2x140mm front intake
1x120mm bottom intake (pegged to 800rpm constant)
2x120mm top fans exhaust on the AIO
1x120mm rear fan which I may or may not run
Proof positive that each case and setup is different, and trial and error is the way forward.
That said, I do recommend the noctua fans. They sound good as well as performing, whichever case/orientation etc you have them in.
Be back later... I have some fans to move around... Again...
Setup:
AIO in the front (thus 2x 120mm fans intake)
1x 120mm bottom fan intake
1x140mm top exhaust
1x120mm rear exhaust
CPU temps were good (as they were previously)
GPU temps were 2c higher at a peak of 78c
Ambient temp between the two tests was reasonably consistent (maybe a degree in it)
This means that (for me at least) the following is the winner for my particular setup (mainly because it makes more sense to me, and gave the lowest GPU temp which is what I care about atm)
2x140mm front intake
1x120mm bottom intake (pegged to 800rpm constant)
2x120mm top fans exhaust on the AIO
1x120mm rear fan which I may or may not run
Proof positive that each case and setup is different, and trial and error is the way forward.
That said, I do recommend the noctua fans. They sound good as well as performing, whichever case/orientation etc you have them in.
Be back later... I have some fans to move around... Again...
Just thought - I know my Kraken X52 is a 240mm but I am pretty sure the front panel of the Enthoo Pro M has space for 3 x 120mm fans. Could potentially fit a third at the front, move the rear exhaust 120m to the top (so 2 x 120mm at the top). Either leave it like that so there are more intakes than exhausts or possibly put a 140mm at the rear exhaust.I'd also still skip the top (front) fan.
Remove the PCI slot covers if you haven't already (even if they are perforated)
You will need Faster intake fans (or push pull) as generally you still want more intake than exhaust
Don
And also that what looks good in theory, doesn't necessarily correspond with practice
Not according to their website. But if it is then 3 at the front, 1 at the rear and 1 at the top would be my suggestion.
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And also that what looks good in theory, doesn't necessarily correspond with practice
Yeah, sorry about that.
I was not going to try your way, but I did, honest.
I appreciate there was only a couple of degrees in it, but I have to go with what runs cooler for my GPU since I cannot do much about those fans without water as I said before.
Besides, it's nice that I was right at least this once.
With a decent fan curve I get plenty of air in now, quietly, and when running a CPU bench (like OCCT) I cannot get the CPU temp to go above 70c. So I am calling it a win, and I am not going to mess around with unscrewing fans again (well for a while anyway)
It does, just in a bit of a janky wayAnd also that what looks good in theory, doesn't necessarily correspond with practice
Not according to their website. But if it is then 3 at the front, 1 at the rear and 1 at the top would be my suggestion.
....
Previously the two fans were screwed directly onto the radiator, I can't do that with three. But I can screw the fans to the case and the same for the radiator (made sure the long screws aren't in a position to damage or puncture the radiator). Admittedly each fan is only attached by one screw, will keep and eye on it and see if I can come up with a solution to keep them in place.
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@Armageus - bumpety bump. Thanks again for your previous help. I'm finally about to hit the buy button on an air cooler. Decided on the Noctua NH-U12S chromax.black (single 120mm, if I need a second - I will add at a later date).
That's step 1. Step 2 is using my current fans (some NZZT Aer1 RGB, case, random ones lying around) to trial and error air flow using your diagram in conjunction with a general tidy up and remapping the inside. Step 3 - will purchase new set of RBG fans and use ideal config from step 2.
That's step 1. Step 2 is using my current fans (some NZZT Aer1 RGB, case, random ones lying around) to trial and error air flow using your diagram in conjunction with a general tidy up and remapping the inside. Step 3 - will purchase new set of RBG fans and use ideal config from step 2.
I'd also still skip the top (front) fan.
Remove the PCI slot covers if you haven't already (even if they are perforated)
You will need Faster intake fans (or push pull) as generally you still want more intake than exhaust
Im looking at replacing the stock fans for this case, same setup.
What fans would be recommended for the front, rear and top?
Caporegime
If you're talking case fans only then the Scythe Kaze Flex (1500rpm version) are excellent but hard to come by. Plus we're talking £75 for 5 of them.
I would probably just buy a 5 pack of the Arctic F12s.
Don
Artic P Series would still be my go to choice - they still offer a decent amount of performance, whilst being relatively quiet, and at a fraction of the cost of other brands (e.g. Noctua)