Fractal Define R4 Fans

superleeds27 · 10 Feb 2019 at 14:40

I'm thinking of replacing the stock fans on the define R4.

Ideally I'd like 2x140mm intakes and a 120/140mm outake fan.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what fans to use? I'd like to keep the noise to a minimum too.

The R4 does have the 5/7/12v switch on the front which I could hook the fans up too.

Ideas/thoughts are appreciated

superleeds27 · 11 Feb 2019 at 14:44

To help you out a little more.

The two intake at the front are: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/case-fans/silent-series-r2-140mm - These two are attached the front 5/7/12v switch.

The rear exhaust is the same as the above.

I'd like to switch to PWM and have them all attached to the board so SmartFan 5 can take control of the RPM as and when it's needed.

The quieter the better too!

superleeds27 · 11 Feb 2019 at 16:00

Grandmaster Fap! said:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arctic-cooling-p14-pwm-pst-black-fan-140mm-fg-04k-ar.html

Dont think you can go wrong with these, high static pressure and VERY quiet, can be daisy chained also

Thanks for this. Will take a look at the specs and see how they compare!

mikedigitales said:
I've got an R4 still and updated all the fans a while back to help with idle noise. I went for the grey Noctua Redux fans, two 140mm on the front, and a single 140mm on the back exhaust. They're all NF-P14s 1200rpm PWM models, setup to run at nearly minimum speed when the cpu temp is low, and zoom up when gaming to keep the 1080ti cool

This was my initial go to fan. I don't think i'd need anything higher than 1200RPM, the Three in there at the moment are 1000RPM and seem to do a decent job, just want something a little quieter with the PWM ability!

superleeds27 · 11 Feb 2019 at 16:30

Whats the best way to set these up too?

I have a Asus ROG 1070 which has two 4 pin connectors. This allows the gpu temp to change the speed of the fans (https://rog.asus.com/articles/gaming-graphics-cards/strix-gtx-10801070-what-is-asus-fancontrol/)

Is it worth adding one of the front fans to this and the other fan to the Mobo?

superleeds27 · 11 Feb 2019 at 16:58

mikedigitales said:
Yes if my graphics card had one of those if definitely be using that to set the PWM fan speeds on my system. You could use a PWM hub if you want to keep it looking clean inside, run all the fans off the hub.

I believe the 1070 has two? So i could potentially hook one up to that and the other to the mobo? or would it make more sense to hook them both up to the GPU?

Danny75 said:
Could use the Define R4's stock fans on the bottom if there's any room for them as well.

The exhaust fan is the fly in the ointment for separate GPU temp-synched chassis fan cooling. i.e. Which do you synch it to? CPU or GPU. Ideally, motherboards would all start coming with software to raise fan RPM based on either CPU or GPU temp, whichever is highest.

There may be room for one on the bottom, it depends if my new PSU doesn't interfere with the space.

This was my thought. Maybe i have an intake and the bac exhaust hooked up to the GPU, with the one remaining intake to the Mobo?

superleeds27 · 16 Feb 2019 at 11:05

Okay.

Looking at chucking this together today!

superleeds27 · 16 Feb 2019 at 11:23

Okay, so.

The P14-PWM won't fit in the front of the R4?

They don't fully clip in which means the removable holder can't go back into the case!

Hmm...

superleeds27 · 16 Feb 2019 at 17:33

So the depth of the fans was the issue. I had to snap the holding clip, then screw them in!

Bit of a design flaw, not sure on whose part?

One front and the exhaust connected to the GPU, and I've got them to kick in as and when.

Second front fan, connected to the motherboard, this one sits in front of the drives and keeps the cool air flow hitting them.

Impressed with the fans in terms of sound, a lot better than what i had in. Have yet to hear them at a high RPM, but, I can't ever see them reaching anything too high!

superleeds27 · 16 Feb 2019 at 19:23

Danny75 said:
Oh ohhhh wait. You bought the Arctic P14 PWM not the Noctua Redux NF-P14s that Mike mentioned earlier lol. Yeah those are 27mm thick instead of 25mm.

I did yeah. Wasn't something I thought if really, just automatically thought they'd fit. Snapping the clip off and screwing in the two screws at the bottom sorted it though!

Time to tinker with fan%'s and curves! :/