My Case Setup with H60 - bad temps (maybe) or just me?

[CeePeeBee]

Hi Guys

I've been struggling with this for some time.

So, first, the basics.

I5-3570K O/C 4.2Ghz
8GB Kingston RAM
P8Z77-LX 2
GTX 970 G1 Gaming (Gigabyte)
2 x 120GB SSD
1 x 1TB scratch storage
650W Seasonic Gold Plus PSU
Carbide 300R case

All of this is cooled by a number of fans:

Firstly, a Noctua NF-A15 (150mm) intake at the front of my case. Then we have a side intake blowing onto the GPU. This is a Corsair AF140. Then finally, we have my recently re-mounted and config-swapped, H60. This is now in a push pull configuration split out from the same header using Noctua NF-S12A 120mm. These are exhausting out of the back of the case.

So...the 970 is new for a start, but even before this, temps have been high (imo).

As I type, they are idling at anywhere from 30oC (which is good for this rig) and 45oC. Under simple load, it seems my CPU temps are consistently around 60oC. This is with a fairly strict fan curve to keep noise down. GPU is absolutely fine.

As I type this I'm struck by the fact that they don't seem that high. When I tell you that when I had the Hyper Evo 212 air cooler on here it was idling at about the same but under load hit 50 at a push, you can see why I'm a little confused.

So, I have a few questions. Bare in mind that the goal of this rig is tilted towards silence and acceptable temps (again, fans need to be silent) over performance.

1) Based on the setup above, and the image, would you change the configuration of the fans at all?
2) Is the H60 just a poor product and if I really want to see anything tangiable in terms of an improvement, should I be looking at an h100i or a Swiftech model?
3) If you were cooling this rig, in this case, what would you do, again, taking into consideration the requirements.

Thanks for your assistance on this guys. I'm not adverse to chucking some more money at the problem, but as I've just spunked cash on 2 new S24H15 monitors, a GTX 970, and Christmas presents, I'd like this purchase to be more considered.

Image of case fan setup:

 

[Terminal_Boy]

I see 3 immediate points to consider:

1. You're pushing warm air from inside the case through the CPU radiator. My H60 with the included static pressure fan is set as per the manual to push cool air from outside the case through the radiator.

2. Static pressure fans don't move air quickly, so it will be restricting the only exhaust path your system has.

3. The only reason your system isn't cooking is that the GPU fans and the 2 intake fans must be forcing hot air out of the top of your case.

 

[CeePeeBee]

OK, many thanks for the observations.

I can obviously switch the push/pull to as per the manual and blow hot air into the case... I suppose an exhaust at the top would be worthwhile then.

Any other ideas?

 

[almighty15]

You're GPU fan is wrong, as your GPU vents hot air into the case you need to have the side panel fan sucking the hot air out of the case and not blowing in.

The rule is if your GPU vents hot air externally the side fan is an intake, if your GPU vents internally then it becomes and out take.

So it should be:

Front fan - Intake
Side fan - Out take
Rear fan - Out take

Ideally you need to mount your H60 in the roof blowing cool air in and then just a normal fan for rear exhaust.

 

[CeePeeBee]

You're GPU fan is wrong, as your GPU vents hot air into the case you need to have the side panel fan sucking the hot air out of the case and not blowing in.

The rule is if your GPU vents hot air externally the side fan is an intake, if your GPU vents internally then it becomes and out take.

So it should be:

Front fan - Intake
Side fan - Out take
Rear fan - Out take

Ideally you need to mount your H60 in the roof blowing cool air in and then just a normal fan for rear exhaust.

I'm thinking about getting an h100i so I can whack that in the top and have a standard exhaust. I can then just have pretty much what you suggested.

Front - 150mm intake
Side - 140mm exhaust
Rear - 140/120mm Exhaust
Top - H100i intake.

Thoughts?

 

[Gilbert89]

I'm thinking about getting an h100i so I can whack that in the top and have a standard exhaust. I can then just have pretty much what you suggested.

Front - 150mm intake
Side - 140mm exhaust
Rear - 140/120mm Exhaust
Top - H100i intake.

Thoughts?

Would be a good option,

But surely the H60 can be mounted up top and do a good enough job? Unless you are planning to overclock the CPU hugely?

Cheaper fix

 

[CeePeeBee]

Would be a good option,

But surely the H60 can be mounted up top and do a good enough job? Unless you are planning to overclock the CPU hugely?

Cheaper fix

It certainly could. I could try that actually. I think I'll remount it also.

So option one is remount and move to the top as intake with additional intakes at front and side, and exhaust at rear.

Option 2 is spend some mullah on an H100i

 

[Gilbert89]

It certainly could. I could try that actually. I think I'll remount it also.

So option one is remount and move to the top as intake with additional intakes at front and side, and exhaust at rear.

Option 2 is spend some mullah on an H100i

Overclockers built my system but im confused on why the builder has placed my H60 where he has.

Corsair 450D

140MM Intake (Front)
140MM Intake (Front)
120MM Exhaust (Removed)
H60i Rear (Exhaust)

So in the same situation as you although my temps are ok but that's not the point!


My temps are low stock 4690k but the point is even in the H60 manual it claims having as intake is optimal performance since heat isn't being dragged through the radiator, plus I have on the top of my case space for 3 x 120MM fans/H100i etc therefore surely it would have been better to fit the cooler there and leave the remaining exhaust where it was or to even go push and pull but no my rear exhaust wasn't even in the box I received!!!