Optimal airflow for Pure Base 500

southernorth · 2 Jun 2020 at 13:17

Hi, with this case I've currently got 4x BeQuiet! Pure Wings 2 (1000rpm) setup like this:

Are those the optimal positions for airflow and low temps? Have seen temps get quite hot recently in past few weeks. Rest of PC is 3770k + hyper 212 and RX 570.

Richdog · 2 Jun 2020 at 19:26

I will be interested in this thread as I am looking at potentially buying this case. The Pure Wings 2 fans are very low speed though so I guess this impacts airflow. The top panel also seems a bit restrictive without the magnetic top panel replacement.

southernorth · 2 Jun 2020 at 19:36

Richdog said:
I will be interested in this thread as I am looking at potentially buying this case. The Pure Wings 2 fans are very low speed though so I guess this impacts airflow. The top panel also seems a bit restrictive without the magnetic top panel replacement.

Low airflow indeed. When I put my hand behind fans I can barely feel anything (when front panel is on). In fairness everything is silent when idle/light gaming but after heavy gaming the CPU and GPU fans get loud as I assume the case airflow is too low.

Richdog · 2 Jun 2020 at 20:29

Ok, I have just ordered the case and also 3x extra 140mm fans (same as come with the case so that the soud profile is all equal) so I will have 2 pulling air in, 1 out the back and two out the top.

Have you tried taking off the top panel and using the black filter panel that comes with it instead?

I will be runing a 3700x and a Noctua NH-D15 so hopefully heat will be decently managed with a CPU like that that is efficient. I will be putting a 3080 in there though when they are released, so lets see how it handles that.

southernorth · 2 Jun 2020 at 20:40

Richdog said:
Ok, I have just ordered the case and also 3x extra 140mm fans (same as come with the case so that the soud profile is all equal) so I will have 2 pulling air in, 1 out the back and two out the top.

Have you tried taking off the top panel and using the black filter panel that comes with it instead?

I will be runing a 3700x and a Noctua NH-D15 so hopefully heat will be decently managed with a CPU like that that is efficient. I will be putting a 3080 in there though when they are released, so lets see how it handles that.

Yeah I've experimented with swapping the top panels. Slightly quiter with the dampened one, but hard to tell the temperature difference. I've also taken out the 2nd layer of filters on the front panel, seems to help airflow a little bit. With an NH-D15 it should be really quiet as it's a much better cooler than a hyper 212.

Relentless81 · 2 Jun 2020 at 20:41

Look up hardware Canucks on YouTube, they tested this case with all the different fan layouts

In my Meshify C which is a very similar case I have 2 140mm intakes at the front and one 120mm exhaust at the rear, adding another exhaust at the top closest to the rear dropped a degree in a system temp so I removed it as the difference wasn't worth the additional noise, cabling, negative pressure.

Richdog · 2 Jun 2020 at 20:50

southernorth said:
Yeah I've experimented with swapping the top panels. Slightly quiter with the dampened one, but hard to tell the temperature difference. I've also taken out the 2nd layer of filters on the front panel, seems to help airflow a little bit. With an NH-D15 it should be really quiet as it's a much better cooler than a hyper 212.

Maybe its useful if you say what temps you are getting and also your ambient room temperature? What temps are you expecting and judging against?

doyll · 3 Jun 2020 at 10:35

Good way to start might be to read basic guide to how airflow works and how to optimize case airflow in link below:
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...-i-put-my-temp-sensor.18564223/#post-26159770

Link below about how airflow and static pressure specifications relate to real world use might aldso be of helpful:
https://www.overclock.net/forum/22644574-post11.html

Pure Wings 2 120mm fans are really not up to the task of case intake fans. Even at 1500rpm they only make 1.25mm H2O static pressure or 51.4cfm. By comparison, Silent Wing 3 120mm at 1450rpm make 1.79mm H2O static pressure or 50.5cfm airflow. Fan airflow specification is how much air fan can flow at full speed with no resistance .. a fan on a stand with nothng around out. Static pressure is how much pressure fan can push into a sealed container at full speed. Neither of these applications is a way we use our fan.

Static pressure rating is key to fan's ablity to flow a decent amount of air by being able to overcome resistance of things like grills, filters, cables, etc and be able to flow a

High static pressure rating is key to having good case fans. Case intake fans need to have 1.5mm H2O static pressure rating or greater at 1300-1500rpm so they have high enoujgh pressure rating at speeds we normally run our case fans to overcome grill and filter resistance.

3x 120mm high pressure rated intake fans with all openings not covered by fans in fan mounting panel blocked so air can't leak into front of fans and go in circles but must flow on through case and out the back. Remove all PCIe back slot covers to increase rear vent area so more air can flow past GPU and out the back. With this setup of high pressure rated intake fans no exhaust fans are required. End result is a cool and quiet running system.

I would suggest PH-F120MP fan 2-pack for £14.99 so £7.50 a fan, but they are our of stock.

While their pressure rating is not super high at full speed, they make more pressure between 600-1200rpm than others so move more air through grill and filter applications in speed range we use our fans.

Richdog · 3 Jun 2020 at 10:41

doyll said:
Good way to start might be to read basic guide to how airflow works and how to optimize case airflow in link below:
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...-i-put-my-temp-sensor.18564223/#post-26159770

Link below about how airflow and static pressure specifications relate to real world use might aldso be of helpful:
https://www.overclock.net/forum/22644574-post11.html

Pure Wings 2 120mm fans are really not up to the task of case intake fans. Even at 1500rpm they only make 1.25mm H2O static pressure or 51.4cfm. By comparison, Silent Wing 3 120mm at 1450rpm make 1.79mm H2O static pressure or 50.5cfm airflow. Fan airflow specification is how much air fan can flow at full speed with no resistance .. a fan on a stand with nothng around out. Static pressure is how much pressure fan can push into a sealed container at full speed. Neither of these applications is a way we use our fan.

Hmm I just ordered another 3 fans for the case and planned on using 2x PW2, 2 on the top and 1 on the back. Surely they should do the job to generate airflow, even if they don't give the coolest temps? I bought these BL047 ones... 61.2CFM / 18.8dba decibels https://www.bequiet.com/en/casefans/448

doyll · 3 Jun 2020 at 11:15

You obviously didn't read or don't understand what is in links I suggested you read. You need higher pressure rated fans for intake than you now have .. and the fans you just ordered have even
lower pressure ratings that what you now have.

If you read the links I supplied, you need to read them again. They explain how airflow works, how to setup good case airflow and how fan static pressure and airflow specs relate to our use of fan.

southernorth · 3 Jun 2020 at 11:20

doyll said:
Good way to start might be to read basic guide to how airflow works and how to optimize case airflow in link below:
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/t...-i-put-my-temp-sensor.18564223/#post-26159770

Link below about how airflow and static pressure specifications relate to real world use might aldso be of helpful:
https://www.overclock.net/forum/22644574-post11.html

Pure Wings 2 120mm fans are really not up to the task of case intake fans. Even at 1500rpm they only make 1.25mm H2O static pressure or 51.4cfm. By comparison, Silent Wing 3 120mm at 1450rpm make 1.79mm H2O static pressure or 50.5cfm airflow. Fan airflow specification is how much air fan can flow at full speed with no resistance .. a fan on a stand with nothng around out. Static pressure is how much pressure fan can push into a sealed container at full speed. Neither of these applications is a way we use our fan.

Static pressure rating is key to fan's ablity to flow a decent amount of air by being able to overcome resistance of things like grills, filters, cables, etc and be able to flow a

High static pressure rating is key to having good case fans. Case intake fans need to have 1.5mm H2O static pressure rating or greater at 1300-1500rpm so they have high enoujgh pressure rating at speeds we normally run our case fans to overcome grill and filter resistance.

3x 120mm high pressure rated intake fans with all openings not covered by fans in fan mounting panel blocked so air can't leak into front of fans and go in circles but must flow on through case and out the back. Remove all PCIe back slot covers to increase rear vent area so more air can flow past GPU and out the back. With this setup of high pressure rated intake fans no exhaust fans are required. End result is a cool and quiet running system.

I would suggest PH-F120MP fan 2-pack for £14.99 so £7.50 a fan, but they are our of stock. While their pressure rating is not super high at full speed, they make more pressure between 600-1200rpm than others so move more air through grill and filter applications in speed range we use our fans.

Thanks for the tips there. As I would prefer to not buy extra fans, would you suggest the best thing I can do is remove the PCI covers for GPU and remove 2nd mesh layer on front intake but keep the fans orientated how they are? I think I currently have a slightly negative airflow in case - as the 2 front are more restricted (by mesh) then 2 exhausts which are not mesh covered.

doyll · 3 Jun 2020 at 14:12

To use the fans you have they will need to be running full speed whenever system is in use. Removing PCIe covers will help give better front to back airflow, but exhaust fans in top from about middle of CPU cooler forward will hurt case airflow and cooling, not help it. Key to a cool and quiet system is smooth airflow moving cool air flowing to component coolers, then their heated exhaust flowing smoothing back and out of case. Tower CPU coolers make it easy to do for CPU, but GPU cooler dump heat air in all directions except their fan side, so the better case flows air from front to back, the less heated air coming off of GPU will move up and mix with cool air flowing to CPU cooler.

For all practical purposes case airflow is neutral pressure. Fans make less than 2mm H2O static pressure differential from room ambient pressure. 2mm H2O pressure differential is the same as the difference between the air pressure on your feet and the pressure on your chest when standing at sea level .. almost no pressure difference at all, but enough to move a little air.

Richdog · 3 Jun 2020 at 15:40

doyll said:
You obviously didn't read or don't understand what is in links I suggested you read. You need higher pressure rated fans for intake than you now have .. and the fans you just ordered have even
lower pressure ratings that what you now have.

If you read the links I supplied, you need to read them again. They explain how airflow works, how to setup good case airflow and how fan static pressure and airflow specs relate to our use of fan.

I read it but I'm not sure if the ones I ordered will not aI guess I was just in doubt if the fans were basically going to have no effect.

Anyway, I have been thinking and in the end I think it may be better to order the Be Quiet 500DX with USB-C and mesh front as my room does get very warm in summer. It also comes with 3x fans so I just need to order another two.

southernorth · 3 Jun 2020 at 15:47

Richdog said:
I read it but I'm not sure if the ones I ordered will not aI guess I was just in doubt if the fans were basically going to have no effect.

Anyway, I have been thinking and in the end I think it may be better to order the Be Quiet 500DX with USB-C and mesh front as my room does get very warm in summer. It also comes with 3x fans so I just need to order another two.

The Phanteks P400A / P300A are two other options that perform similarly for temps to the 500DX. The 500DX would be a better option for temps v 500, and in hindsight I would have probably got that if I saw it. Although it does have the same fans the regular 500 has.
But you don't get the sound-dampening with Phanteks, so a trade-off there.

doyll · 3 Jun 2020 at 15:55

Richdog said:
I read it but I'm not sure if the ones I ordered will not aI guess I was just in doubt if the fans were basically going to have no effect.

Anyway, I have been thinking and in the end I think it may be better to order the Be Quiet 500DX with USB-C and mesh front as my room does get very warm in summer. It also comes with 3x fans so I just need to order another two.

Sorry to be blunt and sound like a know-it-all, but I do know a lot about airflow and how to setup computers (and other things) to have good airflow. You need to forget about case revivews who rarely know anythng about airflow, fan pressure ratinng, etc and listen to people (like me) who know how airflow works, what to look for in fans to have good case airflow and how to setup computer cases so they run cool and quiet.

Case with every vent filled with fans that do not have high enough pressure rating to overcome grill and filter resistance will still not have good airflow and will run hot and loud.

Case with just intake fans with high stsatic pressure ratings will flow plenty of air and run cool and quiet.

Richdog · 3 Jun 2020 at 16:30

southernorth said:
The Phanteks P400A / P300A are two other options that perform similarly for temps to the 500DX. The 500DX would be a better option for temps v 500, and in hindsight I would have probably got that if I saw it. Although it does have the same fans the regular 500 has.
But you don't get the sound-dampening with Phanteks, so a trade-off there.

Yeah, the 500DX seems to be the best all-rounder at its price point and at least I am still in a position to return the 500 without any hassle. Shame though as I LOVED the gunmetal grey colour.

doyll said:
Sorry to be blunt and sound like a know-it-all, but I do know a lot about airflow and how to setup computers (and other things) to have good airflow. You need to forget about case revivews who rarely know anythng about airflow, fan pressure ratinng, etc and listen to people (like me) who know how airflow works, what to look for in fans to have good case airflow and how to setup computer cases so they run cool and quiet.

Case with every vent filled with fans that do not have high enough pressure rating to overcome grill and filter resistance will still not have good airflow and will run hot and loud.

Case with just intake fans with high stsatic pressure ratings will flow plenty of air and run cool and quiet.

My good man, bluntness is fine and I will always take advice on board and into consideration so your posts are appreciated. I think the 500DX with mesh will be a better choice for a warm Summer apartment and I will return the 500 for a refund.

With a mesh case like the DX500 do you still need higher pressure fans like the PH-F120MP or would the Pure Wing 2's also work for that? The 500DX comes with 3x Pure WIng 2 140mm's so shall I just put then at the top and rear and then get 2x higher pressure for the front? I do want a pretty quiet system...

doyll · 3 Jun 2020 at 17:07

500DX should flow better, but still has same garbage low pressure fans. That 140mm model are only 900rpm at full speed so less than 0.76mm H2O pressure rating which is barely going to be able to move any air at full speed. Good intakes like PH-F140MP make that at about 800rpm and run up to almow 2.3mm H2O at 1400rpm full speed moving way more air through grill and filter. Stock front intakes will still only flow as much as full speed as a good higher pressure rated fan will at about 1000rpm. Below data is from same fan but with housing used on PH-TC14PE and other 140mm fanned coolers. Specs are also same at same rpm as no model number Phanteks case fans with same impeller design as PH-F140MP. My case fans idle at about 600rpm and at moderate load run 900-1000rpm. At 100% CPU load do they run up to about 1150-1200rpm unless it's supper hot and filters are dirty. Sadly the new P400A adn P300A do not come with these fans, Phanteks does not give their specs and I have not tested them so can't say how good/bad they are.

Gamernexus tested P400A. They are a oretty good review site.
https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwrevie...al-rgb-case-review-airflow-mesh-panel-testing

southernorth · 23 Jun 2020 at 11:52

@Richdog Did you get a 500DX in the end - if so how is it?

Richdog · 23 Jun 2020 at 12:17

southernorth said:
@Richdog Did you get a 500DX in the end - if so how is it?

Yup I bought it but it's not set up yet as I still have to receive my mobo! I unpacked and have been looking at it today and have put the fans in a config with 2x at the front as intake and one at the back as exhaust, with none at the top. The screws for the fans are HORRIBLE, very thick with soft metal. One or two have been a real pain to screw in, grr. I also removed the drive cage as I don't use anything except SSD's.

The front panel requires some real effort to get off, I was afraid I would break it. Not ideal and I may even just leave it off. Lets see.

Other than that it looks very nice quality for what it costs!

Richdog · 23 Jun 2020 at 15:27

southernorth said:
@Richdog Did you get a 500DX in the end - if so how is it?

Just found and watched this video and it was very interesting how the different fan configs affected temps with the 500DX/ I just configured mine with the 2x intake and 1x rear exhaust.