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Case fans / Air flow

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  • Fan
  • Cases
  • Computers
  • air flow
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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August 9, 2013 8:24:34 AM

Hello, I recently asked which GPU I should get, either the GTX 770 or the HD 7970. I ended up choosing the GTX770, but now I have another question about the case fans and the airflow.

This is my case: BitFenix Shenobi.

This is how it looks from the inside:


This are the available places for fans:
Cooling Front 2 x 120mm (optional)
Cooling Rear 1 x 120mm (included) or 1 x 92mm (optional)
Cooling Side Panel N/A
Cooling Top 2 x 140mm or 2 x 120mm (optional)
Cooling Bottom 1 x 120mm (optional)

My question is, which fans should I buy (and how do I know if it is a good fan), and in which position I should put them, for the best cooling. I'm trying to avoid to put fans on the bottom since the computer is on the ground.

Thank you

More about : case fans air flow

August 9, 2013 8:36:32 AM

The left side of the picture is the back, the right side of the picture is the front.

This is another perspective.
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August 9, 2013 8:37:26 AM

In the front, out the back.

You already have one exhaust in the back. Add one (or two) intake in the front.
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Related resources
August 9, 2013 8:41:22 AM

USAFRet said:
In the front, out the back.

You already have one exhaust in the back. Add one (or two) intake in the front.


I was thinking of putting 2x140mm on the top (since the hot hair goes up), adding 1x92mm on the back and I don't really know on the front side, since there is space for two but it is covered with plastic.
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August 9, 2013 8:49:42 AM

Myntekt said:
USAFRet said:
In the front, out the back.

You already have one exhaust in the back. Add one (or two) intake in the front.


I was thinking of putting 2x140mm on the top (since the hot hair goes up), adding 1x92mm on the back and I don't really know on the front side, since there is space for two but it is covered with plastic.


It comes with a 120mm on the back. An extra 92mm probably isn't needed.
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August 9, 2013 9:44:13 AM

USAFRet said:
Myntekt said:
USAFRet said:
In the front, out the back.

You already have one exhaust in the back. Add one (or two) intake in the front.


I was thinking of putting 2x140mm on the top (since the hot hair goes up), adding 1x92mm on the back and I don't really know on the front side, since there is space for two but it is covered with plastic.


It comes with a 120mm on the back. An extra 92mm probably isn't needed.


So you are saying I should add 2x140mm on the top, sucking air, and 2x120mm on the front blowing air right?
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Best solution

August 9, 2013 9:47:24 AM

Myntekt said:
USAFRet said:
Myntekt said:
USAFRet said:
In the front, out the back.

You already have one exhaust in the back. Add one (or two) intake in the front.


I was thinking of putting 2x140mm on the top (since the hot hair goes up), adding 1x92mm on the back and I don't really know on the front side, since there is space for two but it is covered with plastic.


It comes with a 120mm on the back. An extra 92mm probably isn't needed.


So you are saying I should add 2x140mm on the top, sucking air, and 2x120mm on the front blowing air right?


I'd start with just 1 or 2 in the front. Add the top ones later, if and only if you see the need for it.
More fans is not always better.
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 9:54:02 AM

If you just add fans to the top you are just pulling air out( like sucking on a straw ). Put a fan or 2 in the front and the top and you will get a better air flow thru the case. You get better cooling with push/pull than pull only or push only.

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 9:58:19 AM

Anonymous said:
If you just add fans to the top you are just pulling air out( like sucking on a straw ). Put a fan or 2 in the front and the top and you will get a better air flow thru the case.

arrpee


In which directions? I've been told that it is better to have a good air direction (some out and other in) rather than all blowing air inside..

By the way, I was saying that I was going to add 4 fans, in total 5.
Two fans in the front of the case blowing air in, and 2 fans at the top sucking air out.
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:01:57 AM

Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
If you just add fans to the top you are just pulling air out( like sucking on a straw ). Put a fan or 2 in the front and the top and you will get a better air flow thru the case.

arrpee


In which directions? I've been told that it is better to have a good air direction (some out and other in) rather than all blowing air inside..



Pull air in the front and push air out the top/back. Hot air rises.

arrpee
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:05:12 AM

Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
If you just add fans to the top you are just pulling air out( like sucking on a straw ). Put a fan or 2 in the front and the top and you will get a better air flow thru the case.

arrpee


In which directions? I've been told that it is better to have a good air direction (some out and other in) rather than all blowing air inside..

By the way, I was saying that I was going to add 4 fans, in total 5.
Two fans in the front of the case blowing air in, and 2 fans at the top sucking air out.


That's your best bet. You can never have to much cooling.

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 10:10:58 AM

Anonymous said:


That's your best bet. You can never have to much cooling.

arrpee


Yes you can.
When the temperature change approaches zero, and the noise level increases...you have too much.
Meaning - if I add 2 more fans, but it only reduces the temp by 1C, and adds noise....that is too much.
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August 9, 2013 10:14:28 AM

I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:18:36 AM

Myntekt said:
I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out


yes

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 10:20:11 AM

Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out


yes

arrpee


On the top, 2x140mm or 2x120mm?
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August 9, 2013 10:20:30 AM

Myntekt said:
I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out


Yes, that will work.
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August 9, 2013 10:23:09 AM

USAFRet said:
Myntekt said:
I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out


Yes, that will work.


Should I place 2x140mm or 2x120mm on the top?
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:24:55 AM

USAFRet said:
Anonymous said:


That's your best bet. You can never have to much cooling.

arrpee


Yes you can.
When the temperature change approaches zero, and the noise level increases...you have too much.
Meaning - if I add 2 more fans, but it only reduces the temp by 1C, and adds noise....that is too much.


I have roughly the same setup
1 - 200mm intake front
2 - 120mm top exhaust
H80 push/pull intake
8350
7870XT blowing hot air into case
and with this my cpu idles at 28 degrees my gpu idles at 32 degrees during gaming my cpu goes to 40-42 degrees and my gpu to low 50s

arrpee
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:27:11 AM

Myntekt said:
USAFRet said:
Myntekt said:
I didn't want to buy two fans now and the other 2 then, because the shipping costs, and I buy my gear from a german webstore, and I live in Portugal.

Just to confirm:

+ 2x 120mm front - in
+ 2x 140mm (or 120mm?) top - out
= 1x 120mm (already there) back - out


Yes, that will work.


Should I place 2x140mm or 2x120mm on the top?


either will do

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 10:28:24 AM

Could one of you answer the question? xD
Should I add 2x140mm or 2x120mm at the top? They do both work.


Nevermind
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August 9, 2013 10:35:22 AM

My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7


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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 10:57:22 AM

Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 12:18:35 PM

So none of them? How much airflow should it have?
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August 9, 2013 3:43:57 PM

Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
So none of them? How much airflow should it have?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These would do or anything similar.

arrpee


First that one is too expensive (And I don't know where they are from and if they ship to Europe). Second, shouldn't the air flow thing be higher? That one is only 39.88 CFM, and I found one, for a much cheaper price, with 3000rpm instead of 1100 and 130cfm instead of the 39.88CFM.

That's why I asked before, what do I need to consider for a good fan?
Rotation Speed? Air flow? Sound Emission?
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August 9, 2013 4:04:00 PM

Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2

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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 4:40:05 PM

Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These are better but louder. These are examples, I don't know what is available in Portugal. Also they are 2 packs (2-fans)


arrpee
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August 9, 2013 4:53:14 PM

Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These are better but louder. These are examples, I don't know what is available in Portugal. Also they are 2 packs (2-fans)


arrpee


I usually buy them on a german store, but I'm going to buy the fans in a Portuguese one.
I've found a few ones that I think are great, can you check them?

120mm:
1 or 2 or 3 or 4?

140mm:
1 or 2?

0.5 sone = 24.4dba

Choose on of the 120mm and one of the 140mm please
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Anonymous
August 9, 2013 6:07:16 PM

Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These are better but louder. These are examples, I don't know what is available in Portugal. Also they are 2 packs (2-fans)


arrpee


I usually buy them on a german store, but I'm going to buy the fans in a Portuguese one.
I've found a few ones that I think are great, can you check them?

120mm:
1 or 2 or 3 or 4?

140mm:
1 or 2?

0.5 sone = 24.4dba

Choose on of the 120mm and one of the 140mm please


Any of the fans will work. I personally would use the corsair fans(and i do).
120mm -1
140mm -2

arrpee
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August 9, 2013 8:49:14 PM

Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These are better but louder. These are examples, I don't know what is available in Portugal. Also they are 2 packs (2-fans)


arrpee


I usually buy them on a german store, but I'm going to buy the fans in a Portuguese one.
I've found a few ones that I think are great, can you check them?

120mm:
1 or 2 or 3 or 4?

140mm:
1 or 2?

0.5 sone = 24.4dba

Choose on of the 120mm and one of the 140mm please


Any of the fans will work. I personally would use the corsair fans(and i do).
120mm -1
140mm -2

arrpee


But both of them have lower CFM and higher dba.. Why should I choose those ones over the others?
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Anonymous
August 10, 2013 2:06:02 AM

Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
Anonymous said:
Myntekt said:
My second question is, which fans?
How do I know it's a good fan?
What should I consider?
I'm thinking of buying fans from the same company as the case, BitFenix.

BitFenix usually as the same model, one with LEDs and other without. I'd like to have the ones with LEDs.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7




All you need are high airflow fans, not high air pressure fans(these are used for water cooled rads/cpu coolers)

arrpee


By the way, did you actually see all the links?
There are more than one with lesser than 1mmH2O (0.62 to be exact, being the ones that you said 0,5 or something like that).

This two don't say anything about water or cpu cooling:

1
2



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
These are better but louder. These are examples, I don't know what is available in Portugal. Also they are 2 packs (2-fans)


arrpee


I usually buy them on a german store, but I'm going to buy the fans in a Portuguese one.
I've found a few ones that I think are great, can you check them?

120mm:
1 or 2 or 3 or 4?

140mm:
1 or 2?

0.5 sone = 24.4dba

Choose on of the 120mm and one of the 140mm please


Any of the fans will work. I personally would use the corsair fans(and i do).
120mm -1
140mm -2

arrpee


But both of them have lower CFM and higher dba.. Why should I choose those ones over the others?


Quality

arrpee
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