Cooling Setup Positioning: Fractal Design Define R4 w/ 2 extra NF-A14 FLX fans

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cbpx

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Jan 1, 2014
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10,510
Hello all,

As I am writing this, I am assembling my PC*.

Due to the video card I am using, heat management will be vital.

I need help with the placement of the two extra fans inside the R4 case.

After reading tons, I was initially planning on having this configuration: 1 rear exhaust fan, 1 top exhaust fan, 1 front intake fan and 1 intake fan (either front or side if cooler permits, bottom blocked by the big PSU)

However, the more I read, the more confused I am.
Particularly, SilverStone's point #6, creates great confusion.

Every other thread I have read, say to place exhaust fans on top and rear, however the article above say otherwise.

Please help me out with my fan setup.

Thanks,
Paul

*System Specs:
- Fractal Desine Define R4 windowless (removed HDD bottom and middle trays)
- 2x 140mm NF-A14 FLX fans
- i7-4930k
- ASRock x79 Extreme6
- Noctua NH-D14
- 64GB G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series
- Radeon R9 290 (original cooler)
- 250GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
- Optical Drive
- 3TB Toshiba HDD (goes in the top 5" tray under the Optical drive, no fan blowing on it)
- 1050W SeaSonic X-series
 
Solution
2
For your R4, Use the two fans that come with the case as front intake fans, and one A14FLX exhaust at the back.
Then, watch (monitor) the temperatures under load.
I believe your temperatures will be good; however, if they end up being higher that you want, simply add the other A14FLX and see (measure) what its effect is in any configuration you want (top exhaust or side intake).
Let the observed data determine the best placement for your remaining fan.
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2x4b

Honorable
Oct 28, 2013
775
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11,360
For your R4, Use the two fans that come with the case as front intake fans, and one A14FLX exhaust at the back.
Then, watch (monitor) the temperatures under load.
I believe your temperatures will be good; however, if they end up being higher that you want, simply add the other A14FLX and see (measure) what its effect is in any configuration you want (top exhaust or side intake).
Let the observed data determine the best placement for your remaining fan.
 
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Solution
C

cbpx

Honorable
Jan 1, 2014
11
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10,510

Fans have been moved. Not sure if I should leave the top grill opened or close it up.



The case has a side panel fan mounting option. However, until I assemble everything, I can't say if the cooler will allow for a side fan. I am posting two pics to get an idea. The height of the cooler is ~16cm, the height of the case, leaving some space for the motherboard is ~18cm. The fan height is ~2.5cm. This leaves me with a negative 0.5cm for the side fan. Maybe more once I install everything.



 
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cbpx

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Jan 1, 2014
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Not sure I understand, but yes, the PSU can draw air from the bottom of the case ~90% of the fan aligns with the grill.

For the remaining space, the PCIe/CPU power slot on the PSU will block any installation of a bottom fan. However, there is space for air to pass by.
 
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2x4b

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Oct 28, 2013
775
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I would leave it closed. My thinking is to allow any extra air pressure generated by the two front fans to force the air across the GPU towards the rear, rather than allow it to flow up.


I know on my R4, there wasn't much room above my heatsink. I was able to fit a fan on the floor in front of the PSU (but it was only an old 80mm that I had laying around doing nothing).
 
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C

cbpx

Honorable
Jan 1, 2014
11
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10,510

Thanks for your help. I will close them up.

With the remaining fan, I will try to put it on the side and see how it behaves. As for a bottom fan, I will look for something smaller, maybe a 120mm will fit.

As of now the system is booting and all looks ok.

Word of WARNING: The end sliders on the PCIe slots slide. I broke one thinking it would move sideways like on my old setup.

NOTE: The PCIe 1 slot is blocked by the Cooler fan snapping metals. Either bend those or use the other slots.
 
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