Fan configuration with my build.

Jonathan Cave · Feb 15, 2014

i5 4670k @ 4.2Ghz w/ Evo 212.
MSI Z87-G45 Gaming (16/8,8/4,4,4)
Sapphire Toxic R9 280x (Master) Drivers v13.12
MSG Gaming OC R9 280x (Slave) Drivers v13.12
Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB SSD
Seagate Barracuda 2TB
XFX 850W Bronze.
3 x LG 24EA53V-P 23.8" Displays
Fractal Design Define R4

i'm considering getting another intake fan for the front (making 2 in total) 1 at the bottom, and an additional exhaust fan at the top.

i assume these will do the job? http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fan-fdfanssr2140

scout_03 · Feb 15, 2014

see this you could had one in the bottom and on the side panel as intake and 2 on top as outake http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r4-black-pearl

Jonathan Cave · Feb 15, 2014

This is what i'm considering, will it work ? is there a better way ?

the red ovals are new fan's.
the arrows represent pull or push air.
my cpu pushes air through the heatsink then out the exhaust.

Jonathan Cave · Feb 15, 2014

my motherboard only supports 2 x CPU fans and 3 system fans. (i only have 1 x cpu and 1 x sysfan free)

if i go with 3 additional fans as per the pic with the arrows on it, what is the best way to connect these?

my case has a 3v 7v and 12v fan control thing which i assume is manual fan speed control ?

in which case, how should i set up my fans and what should they connect to ? my understanding is if i use CPUFAN2 and SYSFAN3 the bios/software will run the fans at my desired speeds. then the question of how to connect the 3rd fan?

sorry im terribly confused on this matter and i hope some of you knowledgeable guys can give me some detailed sound advice to follow.

scout_03 · Feb 15, 2014

the 2 on the top could be connect together with a splitter on a connector and you could do the same for the 2 front one on front sys fan then the new bottom to the lower sys fan get 4 pins pwm fans so the board could contol them or use the internal controller for the top and bottom one ,with those set up check the temp and keep the coolest set up .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 16, 2014

if i got a splitter would that enable me to run 2 x fans from one SYSFAN connector? if so point me in the direction online for one please?

are these ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StarTech-com-12in-TX3-Fan-Power-Splitter-Cable-/370992293414?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5660dd2626

won't that 1/2 the power to each fan?

cheers

scout_03 · Feb 16, 2014

i susggest you this one if you have 4 pins fan http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Startech-FAN4SPLIT12-12in-4-Pin-Fan-Power-Splitter-Cable-F-M-/300937797554?pt=UK_Computing_Case_Fans&hash=item46114a5fb2 since the are pwm from the motherboard the other for the 3 pins one will work but wont be pwm from the motherboard and this will use all the power needed fron the board connector .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 16, 2014

what does the NC stand for ?

the fans have 3 pins mate not 4, what do you suggest?

scout_03 · Feb 16, 2014

then you could use the cable from the link you post they will run at full speed all the time and the 4 pins one will be monitor by the motherboard for the speed with the temp sennsor on the system , where did you get those nc letter from ?

zeph_yr · Feb 16, 2014

You can run three fans from the case's fan controller, leaving two for the motherboard to control (do you have two open fan ports?).

Also, i'm not sure where you put your computer, but if it's on top of carpet like in the picture then the bottom fan won't do much.

Jonathan Cave · Feb 17, 2014

scout_03 :

the 4th pin on the manual i uploaded a photo of.

zeph_yr :

so are you saying i can use a splitter on 1 x SYSFAN for 2 X FAN's and the motherboard will control both via 1 splitter?

i have 1 x CPU fan and 1 x SYSFAN left

the case has a controller for 3 more fans at 3v 7v or 12v (manual switch) which don't have anything plugged in.

my desktop is raised off the floor mate

scout_03 · Feb 17, 2014

that will work and you could aslo use the fan controller for the top at full and the side at low or mid and the front at mid or high . that is the pwm connector and motherboard control the speed of the fan if they are 4 pins very good .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 18, 2014

scout_03 :

When you mentioned side fan, which one are you referring to ?

I take it tjeres no benefit if I ran all fans at 100% ? It's a very quiet case currently with both fans at 100%

scout_03 · Feb 18, 2014

tihs is the black pearl one look at left panel you could put a fan there or use the bottom hole in front of the psu .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 27, 2014

thanks for all your help so far.

i have a dilemma.

the 140mm fans are out of stock in most stores and there's plenty of 120mm fans but they have 1200RPM / 40.6 CFM which is 40% less than the 140mm 1000 RPM 66.0 CFM

So i start looking at 120mm fans and there seems to be loads which have better CFM than the ones above.

really need some advice here as im literally ready to buy!

This is my new plan:

i will be using splitters on SYSFAN 1 & 2.

The connectors i have on the 2 fans i already own and the 4 additional fans all have 3 x pin connectors and connect to pins 1-3. the existing ones are controlled by the motherboard.

you said earlier to buy this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Startech-FAN4SPLIT12-12in-4-Pin-Fan-Power-Splitter-Cable-F-M-/300937797554?pt=UK_Computing_Case_Fans&hash=item46114a5fb2 instead of this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StarTech-com-12in-TX3-Fan-Power-Splitter-Cable-/370992293414?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5660dd2626

(4 pin vs 3 pin)

my pins i curerntly use on sysfan1 + 2 are pins 1-3 not the 4th, what is the benefit in buying the connectors with the 4th pin if my fans only have 3 pins and they are pmw fans ?

1. Ground
2. Speed Control.
3. Sense
4. NC - not sure what NC is ?

can anyone help?

Idle Temps:

Gaming Load (Metro Last Light Benchmark)

scout_03 · Feb 27, 2014

this will be nice set up for the splitter you couldbyu the 3 pins one since you have those fans on hand the temp are good but if you could get one that is having higher cfm in front of the gpu that wil help cool them down .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 27, 2014

Good shout about having a higher cfm fan in front of the drive.

wahat about my question about the fans?

the 140mm fans are out of stock in most stores and there's plenty of 120mm fans but they have 1200RPM / 40.6 CFM which is 40% less than the 140mm 1000 RPM 66.0 CFM

So i start looking at 120mm fans and there seems to be loads which have better CFM than the ones above.

need some advice on which fans to buy now as i can foresee an issue if i have 2 different rpm/cfm fans on a splitter.

scout_03 · Feb 27, 2014

check this you have the choice in uk https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/case-fan/ they wont be any issue for 2 fans on the same splitter .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 27, 2014

If i use a Fractical Design 140mm 1000RPM fan and a 120mm 2000RPM fan there would be different airflow surely?

I use pcpartpicker all the time but i need to know what 120mm fan's to buy which are equivalent to the 140mm in terms of RPM and cfm

i need advice on which fans to choose from, they need to be pwm fans and 3 pinss

scout_03 · Feb 27, 2014

i give a eye on this be back later with what i found .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 27, 2014

I need the following size fans and they need to be PWM

1 x 120mm HIGH CFM intake (Bottom of case) because of my Crossfire Config to increase airfloow - this needs to be 120 mm because room is limited between PSU cables and the fan positioning and a 140mm it doesnt fit!

3 x 140mm Fractical Design Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 * or equivalent* (2 x Top of case exhausts and 1 x Intake front to acompany the exisitng one)

i believe this will be a positive air pressure cooling solution.

Jonathan Cave · Feb 27, 2014

just to let you know i found these on ebay! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fractal-Silent-Series-R2-140mm-14cm-White-3-pin-Case-fan-Buy-2-Get-1-Free-/281268575670?pt=UK_Computing_Case_Fans&hash=item417ce9ddb6

3 Fans for £13.98 ! wow great deal!

i also paid £8.60 delivered for 1 x fractal design 120mm Fan. and bought 2 x splitters 3 pin for £3.20 delivered

scout_03 · Feb 27, 2014

that look great and with the total fan control system on the board you will be able to control them .

Jonathan Cave · Feb 28, 2014

So i've been doing some re-arranging.

i've removed the bottom 3.5" Bay's to allow more air flow from the bottom front fant (when it arrives)

the 2.5" SSD is on the back of the case, and the 3.5" HDD will be mounted in the 5.25" bay with this which i've ordered : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180576117265

just waiting on the fans and the splitters being delivered!

cable management to be done when they arrive.

scout_03 · Feb 28, 2014

you could have leave the ssd and the hdd in the bottom just putting the hhd on the lower part and the ssd on the top where the hdd is now so there will be air flow between the drive to cool them .

Fan configuration with my build.

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