Help With Airflow for my first build

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aarondorn2

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Nov 22, 2014
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4,510
I recently purchased parts for my first build. The case, fans, and drives were given to me as a gift (from my brother's old build). While waiting for the mobo to come in, I've been planning airflow and reading a LOT. But the more I read, the more confused I get. So I figured I'd throw it out to you veterans and get some opinions. Here's what I've got:


most of the build can be seen here:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/aarondorn2/saved/gVpV3C

not listed (older parts):
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Zalman CNPS9000 CPU Cooler
AZENX Slot Cooler


I've removed the cage for the internal 3.5 drives to make sure nothing is blocking the intake fans (I moved the SSD and HDD in to one of the 5.25 bays with an Icy Dock Flex Fit converter). I am using 2 of the 5.25 slots and am not using the external 3.5 slots.

Additional thoughts/questions:

  • Does the Tri-X cooling on the toxic push or pull air from outside the case or just move air inside?
    Where does the hot air from the 280x end up? (could I put the AZENX above/below the Tri-X to try and exhaust some of that hot air?)
    Should I worry / what can I do about the PSU ending up with all the hot air from the CPU/GPU?
    Should I replace the external 3.5 bays with another intake fan?

Thanks so much for helping the noob. You guys rock.
 
Solution
B
Normally, front fans are intakes, rear and top exhaust.

The PSU will just grab air from inside the case and exhaust out the back. Completely normal.

The 280x will exhaust some air off of its heatsink out the back of card itself and some will be recycled into the case, which again is completely normal.

I'm not a fan of slot coolers at all, especially under a graphics card. It will compete for air with your graphics card and in most cases do more harm than good. If you'd like to install it in a random pcie slot away from the graphics card that would be fine, but my guess would be it unnecessary and loud.

Good luck and have fun.
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Bezzell

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May 13, 2013
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Normally, front fans are intakes, rear and top exhaust.

The PSU will just grab air from inside the case and exhaust out the back. Completely normal.

The 280x will exhaust some air off of its heatsink out the back of card itself and some will be recycled into the case, which again is completely normal.

I'm not a fan of slot coolers at all, especially under a graphics card. It will compete for air with your graphics card and in most cases do more harm than good. If you'd like to install it in a random pcie slot away from the graphics card that would be fine, but my guess would be it unnecessary and loud.

Good luck and have fun.
 
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Solution
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aarondorn2

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Nov 22, 2014
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4,510


Thanks for the advice! What are your thoughts on adding a 3rd 80mm fan intake in the bottom front? I'm also considering cutting out a larger hole in the back of the case to turn that 80mm in to a 120 or 140...
 
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Bezzell

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May 13, 2013
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Sure. Modding cases can give some good improvements, and be fun. My advice would to be, measure, measure, measure. Also masking tape both sides of the cut and use a magnet or vacuum to get all metal shaving out. They're really bad concerning circuit boards.
 
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