Questions about my system

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Loatty

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Sep 22, 2015
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Heya everyone,

My current system is the following:

Case: Sharkoon Shark Zone C10
PSU: Cooler Master B600
Motherboard: MSI H81I
CPU: Intel Core i5 4690K
CPU Cooler: Gelid Solutions Siberian PRO
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8 GB (2x 4GB) DDR3-1600 (wasn't sure which specific set, sorry)
GPU: ASUS Strix GTX 980 (OC-edition)

For cooling, I've added the Noctua NF-A8 PWM and the Noctua NF-S12A PWM, both exhausting the hot air from the case.

Pic's for reference:
Outside view of the case
Overview of the internal layout of the case
Close view of the space between the GPU and the CPU cooler


So, with that out of the way... I've had this PC build for me and then upgraded the fans to these nice Noctuas :)

I've had my fair share of problems with getting this system to keep cool, so now I'm asking for any tips you guys might have for me :)

EDIT: I do intend to overclock this system sometime in the future.

Again, my case fans are both blowing the air out of the case, because I tried to turn the top 120 mm fan around as an intake, which then interferred with the cooling of my GPU.
I considered installing an AIO, but decided not to, due to concerns about the available space.


Also, as an added question: I think my CPU should be more than enough to run Fallout 4 at max (GPU won't be a problem, that's for sure), what do you guys think?
 
Solution
G
To your last question, yes, your rig will be able to run Fallout 4 at Max just fine.

As for cooling, the best you can do for a rig is to maintain negative pressure within the case. This basically means you have more fans blowing air out than your have fans pulling air in. It is certainly good to have at least 1 intake fan at the front, and as long as you have 2 or more exhaust fans to compensate (your new Noctua's in this case) you should be fine.

Edit: Here is a handy Tom's article on airflow suggestions for cases:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-airflow-heatsink,3053-5.html
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glamdringfh

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Dec 23, 2013
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To your last question, yes, your rig will be able to run Fallout 4 at Max just fine.

As for cooling, the best you can do for a rig is to maintain negative pressure within the case. This basically means you have more fans blowing air out than your have fans pulling air in. It is certainly good to have at least 1 intake fan at the front, and as long as you have 2 or more exhaust fans to compensate (your new Noctua's in this case) you should be fine.

Edit: Here is a handy Tom's article on airflow suggestions for cases:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-airflow-heatsink,3053-5.html
 
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Loatty

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Sep 22, 2015
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Thanks for the reply, however, it seems I forgot to mention... this case does NOT feature any space for intake through the front... in fact, the entire front is effectively blocked by the PSU and the HDD... those 2 exhaust fans, are the ONLY case fans I have ... only passive intake (+ whatever air the GPU draws into the case with it's fans)
 
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glamdringfh

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Dec 23, 2013
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Ok, well taking a look at your case it looks like there is a side area that you might be able to mount intake fans on (left side). I can't say for sure because I don't know how the internals layout.

Other than the two intake areas on the side I can't see any other solutions for that case. If nothing else I'd just make sure the exhaust fans were at 100% all the time, though that could get noisey.
 
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Bearmann

Bearmann

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Sep 14, 2015
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Its hard to tell the exact layout from your photos. That top fan needs to be an intake fan- the CPU fan is fighting for air from those two exhaust fans. What is the problem with the GPU?

If that won't work, did you try keeping the top fan as an exhaust and changing the rear fan to an intake- unconventional, but it should work.

The third option would be to try both fans as intake fans.
 
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Loatty

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Sep 22, 2015
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Luckily, the GPU manages it's temps just fine on it's own... I´ll take a look A.S.A.P. at changing that rear fan :)

using both fans for intake would interfere with the GPU, blowing it's exhaust back onto itself, but thanks for the idea :)
 
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Loatty

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Sep 22, 2015
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Alright, finally got around to testing it.... seems the air was passing through at just the right angle... because it suddenly made some sort of whisteling noise! XD

Anyway... thanks everyone for your help, it seems I'll have to reconsider my plans for overclocking in the future... but the system maintains a stable 70 - 75 degrees (celsius) under very heavy load (benchmarking)... which is a bit more than I'd like... but acceptable :)

Thanks again for the help!
 
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Bearmann

Bearmann

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Sep 14, 2015
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You're welcome.

Does the GPU blow air toward the CPU?

Is the case perforated other than at the top (and rear fan cutout)?

I understand what you are saying that theoretically it wouldn't be good for the intake fan and GPU to be blowing at each other, but I would try it anyway with the top fan an intake and the rear fan an exhaust and check your temps. The incoming air may prevent the GPU exhaust from reaching the CPU heatsink and help cool the CPU. Forget about the fans inside the case- if you are bring in fresh cold outside air and exhausting hot case air, the temps should improve. It looks like you have room for two case fans on the top. Just make sure that if you add another fan there that they are blowing in the same direction. Is there room for a larger CPU heatsink? That would be another option to possibly lower the temps. I assume that the PSU fan is sucking in air from the outside? You may want try having it suck in air from the case (turn it upside down) to help exhaust more hot air, but it's fan will probably run faster and louder.

If you leave the the rear fan as an intake, I would try moving the top exhaust fan to the second position closer to the front of the case so the incoming fresh air will travel further across the MB and GPU before being exhausted.
 
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