Case fans, psu and temperature questions

Arctic-Black · Nov 14, 2015

I have a question about case fans... It seems when I open my case, my temperatures across the board are significantly lower. I figure the airflow in my case isn't as good as it could be, as I have one in take on the front, and one exhaust in the back. I have space for two more fans on two top vent positions (although they have to be slim low profile fans due to space restrictions). The questions is, should they be intake or exhaust? One other thing, I'm running an R9 280 with an fx6300 cpu (both stock speeds) powered through an EVGA 500w Bronze psu... are 2 more fans going to be too much?

Zerk2012 · Nov 14, 2015

Adding more fans take very little power so that question does not matter, as far as the temps what are they with the case side on.
What case are you using it might be better to add one in the top or just upgrade the 2 you have to a higher CFM fan.

Arctic-Black · Nov 14, 2015

The GPU creeps into the mid 80's zone, while the CPU can push over 60... with the side off, just over 60 on the GPU and and just over 50 on the CPU. I'm looking into a better cooler solution for the CPU, probably an EVO 212. I know that these temps can be considered acceptable by some, but it's starts to sound like a hair dryer... with it open, it's cool and quiet.

Zerk2012 · Nov 14, 2015

You still didn't list the case.

Arctic-Black · Nov 14, 2015

raijintek Arcadia

Zerk2012 · Nov 14, 2015

That's because it is a very poor case for airflow you have no front fan for intake and installing one would help little because of the front case design.
I would suggest buying a decent case.

Arctic-Black · Nov 14, 2015

I do have a front intake fan... this isn't a question about the quality of my case, rather the physics of whether my case being cooler when it's open means I should add intake or exhaust fans to the top vents. Thanks for taking the time, but your response isn't all that helpful (except for the power supply info - thanks for that.)

Zerk2012 · Nov 14, 2015

Your case is not designed to dissipate the amount of heat that your putting in it, sorry if you don't like the answer.
Almost all of the front fan spot is blocked restricting the airflow.

Karadjgne · Nov 14, 2015

If it's possible, not sure with that case, get rid of the lower hdd brackets, they are killing your intake airflow. For a front fan I'd find the one capable of the greatest cfm available or physically modify the case to accept a 140mm high cfm fan. That's your only intake option as case design won't allow mounting 2x 120mm. The rear exhaust can be left alone, and 2x lower speed fans should be mounted up top as exhaust, NOT intake. These fans should see @600-700rpm max. Modifying your case isn't hard, at worst you'll have to drill out some spot rivets and use a dremel tool maybe, but it can be done. You need to free up a path for air to flow, or you will always see high temps on cpu/gpu

Arctic-Black · Nov 14, 2015

Thx for the info Karadjgne. I have one fan header left - the PWR_FAN. Will it be ok to run a splitter off of it to run two fans for the top of the case?

Karadjgne · Nov 14, 2015

Typically, pwr_fan, cpu_aux etc is not controllable. It's a pure 12v, 100% fan header. If at all possible, (you'd have to listen) I'd put the single exhaust fan on that header, and use the controls available on sys_fan2 where the exhaust currently is to power via splitter or power alone 1 or 2x top fans. If fan volume at that speed is unacceptable, then use sys_fan2 via splitter to power rear exhaust and 1x top exhaust. I'd also look into using 2x paired decent fans (good sp and good cfm) on the cpu heatsink.

Front intake: Cougar Vortex pwm.
Top : Raijintek Aeolus A (13mm super slim fans)
Cpu : corsair Air SP 120 HP 2x pack.

Zerk2012 · Nov 14, 2015

Karadjgne :

You need to look at that case nothing is possible without customizing and 80% of the front fan is blocked by the metal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at the 7:20 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74CyS3DeOvs
Don't tell him BS just because that is what he wont's to hear.

Karadjgne · Nov 15, 2015

I looked at the case thank you. He needs to remove the lower hdd brackets, clear out the metal behind the fan and let it breathe. What I advised op is customizing his case to fit his needs. It's just a box to hold components. Once you buy it, it's yours. There is nothing saying it must remain as is in order to function. There is available space for hdds above in the optical bays, so the hdd is not an issue. What is the issue Zerk2012, is that you assume nothing can be done just because you lack enough imagination to accomplish such an easy task. If there is something blocking airflow, remove it. Simple. Not a hard concept. How well op accomplishes the task is all dependent on his skills, tools available and determination to do a nice job. Just as easy to drill 4x 2.5mm holes, cut out the side panel for a 120mm Fan and cover the hole with magnetic mesh and mount a fan.

It's not BS, its just a willingness to physically modify a case that doesn't suit the application.

Karadjgne · Nov 15, 2015

Try this for imagination.

I took the slide rule off the front of my circular saw, beat it out flat, sanded out the ruler markings, painted it black, applied some heat shrink to the tip, and it currently resides in my wife's case as the gpu support brace because I wasn't happy with the flimsy piece of crap that came with the case.

Software, overclock, hardware are not the only things that can be modified in a case. I'd suggest since you spend time on YouTube, that you look up case modding too. Raijintek claims that case will accept 4x 120mm fans. With a tape measure, some masking tape, a pencil and a dremel tool it's easy enough to make that case fit 9 fans. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Arctic-Black · Jan 23, 2016

Been a while - just thought I'd update here. While I've done nothing to physically alter the case, I have bought an EVO 212 heatsink, and will have it installed soon. I have however installed two exhaust fans on the top of my case and only one is plugged in as I need a splitter cable) and really it's making a dramatic difference already, almost to the point where I may not even need the EVO 212... down to high 70's with the GPU and low 50's with the cpu...it's astounding what better ventilation does. I expect that with the other fan and the heatsink, I may be able to drop my temps by 5 - 10 degrees on the cpu and maybe 5 on the gpu. All that without an overclock (which I'll not even be thinking about until the day I upgrade my psu... 500w seems to be right where I need things right now.) Thanks both of you again.

Arctic-Black · Mar 7, 2016

Another update! Installed the Evo 212...

wow.

CPU temps dropped another 10 degrees. Air flow is fine, despite the concerns regarding the case. I'd recommend it for a good budget build!

Bearmann · Mar 7, 2016

I would try leaving the forward roof vent open, but without a fan as recommended here:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1

Keep the rear and rear roof fans as exhaust. I would also try flipping my PSU so that it pulls air from inside the case and helps cool it. I have to agree that the case is bizarre with both the bottom and front fan slots fully or partially blocked. I'm glad you are making progress.

Arctic-Black · Mar 8, 2016

Bearmann :

Thanks Bearmann, but I was just updating the thread - I've put exhaust fans on top and left the one on in the rear. Ive also installed an Evo 212 Heatsink and fan on the CPU. Currently, my max CPU temp has been 44 degrees Celsius at load, and my GPU doesn't go above 75. I'm very happy with those numbers. As for the case, I've made no modifications, but despite it looking like there's a lot in the way of the front intake fan, the airflow still comes in, and I can feel it. While I agree it may not be perfect, the numbers I'm running have no issues with the airflow in the case. I'm glad i didn't have to modify it or replace it, as it was suggested I MAY have to do.

Bearmann · Mar 8, 2016

Yes, I knew you were making significant progress. I was just trying to squeeze out every last degree

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