Do I need PWM fans for my case?

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Chugalug_

Chugalug_

Titan
Jan 28, 2016
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Hi guys,
As it stands, i'm building a gaming PC (See below) using the NZXT H440 case.
My main concern is running 3 pin fans at 100% all the time, and i'm wondering whether I need
PWM fans, or if I can just run with stock 3 pin NZXT fans (or third party).
Another concern is the noise level that fans at 100% produce, and whether it is noticeable.

CPU: i5 6600k 3.5GHz LGA 1151 Processor $358 @CPL Online

CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 280mm Liquid CPU Cooler $195 @ CPL Online

Motherboard: GA Z170MX-Gaming 5 (Won)

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000Mhz Memory $175 @ CPL Online

SSD: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive $129 @ Centre Com

HDD: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $104 @ Centre Com

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti Gaming Xtreme Edition 6GB $1099.50 @ Centre Com

Case: NZXT H440 - Razer Edition Mid Tower Case $229 @ CPL Online

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850w G2 80+ Power Supply $219 @ CPL Online
 
Solution
Gingerbread
Well they are not that quiet and they are not great, to be honest. In comparison the 1500RPM Noctua NF-F12 pwn fan (same size same speed) has around 110% better air flow at maximum speed and even then the noise level is roughly the same. So yeah you could say the stock fans are bad. Especially if you go for the 2000 or 3000RPM noctua fans (not to mention that you have slots on the board for 140mm fans, not just the 120mm fans like the F12 or the stock and the 140mm are even faster). Also you have 3 chassis fan headers on the motherboard, so you can plug the fans of the case there(since my guess is that you will be using just 3 fans, since you will have to place the fans of the liquid cooler somewhere). This way the motherboard will be...
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Gingerbread

Gingerbread

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Nov 2, 2009
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First you havent linked anything. Also depends, if you get the PWNs which run at 1500rpm they will be quieter than the ones at 3000rpm (which become really noticeable at full speed). Also you can generally run your PC with the stock fans. Unless you are going for some very high overclocks, but even then the stock fans are enough to provide the airflow your case needs. As long as you have that good basic airflow (which can be achieved with a combination of pretty much any fans) it all depends on your CPU cooler.
 
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Chugalug_

Chugalug_

Titan
Jan 28, 2016
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My bad, fixed now. I am in fact going for overclocks, planning to OC the GPU memory and core, and the CPU to 4.6ghz.
The main reason I ask regarding fans is that the H440 has quite limited airflow, and as a result i'm quite concerned over the ambient temp.
How do the NZXT fans fare at 100% all of the time? Is it fine? Or do I need a fan controller?
 
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Gingerbread

Gingerbread

Judicious
Nov 2, 2009
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Well they are not that quiet and they are not great, to be honest. In comparison the 1500RPM Noctua NF-F12 pwn fan (same size same speed) has around 110% better air flow at maximum speed and even then the noise level is roughly the same. So yeah you could say the stock fans are bad. Especially if you go for the 2000 or 3000RPM noctua fans (not to mention that you have slots on the board for 140mm fans, not just the 120mm fans like the F12 or the stock and the 140mm are even faster). Also you have 3 chassis fan headers on the motherboard, so you can plug the fans of the case there(since my guess is that you will be using just 3 fans, since you will have to place the fans of the liquid cooler somewhere). This way the motherboard will be able to control the fans and you can use software to control them, so you will not need a fan controller. But if you are going for overclocking I would suggest checking out the noctua pwn fans.
 
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Solution
Chugalug_

Chugalug_

Titan
Jan 28, 2016
16,502
4
74,965


Alright thanks, although I've just done some research and my mobo isn't supported through speedfan for DC voltage control on 3 pins, so I might just stick with the NF-F12 and NF-A14s. Thanks!

 
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Gingerbread

Gingerbread

Judicious
Nov 2, 2009
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Well good part is that your motherboard can control the speed, so you can get a 3000RPM fan, run it at 1500 rpm like the default fans and it will have close to exact same noise level. And when you need the cooling you can pump it up higher, but of course that depends entirely on your needs.
 
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Chugalug_

Chugalug_

Titan
Jan 28, 2016
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4
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Yep, sounds good, thanks for the help man! Really appreciate it.
 
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