Need a Cooling Advice - Fan placement and choice

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JamesEnquiry

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Mar 5, 2014
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Hi, I'm building a new gaming PC and I'd like some advice about cooling. Particularly about case fans. Currently I'm running FX 6300+R9 270X in the very same case with the two stock chassis fans(14') and one 12' coolermaster in front lower position and the only slight complaint would be that the smaller fan gets a little noisy when gaming.
I would prefer the new build to be slightly more quiet though. This is the new setup:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 + Cooler Master Hyper 212+ EVO
GPU: ASUS STRIX-GTX970-DC2-4GD5
RAM: Kingston 16GB KIT DDR4 2133MHz CL13 HyperX Savage
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-GAMING 3 (has 5 chassis 4-pin fan connectors)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl
One HDD and one SSD in lower the cage - the main HDD cage removed for better airflow

The fan placement will be: one 140mm upper position front and one in the back. For that I'm thinking NOCTUA NF-A14 PWM or FLX.
Not sure whether to place a 140mm OR 120mm in the lower front position. If the 120 then Noctua NF-S12A PWM OR Noctua NF-S12A FLX. Sketch here: http://postimg.org/image/ap9zzns0l/

Currently I control the two larger fans manually and the smaller one by the MOBO. What I'd like to know: Is it better to use manual control or to let the MOBO conotrol them all?
Thank you for your views.
 
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I recommend placing at least 1 fan in the middle front above where the drive bays would usually be and 1 in the upper back. The NOCTUA NF-A14 PWN are fantastic fans and if you can afford the 140mm variants (if your case supports them) it would be quieter and more efficient. Don't bother putting 2 fans at the front as the 970 doesn't get too hot. Make sure you mount the back fan like this in relation to the CPU heat sink : Back fan - CPU Cooler - Cooler Fan this is so the heat sink can get the best airflow possible.
*Just remember the NOCTUA fans are pretty expensive but if you got the budget go for it.

Other than that, you got some good parts and got the fan positioning pretty much perfect
 
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JamesEnquiry

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Mar 5, 2014
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Thank you, that's the cpu cooler placement I'm using at the moment and plan on using, I should have spcified that.
I was thinking of the second front fan because i may put another gtx970 into SLI and also I thought it useful for cooling the SSD and HDD. Just don't know whether tro go 120 or 140...
Also given that you recommend PWM version, that suggest MOBO controlled fans right?
 
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2 fans is a must if your gonna be running both the cards, the difference between 120mm fans and 140mm is price and noise, the cooling wont be affected much by the size, if you got the case, space and the money get 3 noctuas 140mm, if not go for 2, or maybe 3 be quiet fans.

 
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JamesEnquiry

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Mar 5, 2014
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I'll most likely go with those 3 noctuas. Am I wrong in thinking they're woth the investment when it comes to performance and lifspan?
Also not sure whether I should use the define R4 prebuilt fan controller or let my MOBO controll them all?
 
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Let the Mobo control, you get better customization, and the investment is definitely worth it, those fans will last many builds

 
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