Unorthodox Case Fan Setup. Back as Intake

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darky000

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Aug 29, 2016
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Hello,

Here is what I have:
- NZXT H440 Case
Specs:
- Front: (3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm)
- Back: (1 x 140mm back)
- Top (3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm)
- Corsair H80i v2

My setup that I wanted to do is this:

- Front: Corsair H80i v2 at the top and 1 x 140mm fan just below it
- Back: will be a 140mm intake
- Top: is 1 x 120mm near the back and 1 x 140mm near the front panel.

My Reason:

- Graphics card is situated near the bottom of the case so the 140mm will cool that one directly. There are a lot of holes at the bottom back so it can push the hot air that are stuck below.
- Back Fan will cool the VRM and other components on the mobo but will clash with the heat of the top H80i v2 at the front which will be pulled up to be exhausted. This will prevent the heat of my liquid cooler to spread beyond that.
- top is 1 x 120mm near the exhaust to not pull too much cold air near the intake but the rising heat and 1 x 140mm near the front panel to let it be as close as possible to exhaust the radiator heat as soon as possible.


I know the best approach is front intake, back and top exhaust but I think I can do more because there is no side or bottom fans on this case.

I will do my own experiments but I want to ask for confirmation, since this are all theories, that this is not a bad setup or losing too much temp this way before I buy some fans.

Thank you.
 
Solution
thor220


Yeah, that setup will work completely fine. The only recommendation I have is if possible run the fan at the top back of the case at a low RPM. That way is still pulls in cold air to your cpu without disrupting it's airflow.
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Adrian Ocampo

Adrian Ocampo

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Oct 5, 2013
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As much as possible there should be more exhaust than intake as the heat would build up faster if the heat is not exhausted fast. That is why the back and top fans are almost always exhaust. The setup you are proposing will choke the heat at the top exhaust which might increase the temp gradually.
From personal opinion its not a bad setup, but inefficient. Still up to you.

Ohh and P.S. the h440 case has a really bad airflow because it has small ventilation holes at front and top.
 
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darky000

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Aug 29, 2016
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But having more exhaust will cause Negative Airflow? I don't like that to happen.

The other thing is there are 4 x 120mm exhaust fan (1 at the back and 3 at the top) on the NZXT H440 and only 3 x 120mm at the front.
 
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thor220

thor220

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Dec 15, 2009
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Ok so having the back fan as an intake that collides it's air with another fan is a very bad idea. Ever wonder why heating vents are positioned below windows? It's because the airflow creates a barrier that helps stop cold air from moving in. The same concept applies here, only worse. As the intake fan is taking in air colder than the air inside the case it is denser and thus does not allow as much to pass through it. It will be pretty effective in preventing hot air from moving past it.

As the other user noted, it is always better to have more exhaust fans than intake. This will force hot air out of the case, which is helpful in multiple ways, especially if you have dead zones in your case when no fan reaches.
 
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darky000

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Aug 29, 2016
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Thank you both for your inputs.



This scenario is best in that situation mostly because it prevents the air outside from coming in as cold and no cracks or holes to push it out from the room (besides room vents and door holes, etc). Our pc case has no barrier inside and is filled with holes on our newer cases to vent out excess air from inside.

I'm sure I'm missing something here and this is just me trying to understand the process of this. I hope I'm not offending anyone here.
 
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thor220

thor220

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Dec 15, 2009
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Any chance you can do a little MSPaint to visualize your idea?
 
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thor220

thor220

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Dec 15, 2009
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Yeah, that setup will work completely fine. The only recommendation I have is if possible run the fan at the top back of the case at a low RPM. That way is still pulls in cold air to your cpu without disrupting it's airflow.
 
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Solution
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darky000

Commendable
Aug 29, 2016
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@Adrian Ocampo - my cooler is an AIO H80i v2 in a push and pull configuration SP fans.

@thor220 - I will do that, thank you... I'll be doing my own experiment within a few days and see the difference on temps. Now at least I know I'm not purchasing a lost cause.
 
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