How many exhaust or intake fans do I need?

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May 7, 2016
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Right now I'm using a full tower case with 1 input at the bottom front and 2 exhaust from the very top and the upper back.

I'm planning on building a new PC soon and I was wondering is that enough or is that optimal? I've never really had a problem with cooling before, but since I was going to be building my own soon I wanted to make sure everything works well as far as air cooling goes.

If those 3 fans aren't enough, then what would be recommended? I can put a fan on the side as well as one on the very bottom. Is the 1 intake 2 exhaust fine or do I need more and if so, what should I do?

Thnak you!
 
Solution
Here's a nice test video using different fan quantities/configurations in a typical PC case with air cooling and their corresponding temperature readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OmkmluAYAQ

0 Case Fans (Air Cooler Only) = CPU: 71C | GPU: 92C
1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 64C | GPU: 85C
1 Top (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 65C | GPU: 83C
1 Front (Intake) Fan = CPU: 67C | GPU: 80C
1 Front (Intake) Fan + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 60C | GPU: 79C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 58C | GPU: 77C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan + 1 Top (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 55C | GPU: 76C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan + 2 Top (Exhaust) Fans = CPU: 55C | GPU: 76C <-- Adding 1 top fan = no effect as above

Navitus

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May 7, 2016
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4,635


I'm not sure of the exact model. I had this custom built by someone I know. But it's a HAF CoolerMaster full tower.
 


Yup thats what this one is. It came with 5 fans in it. 2 top, 2 front, 1 back.

Nice little case too. And the PSU is hidden. It's bottom mounted, but it's underneath the motherboard.



 
Here's a nice test video using different fan quantities/configurations in a typical PC case with air cooling and their corresponding temperature readings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OmkmluAYAQ

0 Case Fans (Air Cooler Only) = CPU: 71C | GPU: 92C
1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 64C | GPU: 85C
1 Top (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 65C | GPU: 83C
1 Front (Intake) Fan = CPU: 67C | GPU: 80C
1 Front (Intake) Fan + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 60C | GPU: 79C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 58C | GPU: 77C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan + 1 Top (Exhaust) Fan = CPU: 55C | GPU: 76C
2 Front (Intake) Fans + 1 Rear (Exhaust) Fan + 2 Top (Exhaust) Fans = CPU: 55C | GPU: 76C <-- Adding 1 top fan = no effect as above
 
Solution