Best fan setup for Fractal Design Define S?

GregP74 · Mar 12, 2017

I managed to score a Fractal Design Define S case at work that we bought for something and never ended up using.

Inside will be an Asrock Z170 Extreme 6 motherboard running an i7-6700k processor with a hyper 212 Evo cooler. For now the graphics will be an EVGA GTX970 FTW (not that that matters I guess)

At the moment there are no fans attached to the case but there's 3 or 4 Phanteks PH-F140XP_BK sitting inside of it.

I'm looking for a fan setup that's going to be nice and quiet but still keep things reasonably cool. Not sure how many fans I need or where to put them. I don't necessarily have to use these particular ones, may be interested in ordering some with LEDs, but that's probably a waste of money.

raisonjohn · Mar 12, 2017

With 4x Phanteks PH-F140XP_BK, install in the Fractal Design Define S chassis:

2x at Front as Intake
1x at Rear as Exhaust
1x at Top as Exhaust

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

GregP74 · Mar 12, 2017

Interesting thanks. I've also got a Corsair H90 cpu cooler I could put in there. If I were to use that instead of the air cool setup where should I mount the radiator, and would that change my fan placements any?

raisonjohn :

raisonjohn · Mar 12, 2017

For your current Corsair H90 AIO, I would mount it either at the rear or at the top (as exhaust). Same number of fans (including the radiator fan), i.e., 1 radiator fan exhaust (top or rear), 1 case fan exhaust (top or rear), and 2 case fans intake (front).

I'm not sure if the 4x Phanteks fan you said you have already includes the radiator fan (or the Corsair H90 you have has another Corsair radiator fan which brings the total fans to 5). If its 5 total fans (including the Corsair rad fan), I'd add the remaining Phanteks fan at the front intake (bringing the total intake fans to 3).

GregP74 · Mar 21, 2017

raisonjohn :

One question about mounting the H90 in the exhaust position: Do I put the fan on the inside or outside of the radiator? Have it suck the air through it or blow it from the inside?

raisonjohn · Mar 21, 2017

GregP74 :

It's all about preferences whether the fan is "inside" (i.e., concealed) the radiator PULLING air out the rear exhaust or the fan is "outside" (i.e., exposed) the radiator PUSHING air out the rear exhaust. The difference in core temperature is ~1C (almost negligible).

Aside from preferences, there are certain pros and cons on whether you would choose one over the other, depending on your situation.

Some people prefer the fan PULLING air (i.e., "inside the rad") out the rear exhaust. This setup would have lesser dust build-up and easier maintenance in cleaning the radiator. Some prefer the cleaner look of the radiator than their fans (esp. if you have a not-so-aesthetical fan design). Other people use this setup due to space/mounting clearance problems in their specific chassis (sometimes the rad is a bit too large to be mounted 'flat' at the rear fan slot, and installing the fan first would solve the issue).

On the other hand, some people prefer the fan PUSHING air (i.e., "outside the rad") out the rear exhaust. This setup works wonderfully especially if you have those bling-bling RGB LED fans you want to show off in your chassis. Some people prefer to keep an eye on the fans spinning compared to the 'blank' look of the rad fins. Disadvantage of this setup is harder maintenance due to dust build-up between the fan and the rad. Dust will surely accumulate in this area and you are forced to remove the fan to clean it up.

GregP74 · Mar 21, 2017

Thanks. If I decide to go the H90 route, I'll probably put the radiator between the case and the fan and let the exhaust blow over it.

Now I assume I should have that fan's speed controlled by the CPU temp. I'm probably over thinking things way too much here, but should I have the intake fan that's directly across from it blowing at the same speed?

I have 3 other fans I can use also. My plan for those was to put another on the front as input, blowing onto the GPU. Another will be input coming from the center of the bottom (if I can get the power supply cords out of the way) blowing upwards toward the GPU.

The remaining fan would be on the top as exhaust, either in the center or rear position.

Also the Mobo I originally mentioned doesn't work. I'll be using an Asus Maximus Hero. It's got a header for a thermal sensor. I plan on mounting one of those on or near the GPU and possibly basing the speed of the bottom and middle front fans off the temp of that. Is that reasonable or am I over-engineering?

raisonjohn · Mar 21, 2017

GregP74 :

A bit of both actually. It's good to plan and consider those possible setups you mentioned, but in all honesty, the only way to find out is to actually test it yourself. There are TONS of variables when we talk theoretically about the quantity of fans, the fan speed, actual fan blade design, the location, intake/exhaust, positive/negative pressure, airflow, which fans blow over which components, chassis restrictions, ambient temps, etc.

I can have the exact same fans and parts as you have, and have the exact same fan location, speed, specs, etc. but both our rigs could have different CPU, GPU and chassis ambient temperature results.

GregP74 · Mar 21, 2017

Thanks for all the help. I've kinda thrown it together for the moment in a simple configuration.

I've got the 212 Evo on the CPU with the 120mm equivalent of those Phanteks I mentioned and three 140mm ones, one exhaust at the rear, and two inputs at the top and middle of the front.

For what I've been doing it seems to be pretty decent (and quiet.) If I start playing WoW though the GPU gets to mid or upper 70's. I'd probably like to get that a bit cooler which I why I'm thinking about the top and bottom input/exhausts.

GregP74 · Mar 22, 2017

I went through quite a bit of trial and error yesterday.

Having one input fan on the bottom probably would have been best, but there were just too many power supply cables right above it. Besides impeding the airflow, I was worried they might fall in there and jam things up.

I've now got three fans on the front as input, and the rear and rear top as exhaust.

I ended up moving the H90 to just inside of the top input fan. Temps are significantly lower than they were with the exhaust fan pulling air through the H90. (I never did figure out how to set it up to push the exhaust air through the H90 as in | <- -
case |<-- H90 | <-- FAN | )

I'm currently basing the speed of all the fans on the CPU temp. I've got a thermal sensor I can plug into the header on the way. I may try putting that closer to the GPU for when that heats up, although that really may not be necessary. My 970 FTW seems to max out (under with what I've put it though so far) around 70-75c. Its fans don't kick in for another 10 degrees or so.

At this point I'm still deciding if I really want to use the H90 or the 212 Evo. I suppose it's really 6 of one, half a dozen of the other -- either one is probably fine. I reckon the H90 is less likely to get bumped around and it's easier to get to other components.

I might try moving the top exhaust fan and see if there's any improvement moving it to the middle or front top spot, but I don't know if it's really worth it. Things don't seem to be getting that hot.

(Also, what the PCH temp that I keep seeing? That seems to be hotter than the CPU or Motherboard?) Not sure where that sensor is on the board.

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