Need help for case airflow

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Eldakar

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Jul 7, 2017
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Hi everyone,

I ordered all my part for my new computer ( pc part list ), but the AM4 upgrade kit for my Cryorig H7 still hasn't arrived, so I tested some part that I could while waiting. I tested the 2 case fan included in the Phanteks eclipse P400S (tempered glass model) and and I don't really like them.

So I tried to educate myself in case airflow, but I am at a lost. Every case and setup require different arrangement. So I have come here for help.

I want quiet fan and better airflow for my case. I will overclock everything and not sure the 2 included fan are up for the task. Also, would like black fan and no RGB. I am willing to put about $50 CAD for that

I don't know what kind of fan, size or RPM and all. The case do have a fan controller, but there are only three connector to it and they offer only 2-pin connection. Never had a case with fan controller directly on the case. Should I skip that function and just connect all fan on the motherboard directly? There's at least three 4-Pin connector on my motherboard. There are 2 top slot for fan, but i'd like to not use those. If i have to remove the top cover it will defeat the purpose of getting a Silent case.

To summarize : Want quiet, black, no RGB fan, budget $50 CAD. No idea what kind, amount or if I need to use the case fan controller.

Thank you for your time and expertise.
 
Solution
raisonjohn
Something to consider (120mm fan for your rear exhaust and 140mm fans for your front intake):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case Fan: be quiet! - Pure Wings 2 51.4 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.02 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: be quiet! - SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.93 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: be quiet! - SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.93 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $51.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-08 00:19 EDT-0400

I would personally connect all fans via motherboard as I don't like manual controllers without monitoring/temp curve functions.
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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Something to consider (120mm fan for your rear exhaust and 140mm fans for your front intake):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case Fan: be quiet! - Pure Wings 2 51.4 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.02 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: be quiet! - SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.93 @ DirectCanada)
Case Fan: be quiet! - SilentWings 3 59.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($20.93 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $51.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-08 00:19 EDT-0400

I would personally connect all fans via motherboard as I don't like manual controllers without monitoring/temp curve functions.
 
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Solution
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Eldakar

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Jul 7, 2017
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510


Those seem to be exactly what I want!

Just a couple of quick question. Are those 3 or 4 pin fan? Are there any benefit for going from 3 to 4 pin fan, like better fan speed control when the fan are not that much needed?.

Thank you for your time.
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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All of those listed are 3-pin fans (the 4-pin PWM fans costs much more).

3-pin fans are DC fans which speeds can be controlled - if your motherboard and its fan header allows it - using variable voltage at the 2nd pin.

4-pin fans are PWM fans which speeds that can be controlled using a PWM fan header on your motherboard (note that not all 4-pin headers in a motherboard are true PWM headers) - using constant +12V at the 2nd pin but variable current (pwm) at the 4th pin.

Most motherboards nowadays can automatically control the speed of the fan (using BIOS fan control and setting the header in DC-mode or PWM-mode), so that both 3-pin or 4-pin fans would work. Only disadvantage of the DC-mode is the variable voltage which *may* stall the fan if the voltage supplied is lower than the fan motor's min. operating voltage (rarely happens though).
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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DC grand generally run 7v - 12v, so you'll be looking at @60%-100% duty cycle. The really good DC fans can go as low as 5v, so will drop to @40% duty cycle. Pwm fans generally run @ 20% - 100% duty cycle, which is a major bonus on higher rpm, higher cfm fans as it'll allow for a greater range of speeds. With a decent fan, there's little need for high rpm, you only need the air to move, you don't need gale force winds. Phanteks makes the best fans on the market currently so no matter your personal taste, those case fans are actually very good fans, just saying.
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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There's more to it than just fans, there's also airflow patterns. Fans work by blade rotation. This rotation displaces the air it travels through, in effect creating a vacuum, the byproduct is the moved air exhaust. This vacuum is what's important because nature abhors a vacuum, so will fill it with the closest available source. If you think of an exhaust fan, the closest source can be a number of things, can be air supplied by the intakes, or air coming in through cracks, unused fan vents, even the card slots. So your intakes are better off supplying more air than the exhaust pushes out. With 4x identical fans, this is easy, you set fan curves higher for the front fans, keeping them @100rpm or better, higher than the exhaust. The side benefit to this is you'll flood the case with air that's filtered, in what most call a 'positive pressure' setup. This does a lot to prevent air being sucked in from alternate, unfiltered sources, keeping the pc cleaner, longer. With unbalanced sets of fans, I've used everything from cigarettes to candles, watch the flame/smoke direction, to calibrate the fan curves.
You don't necessarily have to use full speeds on the fans, just use enough duty cycle to move the air through the case and keep temps moderate, without all the noise.
 
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Eldakar

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Jul 7, 2017
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That is a ton of great information. I will experiment with RPM within my BIOS to determine optimal airflow for thermal. You have given me lot of great tip, thank you.

Now I just have to wait for the AM4 upgrade kit to be delivered to finally build everything, I can't wait!
 
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