Cooling my build

[Gary Childress]

I'm a complete amateur at PC building. I've built one other PC from the ground up in my life and before that the most building I did was "bare bones" deals. So far I'm thinking of building a machine with an i7 3770 (non k, non s) CPU. I don't plan on overclocking so I'm hoping a stock CPU fan will suffice. This is the case I just bought a couple days ago and am waiting on delivery.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

I'm thinking I will load the case up with the max of 7 cooling fans, two on top, two in front, two on the side and one in the back. So my question is:

How should I set up the air flow? Should it pull from the front and side and out the top and back? Should the side fans blow toward the CPU or away? Do I really need an aftermarket CPU fan? Can I get away with the stock one if I'm not overclocking?

Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks.

 

[manofchalk]

Standard airflow configuration is the front and side panels intake air, the back and top exhaust air. Sets up a front to back airflow in the case.

You dont need one if you arent overclocking, But I recommend one. Under load the stock cooler runs fairly hot and quite loud even compared to cheap aftermarket coolers like the 212 EVO.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_hyper212_evo/4.htm

 

[Gary Childress]

Best answer selected by Gary Childress.