Do I NEED fans inside my case?

[TheScarecrow97]

I'm planning to build a budget gaming pc and I'm looking at the Cooler Master 430 elite case along with a phenom ii x4 965 (at stock speeds) and a 7850. Unfortunately, other than the front intake fan, the case doesn't come with any stock fans. I'm on a really tight budget here and don't want to spend unnecessary money on extra fans. Do I need them if I'm not overclocking anything?

 

[pauls3743]

Unless you've got other plans, I would get a 120mm for the rear to act as an exhaust. That Phenom II will still kick out a lot of heat under load and a fan blowing into the case just won't be enough, you'll need an exhaust fan to remove that hot air from the case.

 

[mcnumpty23]

personally i would at least put a rear or top exhaust fan in

especially if you have high ambient temperatures

though you could always try it with only the front intake to see how hot it gets--if its ok then fine if not get another 120mm for exhaust

 

[DarkSable]

You want one at the back top or top back, yes. Both those parts produce a fair bit of heat.

 

[xFriarx]

I would concur that you want to pick up a second fan. It shouldn't be to big of a price increase (~$5 for a basic 120mm fan on newegg).

 

[jrayx]

I have that case and a Phenom II 955 but no GPU. With the Intake fan included and the mesh at the front is enough for my build. But with a GPU the temps will increase a lot, try to get another fan for the side.

Check another cases at the same price, sometimes you find something better.

 

[jrayx]

If you can and want to change the case for better airflow check the Zalman cases, excellent build quality and this two comes with 2 120 mm intake and exhaust fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235026

Besides the Z9 is in rebate, and the price of those 2 is pretty similar to a CM Elite 430.
I don't know if you can buy from newegg, but check those cases.

 

[chriscornell]

Just move the front intake fan to the top rear spot and you should be good to go.

I have 2 exhaust fans in my case (besides the one in the PSU), 1 top and 1 rear top. I don't have any intake fans, and my temps are as follows:

Core i5 2500 at 3,5Ghz with CM 212 Hyper Evo - Idle/load:

28c/42c

HDDs:

Disk 1: W.D. 1Tb Caviar black: 36c

Disk 2: W.D. Velociraptor 600Gb: 30c

GTX 660 Idle/Load:

32c/58c

Settle with the 1 fan that comes with the case as exhaust for now, and add another one later IMHO.