Corsair 350D fan query

Chopper3

New member
So, finally due my long-delayed mobo tomorrow for this new build - I wanted to get your opinions on the fan config first however.

The 350D is an mATX case, it has 120mm fan at the rear, a 140mm at the front and space for fans at the top too.

What I'm actually putting in it is;

Rear - replacing the stock 120 with a Corsair 120mm quiet series PWM - to be honest mostly because I wanted the red-rings for added prettiness :)
Front - replace the stock 140mm with two of the same 120mm fans as above.
Top - I'm sticking in a Corsair H100i but with 2 of their 120mm performance series PWM fans, again for lovely red-ring'ness. I'm planning on fitting these below the radiator, again for aesthetics - I know TTL likes them above to make hoovering easier but I'm not fussed.

So the questions, I'm already have my own opinions but I'll not flavour this question with them, it's your opinions I'm hoping to hear.

1. What directions should I have the fans facing given the above config - and why of course? there's a number of configurations but I'm keen to discuss this with you guys as I'm very much a novice when it comes to home, not server, stuff.
2. Should I put the radiation fans above or below the rad, and/or should I add some more (if I have space) for push/pull?

By the way the mobo is an asus maximus vi gene running off an ax860i with a 4770k and a stock 780 if that helps.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.
 
I would have the 2 120mm front fans pulling from the front and pushing to the back. The rear 120mm should be likewise. The 2 120mm HSP fans for the radiator need to be blowing out the top. If you reverse this order, you will need to get additional fan filters for the rear fan to prevent dust build-up, or clean it regularly. I'm not sure if it is possible to get a push/pull config on an H100i in this case unless your using LP ram and a mobo with shallow heatsinks. Hope this helps.
 
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1. The best option would probably be to have the front and rear fans as intakes (get a dust filter for the back) and run the H100i as exhaust.

2. Push or pull doesn't matter at all performance wise. Go push if you like the look of the fans or use pull if you want to be able to clean the dust off your rad easily.

Any reason you are getting PWM fans?
 
1. The best option would probably be to have the front and rear fans as intakes (get a dust filter for the back) and run the H100i as exhaust.

2. Push or pull doesn't matter at all performance wise. Go push if you like the look of the fans or use pull if you want to be able to clean the dust off your rad easily.

Any reason you are getting PWM fans?

+1 Thats how I'd do it too. (Less dust).
 
I would have the 2 120mm front fans pulling from the front and pushing to the back. The rear 120mm should be likewise. The 2 120mm HSP fans for the radiator need to be blowing out the top. If you reverse this order, you will need to get additional fan filters for the rear fan to prevent dust build-up, or clean it regularly. I'm not sure if it is possible to get a push/pull config on an H100i in this case unless your using LP ram and a mobo with shallow heatsinks. Hope this helps.

Thanks for this, I noticed you have the same case, I hope you're as happy with it as it appear to me (any gotchas/tips?) oh and I'm using some Corsair Vengeance 1866 memory, 4 x 4GB (in red :) )

Thanks for the advice.
 
1. The best option would probably be to have the front and rear fans as intakes (get a dust filter for the back) and run the H100i as exhaust.

2. Push or pull doesn't matter at all performance wise. Go push if you like the look of the fans or use pull if you want to be able to clean the dust off your rad easily.

Any reason you are getting PWM fans?

The PWM fans are in case I decide to go for the Corsair Link thing in the future - I don't think it NEEDS PWM but I think it's recommended - just not sure if I want lights inside at all just yet, so that's an option.
 
Thanks for this, I noticed you have the same case, I hope you're as happy with it as it appear to me (any gotchas/tips?) oh and I'm using some Corsair Vengeance 1866 memory, 4 x 4GB (in red :) )

Thanks for the advice.

I'm very pleased with the case. At this point though, I have probably as much building experience in it as you might. Only tip I would offer is remove the front filter cover while moving the case around as it doesn't take much pressure to dislodge the magnetic locks.

Also, Feronix has a good point with his recommendation. I just prefer a straight-through, air-flow config.
 
I'm very pleased with the case. At this point though, I have probably as much building experience in it as you might. Only tip I would offer is remove the front filter cover while moving the case around as it doesn't take much pressure to dislodge the magnetic locks.

Also, Feronix has a good point with his recommendation. I just prefer a straight-through, air-flow config.

Thanks for the comments, and the tip about the cover, hopefully not moving to too often thought.

I buy a LOT of servers for work and the generally have a 'one-direction-through' fan policy so I'm tempted to go that way myself but I'm far from sure, hence the query really I guess. Either way I'm really looking forward to the build tomorrow night - less so the hours of downloads/updates I'm sure to see :)
 
The PWM fans are in case I decide to go for the Corsair Link thing in the future - I don't think it NEEDS PWM but I think it's recommended - just not sure if I want lights inside at all just yet, so that's an option.

Since you have both the H100i and AX860i which are C Link compliant, might as well take advantage of the Corsair Link App. Unless of course that's already your intention. The Corsair Link LEDs will compliment the whole set up, where you can customize and monitor fan rpm and lights the way you prefer them.

If your cooler has the latest 1.07 firmware, I'd surely recommend using PWM fans - they are simply optimized for that FW version in terms of functionality.

btw, Feronix and Kopesetic's fan set up is the way I'd set them up as well, given the hardware you have provided. Have fun with your build :)
 
Since you have both the H100i and AX860i which are C Link compliant, might as well take advantage of the Corsair Link App. Unless of course that's already your intention. The Corsair Link LEDs will compliment the whole set up, where you can customize and monitor fan rpm and lights the way you prefer them.

If your cooler has the latest 1.07 firmware, I'd surely recommend using PWM fans - they are simply optimized for that FW version in terms of functionality.

btw, Feronix and Kopesetic's fan set up is the way I'd set them up as well, given the hardware you have provided. Have fun with your build :)

Thanks for the comments - interesting news about the 1.07 fw, I just wish the corsair link wasn't so damn ugly, it even has the logo the wrong way around! asking for a v2 if you ask me - thanks for that anyway.
 
You do know you can have two 140mm fans in the front (and on the top)? Since they are bigger they can be adjusted to a lower RPM to be quieter while still pulling the same air.
 
You do know you can have two 140mm fans in the front (and on the top)? Since they are bigger they can be adjusted to a lower RPM to be quieter while still pulling the same air.

I'd already bought the 2 x 120's, I can always swap them out in the future if I need, good point though, thank you.
 
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