First build working the fans

[preolt]

Hey Overclock3D,

I am doing my first "real" build on my own and have a few questions I am using the Lian li pc-A05NB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112218

I will be cutting two 120 mm holes on top for air flow and also cutting out a hole in the bottom of the case right beneath the psu mount in the front for fresh air flow. I really am unsure of how I should besetting up the rest of my fans though. Should I get rid of the HDD cage and put another fan there? will the two top 120mm fans and back fan be enough? Also what direction should I have my fans ? Should I have the top 2 exhausting hot air and the rear intaking? Or flip it around and have positive air flow.

So many questions, I apologize. Besides these questions I have some hardware questions. I will be running an i5-2500k on an ASUS p67 pro mobo with 8 Gb of G.skill Ripjaw RAM. I am unsure on gpu as of now but it will probably be a gtx 560ti from msi or gygabite (overclocked versions that will not fully exhaust their air through the back sadly). I understand I want to get good fans but what should I purchase? I have heard the scythe fans are fairly nice and quite with decent air flow. But it seems around here that noctua is the fan favorite, though they do seem to be on the pricy end of things sadly

. As for cpu cooling I am looking at the scythe Mugen, it is large but seems to be the cheapest overall heatsink that provides performance.

Sorry once again I have so many questions. I am just trying to get this build right and invest my money wisely. I understand that quality components cost a little extra and am willing to pay for them, but in places I can cut corners without reaping poor results I most certainly will

.

Thanks for all and any advice

 

[dugdiamond]

if you are going to be cutting holes in anything for better airflow, you are better off making 140mm ones'.

• 140's air quieter than 120's
  
• give better flow
  

and if you do intend on replacing one fan, then replace them all with the same brand/type

noctua P14's or akasa SuperSilent 140's are the way to go

 

[sotonswan]

As for cpu cooling I am looking at the scythe Mugen, it is large but seems to be the cheapest overall heatsink that provides performance.

I'm not familiar with that CPU cooler, but you might want to google/youtube for people's experiences mounting it.

Tom has something to say about Scythe Mountings from 6:30-10:00ish on this video.

Scythe mounting on Dark Rock Pro

Basically a pain as you have to hold the CPU cooler against the motherboard while screwing in from the other side.

I'd just check if that's also the case with the Mugen and decide if you're up for it.

ATB

 

[preolt]

It seems to be widely used, though you are right every one says it is difficult to install. It is also very large. Any one have smaller ones they know of ?

As for the top blow hole fans, I chose 120mm fans because I want to some day put a radiator in top and switch over to water cooling, Arnt radiators usually 120mm fans in them? IDK I am really new to that whole field. How wide are 140mm fans? Also what is priced better the noctua, scythe, or supersilent as far as money for performance?

 

[dugdiamond]

rads are bought seperately from the fans you need to cool them

 

[preolt]

Not all, but yes some of them are. The thing is is that most are made to mount 120mm fans onto arnt they? Or is this just my misconception? Also any more consensus on fans ?

 

[preolt]

Posted twice by accident, so might as well ask another question. What radiators/ water cooling system should I look into? Also cpu heatsinks, for now on air what should I buy?

 

[KaraMurat]

Yeah most rads mount 12cm and some take 12cm & 14cm.

 

[preolt]

Hmm right now I am looking at the H50 from corsair, and for fans either getting silent typhoons from scythe, or noctua. Currently the noctua by me are 5$ more per fan and the scythe ones are out of stock =/ any one have good stores in the US or other fan options ideas?

 

[GBcf]

As far as airflow through the case goes, make shure you have more intake than exhaust fans(positive pressure). The advantage is that dust wil only enter by the intake fans. So putting dusfilters in front of the intake fans keeps the system clean from dust.

If you are looking for fans to put on the H50 you should look at how much air-pressure the fan can deliver. This is more important than airflow(cfm). For example, I have Cooler Master Excalibur fans for my H50. Expensive fans and they don't produce a very high cfm for the price. But they are made for radiators and put out a lot of positive pressure in front of the radiator and lots of negative pressure after the radiator to push and pull as much air as possible through it. You can compair it with horsepower(cfm) and torque(pressure) as far as cars go, and for radiators torque is more important than horsepower.... its like a trailer behind you're car. Hopefully this helps

Cheers!

 

[preolt]

As far as airflow through the case goes, make shure you have more intake than exhaust fans(positive pressure). The advantage is that dust wil only enter by the intake fans. So putting dusfilters in front of the intake fans keeps the system clean from dust.

If you are looking for fans to put on the H50 you should look at how much air-pressure the fan can deliver. This is more important than airflow(cfm). For example, I have Cooler Master Excalibur fans for my H50. Expensive fans and they don't produce a very high cfm for the price. But they are made for radiators and put out a lot of positive pressure in front of the radiator and lots of negative pressure after the radiator to push and pull as much air as possible through it. You can compair it with horsepower(cfm) and torque(pressure) as far as cars go, and for radiators torque is more important than horsepower.... its like a trailer behind you're car. Hopefully this helps

Cheers!

Yeah that helps a lot, I am looking at picking up the Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D 120mm Case Fans. They seem to be quality no frills or any thing on them. Might have thought about the noctua's but Newegg.com (where I order most parts) only has 1 available and I need 2-4 for my case. Which is btw a LIAN LI PC-A05NB. Its a smaller case that I am adding 2 blow holes to on top for extra air flow. Will have 2 intake 1 on front and 1 in back. I am going to flip my psu in the front and cut out a vent on the bottom for it.

I had all of my gentle typhoon fans lined up up they went out of stock as I was getting my card to order =[ Oh well. Also probably because newegg has 20% off all fans right now... So if any one knows of fans there that are quality and wouldnt mind pointing me in that direction I woulnt mind.

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

Whilst your making holes, have you considered making a hole or two in the bottom of the case for intake fans? Would help you get a more positive pressure.

Had a look at buying that case not so long back and was amazed how popular it was with moders. There are forums full of ideas for that case.

 

[preolt]

Yeah, I am putting the intake for my psu on the bottom like I said so I can flip it over. But besides that I havent really thought much about it, I mean I am planning on putting the 2 holes on top and then having 2 intake front and back. I will use a fan controller in order to achieve a more "positive" air pressure. I am not too sure I want to go drilling holes in the bottom of the case. I mean one seems fine but dont you think 3 across the bottom will sort of hit the integrity of the case?

I am not too worried about dust but hey this is my first build we'll get there when we get there ha. I ill probably make a new link and post updates as I go through the mods and put it together, jsut so I can add to the archives for the mods of this case

I will probably be attaching handles to the top of the case, I am just trying to find full 15" long black brushed aluminum type handles. I want long ones rather then regular short handles on both ends. I just think it will look sleeker that way.

Any one have thoughts on fans still. people seem to be divided over what I should get. I mean I was planning on the gentle typhoons had em in my cart and realized shipping was 20$ =.= sigh...