Should I swap all my fans with noctua's

[Mr Man]

hello, I'm new to overclocked 3D. I'm just about to build a new rig (my first) and wanted a bit of help with cooling, should I swap all of the "stock" fans in my case for noctua fans?

The only thing is that I cant pick a case, well I have 3 in mind, Fractal R3, Antec 1200 or the haf x.

I will be running a 2600k 2500k and maybe 2 6970s

or shall I just go for a water cooling loop? can't be bothered with the fuss

 

[sheroo]

It all depends on what noise levels you are happy with and which case you go for. The stock fans in the R3 are quiet, the Tricools that come with the Antec caes aren't - even on the low setting. It all depends on how quiet you want things. Also you may want to look into the AMD 7000 series cards...

 

[Mr Man]

wow that was a quick reply, only went to put the kettle on, I'm liking the R3 a lot, but I hear the fans are not the best? and yes I was thinking of the 7000 range, in fact that im looking now.

Thanks Andy

 

[SPS]

Owning an Antec 1200 I wouldn't recommend it. Stock fans are rubbish, it's very big yet there seems to be no room in it, cable management is atrocious and it doesn't naturally cater for WC.

Secondly I have seen a R3 kitted out with Noctua fans and it didn't look to good, however, they are well performing fans.

I would probably recommend maybe waiting for the NZXT switch 810 as at the moment, looks like 'the ultimate case'.

But out of those three I would go for the HAFX.

 

[sheroo]

If you want the quietest rig then the R3 is definitely the best. If you are gaming and not rendering videos then the 2500K is also the gamers choice.

 

[Mr Man]

Owning an Antec 1200 I wouldn't recommend it. Stock fans are rubbish, it's very big yet there seems to be no room in it, cable management is atrocious and it doesn't naturally cater for WC.

Secondly I have seen a R3 kitted out with Noctua fans and it didn't look to good, however, they are well performing fans.

I would probably recommend maybe waiting for the NZXT switch 810 as at the moment, looks like 'the ultimate case'.

But out of those three I would go for the HAFX.

yeah thanks I was crossing the antec 1200 off my list, its not really what I'm looking for, as for looks inside the case, I'm not bothered as long as it works and the cable management is good.

 

[S_I_N]

yeah Antec are kinda the budget (workmanship) cases as far as I can remember (even though some dont have budget prices) if you can get past the color and cost of noctua fans they are great fans. I'll have a switch 810 in my hands on Wednesday evening

I'll post about it as i move gear to it. I have alot of other parts to order (hurry up IRS and gimmie my $$) as well so it may be friday before its all hear and I can proceed with build.

If you are gaming and not rendering videos then the 2500K is also the gamers choice.

I cant agree with this more. If I had it to do over again I'd of gone with the 2500K (got a steal on my 2600k) the 2500k can get higher oc on lower vcore than my 2600k simply because of the HT (4 more cores) I have to push alot more volts to get the same stable OC as others with 2500k's can get.

 

[Mr Man]

If you want the quietest rig then the R3 is definitely the best. If you are gaming and not rendering videos then the 2500K is also the gamers choice.

OK, Thanks. I will be using the rig for every thing. I'm liking the R3 a lot and by the time I have fitted it out with noctua's I'm at the 1200 and haf x price.

 

[malarky13]

I own both the Fractal R3 and a Haf X. The R3 is great but not really suited to watercooling it is meant for a quiet pc which it does very well.

The Haf X which houses my gaming Rig is an absolute beast of a case I love mine. Its a bit marmite though you will either hate it or love it.

It has tons of space is very easy to work in and has support for a 360 rad out of the box.

BUT IT IS HUGE

I would get the Haf X a RS 360 WC kit by XSPC and a 2500k

OK, Thanks. I will be using the rig for every thing. I'm liking the R3 a lot and by the time I have fitted it out with noctua's I'm at the 1200 and haf x price.

 

[Mr Man]

I own both the Fractal R3 and a Haf X. The R3 is great but not really suited to watercooling it is meant for a quiet pc which it does very well.

The Haf X which houses my gaming Rig is an absolute beast of a case I love mine. Its a bit marmite though you will either hate it or love it.

It has tons of space is very easy to work in and has support for a 360 rad out of the box.

BUT IT IS HUGE

I would get the Haf X a RS 360 WC kit by XSPC and a 2500k

hmm, I see what you mean, plus the Haf x has great air cooling performance, but I can be doing with the fuss of water cooling, plus if im on the road, it could leak.