2 x 120mm vs 1 x 180mm

[samuelspark]

Which would be better for airflow in a case? I am probably going to run dual 6850's. Essentially, this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322020 vs this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322015 . I'm going to fill in all the fan slots anyway. Which would be better? Gunna also house a CM Hyper 212 Evo.

 

[mortsmi7]

Pick fans out for both sizes, then compare the cfm's. The air flow varies greatly by model of fan. Two 120mm fans cost about the same as one 180mm.

Personally I'd get 2x 120mm's.

 

[samuelspark]

? They both come with 4 fans. The black box comes with x4 120mm and 7 120mm slots. The optimus has x3 120mm, x1 180mm and x5 120mm, x1 180mm slots. Which would be better? I was think about the black box since it would have 1 120mm for each 6850. But the black box is shorter and might not fit top case fans and a large CPU cooler.

 

[samuelspark]

There's also another black box with a 220mm fan. 0.o

 

[geofelt]

In general,the cooling capacity of the two will be similar at the same rpm's.
The cooling area is proportional to the area of the fans, or the square of the radius(60x60x2=7200) or (90x90=8100)

That said, I do not like either case for cooling. They have limited front intake ventilation.
I would look at the Antec illusion model which includes two 120mm intake fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
There are other good choices.
I don't like side fans, they disrupt the natural front to back and bottpm to top airflow.

If price is really critical, get the Antec 100 which is $35 after rebate, and add two yate loon 120mm intake fans for $5 each.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098

 

[davcon]

Which would be better for airflow in a case? I am probably going to run dual 6850's. Essentially, this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322020 vs this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322015 . I'm going to fill in all the fan slots anyway. Which would be better? Gunna also house a CM Hyper 212 Evo.

Well you won't be filling too many side fan slots and using a HSF at the same time.
The first case will limit you to the bottom side mount fan.
The other case won't fit that heatsink if you want to use the side fan.
So it looks like you'll be removing fans lol!
I'm with geo on this one.
Side fans do pretty much nothing in my experience but disrupt airflow and add dust.
Btw do you not read the user reviews stating the supplied fans are low quality=crap.

 

[samuelspark]

OH SNAP! Antec illusion sale is back!

 

[samuelspark]

Hm... Seems that the illusion has no motherboard cutout, cable mangement, finished interior, tooless installion. I'm hesitant to buy this.

 

[cbrunnem]

In general,the cooling capacity of the two will be similar at the same rpm's.
The cooling area is proportional to the area of the fans, or the square of the radius(60x60x2=7200) or (90x90=8100)

That said, I do not like either case for cooling. They have limited front intake ventilation.
I would look at the Antec illusion model which includes two 120mm intake fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
There are other good choices.
I don't like side fans, they disrupt the natural front to back and bottpm to top airflow.

If price is really critical, get the Antec 100 which is $35 after rebate, and add two yate loon 120mm intake fans for $5 each.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098

with all due respect did you ever take a math class???
the area of the fans is not 7200 and 8100 not even close. try 254.5 and 113.1 cm squared. and its a little more offset too because the center solid area is the same for both sizes so essentially the 180's have more effective area to move air.

 

[geofelt]

with all due respect did you ever take a math class???
the area of the fans is not 7200 and 8100 not even close. try 254.5 and 113.1 cm squared. and its a little more offset too because the center solid area is the same for both sizes so essentially the 180's have more effective area to move air.

With all due respect, did you ever take a reading class?
I said the area was PROPORTIONAL to the square of the radius.

I apologise for being snippy.
In the end, the potential cooling from the two sets of fans is mote similar than different.

 

[samuelspark]

What if it was 200mm? I might get a HAF 912. I can get two 120mm antec tricool fans for $8

 

[geofelt]

Hm... Seems that the illusion has no motherboard cutout, cable mangement, finished interior, tooless installion. I'm hesitant to buy this.

Once you have installed, you don't need a motherboard cutout, or tool less installation.
Actually, I prefer screws anyway, unless the toolless design is really good.
Who cares about a finished interior if you don't have a window ?
Just tuck the cables out of the way, and it is not an issue.
1000 antec illusion reviewers must think it is a good case.
@$45 with free shipping it is a good deal.


That said, cases are a personal thing. Get the one that appeals you you regardless.
You will see it and touch it every day. Get the best and you will not regret it.

If you have two 120mm fans, or the equivalent for either intake or exhaust, you will get decent cooling.

 

[samuelspark]

I might get a HAF912 because of the fact that it's big, and supports 200mm fans. Thanks guys.

 

[cbrunnem]

With all due respect, did you ever take a reading class?
I said the area was PROPORTIONAL to the square of the radius.

I apologise for being snippy.
In the end, the potential cooling from the two sets of fans is mote similar than different.

yeah i read it alright but your numbers were all wrong. because for some reason you squared 60 and multiplied it by 2??? the point is that you got numbers that were way out of the ball park in relation to each other. (7200 and 8100? 180mm should be over twice the other.)

180mm fans have a little more then twice the cross sectional area and flow about twice the air OP thats whats important.

 

[samuelspark]

Best answer selected by samuelspark.

 

[geofelt]

yeah i read it alright but your numbers were all wrong. because for some reason you squared 60 and multiplied it by 2??? the point is that you got numbers that were way out of the ball park in relation to each other. (7200 and 8100? 180mm should be over twice the other.)

180mm fans have a little more then twice the cross sectional area and flow about twice the air OP thats whats important.

I multiplied by 2 because we were comparing two 120mm fans to a single 180mm fan.

 

[cbrunnem]

I multiplied by 2 because we were comparing two 120mm fans to a single 180mm fan.

fair enough