Antec 300, fan sizes/fan set up

[capsandogs]

Hey guys, I've got an Antec 300 that I am looking to put a couple extra fans in. It already has 3 speed fans on the top (140 mm) and the back (120 mm) as exhaust. I'm currently pulling air passively through the side vent, and the front vents. I want to put fans on the front (2 slots, thought they were 120 mm since one of the stock upgraded 300s has 2 120mm in the front but may be 140 mm) and don't really know what to do with the side.

questions:
1. Does anyone know for sure what size fans should go in the front?
2. what should I do with the side vent?
3. I was planning on getting these silenX 120mm fans, anyone used them/like them?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-226-042&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo
4. Since I'm doing all this fan work, I was going to replace the stock fans with quieter ones. The 120 mm rear exhaust I was going to replace with another silenX, but the 140 silenX fan doesn't look quite as good based on the numbers so is there a decent QUIET 140 mm fan for my top exhaust?

 

[Rugger]

Glad I could help...if you get the 212+ then let us know how the your temps turnout after install. If you need help with the install then feel free to ask....it's relatively simple but you just need to be thorough. The first time I did one it was a mess and I had to learn some things the hard way!

 

[capsandogs]

They are awesome; I installed the 212 EVO this morning, and used arctic cooling mx-4 for the TIM. I turned it on and let it run for bit, and then ran prime 95, and I let it run for 23 min and only got up to 49, so that's pretty awesome. Probably over 20 degree difference. I'm thinking the old thermal paste might have also had something to do with it.

 

[Rugger]

That's a phenomenal difference! I'd be willing to bet you're right about the old thermal paste and i'd throw in that dust/dirt on the HSF was reducing the colers efficiency, too. Burn in the new past with 12hrs of Prime95...temps might even drop a couple more degrees.

 

[capsandogs]

I'll do that. The install was not too bad at all- used a very lint free type of paper towel and alcohol to clean, and blew compressed air on it afterwards before applying new stuff. The only tricky part was that my CPU actually came off with the old cooler so I had to put that back in (never had the CPU out of socket before), but other than that it was pretty smooth.

 

[Rugger]

Cool - glad it worked ou so well and you're happy with the purchase. I can imagine a look of confusion when you peer down at an empty socket. 😀