[SOLVED] Best airflow setup with 3 fans?

[mukoolhasan]

Hey guys, I'm just a little confused about what would be the best way to put 3 x 120mm fans in a case. I was thinking of putting 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the back or top? Or Should I put 1 intake at the front and 2 exhaust, 1 back and 1 top?
What's your opinion? How and where would be the best places to put the fans? Thank you

My spec:
Corsair Spec-05 Mid Tower
Intel i5 10500
GTX 1650 (Single Fan)
Gigabyte B460M Aorus Pro
Ballistix 2x8GB 3000mhz RAM
Crucial M.2 NVME 500GB SSD
WD Blue 7200rpm1TB HDD
Corsair CX450 450W 80+ Bronze

 

[hadiahmed29]

Have you checked Thermaltake mt level 20 it has 3 intake fans in the front and lots of ventilation inside.

 

[Zerk2012]

Hey guys, I'm just a little confused about what would be the best way to put 3 x 120mm fans in a case. I was thinking of putting 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the back or top? Or Should I put 1 intake at the front and 2 exhaust, 1 back and 1 top?
What's your opinion? How and where would be the best places to put the fans? Thank you

My spec:
Corsair Spec-05 Mid Tower
Intel i5 10500
GTX 1650 (Single Fan)
Gigabyte B460M Aorus Pro
Ballistix 2x8GB 3000mhz RAM
Crucial M.2 NVME 500GB SSD
WD Blue 7200rpm1TB HDD
Corsair CX450 450W 80+ Bronze

2 front intake and one back blowing out should be fine.

 

[hadiahmed29]

Lian Li LANCOOL 215 Mid-Tower Case


COUGAR MX330-G Air Glass Window Mid-Tower


Antec NX Series NX800 Mid Tower ATX Gaming

And if the budge isn't an issue go for this one


Thermaltake Level 20 GT E-ATX full tower

 

[lvt]

Either of the two setups posted above will work for you, regardless of the case you want to use.

It's even better if the case has fans on its top.

 

[mukoolhasan]

Lian Li LANCOOL 215 Mid-Tower Case


COUGAR MX330-G Air Glass Window Mid-Tower


Antec NX Series NX800 Mid Tower ATX Gaming

And if the budge isn't an issue go for this one


Thermaltake Level 20 GT E-ATX full tower

Sorry I think I wasn't clear enough. I already have the spec 05 which comes with 1 x 120mm fans and I'm adding 2 more fans to it.

 

[mukoolhasan]

Either of the two setups posted above will work for you, regardless of the case you want to use.

It's even better if the case has fans on its top.

So 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the top should be fine? I was just a little confused. Thanks

 

[mukoolhasan]

2 front intake and one back blowing out should be fine.

Perfect thanks. That's what I was gonno do but I was confused a little so I thought I'd get a second opinion. Cheers

 

[Colif]

this doesn't answer your question but more the topic.

Best airflow for 3 intake fans =

just had to get a shout out for my old case design, still best you can get 12 years later...

not something I would suggest now.

runs away

 

[geofelt]

So 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the top should be fine? I was just a little confused. Thanks

Just my opinion:
For optimum cooling, I would make those added fans 140mm and mount them in front as intakes.
140mm fans move more air at a quieter lower rpm.
Repurpose the 120mm fan as a rear exhaust.
Top fans tend to be hurtful, diverting airflow out of the case before it can reach components.

Your parts are not overly hot, so no need to be obsessive about cooling.
You could try the supplied configuration first and see how you do.

 

[lvt]

So 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the top should be fine? I was just a little confused. Thanks

If the CPU fan is mounted vertically, it's recommended to have a rear fan to help the CPU fan pushing the hot air out.

 

[geofelt]

So 2 intake at the front and 1 exhaust at the top should be fine? I was just a little confused. Thanks

Not fine, omit the top fan and use a rear exhaust.

 

[madmatt30]

Just my opinion:
For optimum cooling, I would make those added fans 140mm and mount them in front as intakes.
140mm fans move more air at a quieter lower rpm.
Repurpose the 120mm fan as a rear exhaust.
Top fans tend to be hurtful, diverting airflow out of the case before it can reach components.

Your parts are not overly hot, so no need to be obsessive about cooling.
You could try the supplied configuration first and see how you do.

Absolutely agree with this, If a case will fit 2 x 140mm in the front then there's no reason not to go for those instead of 120mm fans.

They push more air and they're quieter generally for literally a couple of dollars more.

 

[mukoolhasan]

Just my opinion:
For optimum cooling, I would make those added fans 140mm and mount them in front as intakes.
140mm fans move more air at a quieter lower rpm.
Repurpose the 120mm fan as a rear exhaust.
Top fans tend to be hurtful, diverting airflow out of the case before it can reach components.

Your parts are not overly hot, so no need to be obsessive about cooling.
You could try the supplied configuration first and see how you do.

Just what I needed to hear. It makes sense now. And it's a budget build so I was trying to save wherever possible and since this configuration wouldn't need any crazy airflow setup I wanted to buy those 2 120mm fans I found on sale. Although I haven't bought them yet but it make sense and I have fair idea what to do. Thank you!

 

[mukoolhasan]

If the CPU fan is mounted vertically, it's recommended to have a rear fan to help the CPU fan pushing the hot air out.

This is what I'll be doing. 2 front intake and 1 rear exhaust. Thank you for your replies!