Best fan configuration for my case (h700)

[MattyB13]

Hope this is the right forum, I have components on the way and I am trying to wrap my head around the build before everything arrives and can't make a decision on case fans. I'm used to high airflow cases, which I'm assuming the nzxt h700 is not due to the front and top panels. critical components below..

i7-8700k
noctua dh-15
rog strix 1080
aorus 5

Never put much thought into case fans other than intake front/side exhaust back/top.. Can anyone give me suggestions for what kind of fans to use and where? I can put either 3 120mm or 2 140mm on the front and top, and 1 140mm on the back. I was thinking 2 140mm for front and top and then the one on the back, but that seems like the pressure will be off and I will be sucking in dust from every little crack and crevice.. what would you guys do?

Also since there are panels front and top should I use static pressure fans there? If so can anyone recommend some good ones? I was looking at the mag lev corsair fans, but they are pricey for fans.. probably going to replace all the stock fans (nzxt aer f) if it is worth it.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Tony_186]

I would have the front ones sucking air in and the back and top ones sucking it out.

 

[Aeacus]

You can go with 140mm fans all around just fine. And if you don't want negative pressure due to the 2x intake and 3x exhaust fans, just run your intake fans at higher speed than your exhaust fans. Though, i'd go with static pressure fans since those solid panels give considerable restrictions in airflow.

With all that expensive hardware you're getting, i wouldn't say Corsair ML140 Pro LED fans would be pricey. Sure, ML140 Pro fans have premium price but they also have mag-lev bearing (one of the few fans that have it) and a very good balance between airflow (CFM) and static pressure (mmH2O).

In my opinion, the best case fan to use (while also looking good) is Corsair ML Pro LED series, both the 120mm and 140mm versions,
140mm, specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/LED-Color/Fan-Size/Package-Quantity/ml-pro-led-config/p/CO-9050046-WW
140mm, review: http://thermalbench.com/2016/07/29/corsair-ml140-pro-140-mm-fan/
140mm, pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/D34NnQ,cfyxFT,sYNypg,ycH48d/

Here are the pros and cons of Corsair ML140 Pro LED fans:
Pros
* great airflow (20 - 97 CFM)
* great static pressure (0.2 - 3.0 mmH2O)
* great RPM range (400 - 2000 RPM)
* PWM control (4-pin fan)
* mag-lev bearing
* 4 color options (red, blue, white LED and non-LED version)

Mediocre
* noise output (16 - 37 dB(A))

Cons
* price

I have Corsair ML Pro LED series fans in use with 2 out of 3 of my PCs (Skylake and Haswell, full specs with pics in my sig). Mostly 140mm but few 120mm as well. I've been using them well over a year now and i'm happy with them. They look good and they also provide plenty of airflow in my full-tower ATX cases.
If only Corsair would've taken the performance of ML Pro LED series fans and eyecandy of their LL series fans, we'd have the perfect fan, both performance and eyecandy wise. While Corsair did release ML RGB series fans, they lowered the performance and eyecandy isn't at the top level either.

When Corsair ML Pro LED series is too much for you price wise, you can look towards Noctua lineup for good performing fans. Though, Noctua lineup is non-LED,
link: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan

 

[MattyB13]

Thanks Aeacus for the very helpful response. It's funny because I actually ordered some ml140s (non pro, I liked the white blades and did not actually want the LEDs.. though the rubber anti-vibe grip things would be nice) so your praise makes me happy. Also good idea about the pressure suggestion, I will look into that.