Big Heatsink CPU cooler

[RPh ChemE]

If i have big heatsink cpu cooler like the Noctua NH D-14 that blows air right into the rear, how would i position the 2 140mm on the roof/top of my case? Intake or Exhaust?

PS: i have a blower type gtx 770(Zotac) if that matters..

 

[volcanoscout]

You'll want to set them up as exhaust. You may want to test your temps with and without the top/front fan though - I think you'll find that it doesn't contribute all that much. If that's the case, you can reposition it to a bottom or side mount.

 

[jimthenagual]

Front and bottom of the case are typically intake
Rear and top are exhaust

So I'd recommend the top fans are exhaust.

 

[RPh ChemE]

if i set them up as exhaust, will they affect the airflow in the noctua nh d14? or if i set them as intake, will they help cool the memory and vrms?

 

[jimthenagual]

The exhaust of the D14 will still be going over the VRMs, especially with a back fan taking the air out.

 

[RPh ChemE]

ok ill set them up now. they're bitfenix spectre pro 140mm fans. i hope i made the right decision choosing them over the corsair af140 quiet editions.

 

[volcanoscout]

If you set the rear and top/rear as exhaust, and front, bottom, side as intake, it sets up a front to back, bottom to top airflow that funnels air to your GPU and CPU (and VRMs) and exhausts it efficiently. Your memory doesn't need any extra cooling besides what it will get from the general airflow. If you set your top fans as intakes, you'll just create turbulence which disrupts the airflow and reduces cooling efficiency.

Here's a good fan config reference:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1

 

[RPh ChemE]

The exhaust of the D14 will still be going over the VRMs, especially with a back fan taking the air out.

that's a nice diagram. the only problem is. my case only has one front 140mm fan. no other front fans/ports available with my case. i hope the pattern will still be the same right?

 

[RPh ChemE]

and i have no side intakes. My case is the Raidmax Cobra.

 

[volcanoscout]

You've still got options. Try the top/front fan as an exhaust and as an intake and note what the difference in you CPU and GPU temps are - you can check the temps using something like HWMonitor, and check the temps using a benchmark program like OCCT, AIDA64, Prime95. Once you've got those temps marked down, try mounting that fan as an intake in the bottom mount if your PSU leaves you enough room for it. You could also try mounting it to the backside of your middle or bottom drive bay and use it to boost the flow of your front intake.

 

[RPh ChemE]

Like this?

 

[volcanoscout]

Perfect! Now you just need to test the config and see how your temps do.

 

[volcanoscout]

The top fans can be a pain to mount and dismount with the cooler installed, but I think in the process of testing various configurations, you might find that your temps are better without any fan in the top/front mount. It varies from case to case, but in the three I'm using now none of them had better temps with a fan in that position and the two larger cases actually had worse temps. More fans is not always better.

 

[RPh ChemE]

I tried top intake first so that i can compare easier.

1x120mm Front Intake,
1x120 Bottom Intake,
1x140mm back of the hardd rive cage blowing air to gpu,
1x120mm rear exhaust,
2x140mm top intake
DeepCool Lucifer 2x140mm push-pull.

ALL 7 volts through Fan Controller

Ambient - 28-30 deg

IDLE:

Core Temp:

Core 1: 30-33
Core 2: 31-33
Core 3: 30-33
Core 4: 32-33

GPU: 34-35

Gaming (GTA IV Max Settings with ENB and HD Textures): 30 minute run

Core 1: Max Temp 46
Core 2: Max Temp 47
Core 3: Max Temp 47
Core 4: Max Temp 46

GPU: Temp 49-55

I'll try top exhaust next.