[SOLVED] Case fan help

[ThatSourMelon]

So, I want to buy some case fans and replace the ones that came in my computer case. I currently have an el Macho grande rt sitting atop my turbo boosted core i5-9600k in a phanteks eclipse p400s. There is this ones setting button on my case that sets the case fans to the same speed or % as my cpu cooler. My case has 6 spots for fans but I don’t want any more than 4, I might buy 2 to replace the case fans that came with my case, and get a couple more later. Also, I think it might help cool down my graphics card, it’s set to auto fan speed and it gets a little noisy during gaming (Rx 580 gaming x 8gb). I like silence, silence is a good thing, I have a smart fan mode in my motherboard BIOS (MSI Z390A-PRO) that the hotter my cpu gets, the fastest my fan goes, and as a result my case fans too. When I’m not gaming my case fans are the majority of the noise, so if I replace those with quieter, more effective versions, then they will be quieter and more effective, making my cpu cooler which would make my fans turn slower and they would be even quieter. This might be too much information. The point it: My case holds 6 120mm fans, I have Nactua NF-S12A FLX Picked our. But I’m also told that my case could also have 140mm fans. My cpu cooler is pretty big, and the end of it is an inch or two away from one of my output case fans. If they are bigger then will they be too close? Also, do I need to put a case fan there if the cpu cooler is blowing directly out of the case, so I could just put 2 of the case fans in the other 2 spots? (Side question, if I take out my cpu cooler to replace/remove a case fan, do I need to reapply thermal paste?) And is there a better case fan option for my situation? Just some general advice. Sorry this is long, I had a similar question about my cpu cooler and you guys were really helpful and suggested a better one than one I had picked out, so thanks!

 

[feelinfroggy777]

Bigger fans are quieter because they can move more air at a lower RPM. Therefore, a 140mm fan is a better for noise than a 120mm.

The size of the fan does not have anything to do with the thickness, most case fans are 25mm thick. The size of the fan is the diameter (140mm). So having a 140mm fan on the exhaust wont obstruct anything more than a 120mm fan as long as the case supports the 140mm fan.

Despite your CPU cooler being close to the exhaust, I would still have a fan at the rear of the case to remove the hot air coming from the CPU cooler.

If you want quieter, get quality fans, such as Noctua and go for 140mm where they will fit. Personally, I like the Corsair ML fans because I dont like the way Noctua fans look.

 

[ThatSourMelon]

Bigger fans are quieter because they can move more air at a lower RPM. Therefore, a 140mm fan is a better for noise than a 120mm.

The size of the fan does not have anything to do with the thickness, most case fans are 25mm thick. The size of the fan is the diameter (140mm). So having a 140mm fan on the exhaust wont obstruct anything more than a 120mm fan as long as the case supports the 140mm fan.

Despite your CPU cooler being close to the exhaust, I would still have a fan at the rear of the case to remove the hot air coming from the CPU cooler.

If you want quieter, get quality fans, such as Noctua and go for 140mm where they will fit. Personally, I like the Corsair ML fans because I dont like the way Noctua fans look.

Thanks! But I was wondering if I could fit 140mm fans into the case. I have been looking and I can’t find any exact specifications, someone said you could fit 3 exhaust 120mm fans or 2 140mm fans, how does that work? I have 1 exhaust next to my cpu cooler, and 2 on the top of the case. I have 3 intake on the right next to each other, so would I be good to have 2 140mm exhaust and 2 140mm intake case fans?

 

[Countess_C]

The specs says that it can fit a 120 mm fan only in the back, and two 140 mm or 120 mm on the top. Two 140 mm or three 120 mm fans in the front.

So the only option for the back exhaust fan is a 120 mm, but on the top you can use either 140 or 120 mm fans.

 

[ThatSourMelon]

The specs says that it can fit a 120 mm fan only in the back, and two 140 mm or 120 mm on the top. Two 140 mm or three 120 mm fans in the front.

So the only option for the back exhaust fan is a 120 mm, but on the top you can use either 140 or 120 mm fans.

Thanks! So 120mm fan for the back to output the cpu cooler, and 3 140mm, 1 for the back and 2 for the front, sound good?

 

[Countess_C]

Thanks! So 120mm fan for the back to output the cpu cooler, and 3 140mm, 1 for the back and 2 for the front, sound good?

Yes, a 120 mm for the back (CPU exhaust), one 140 mm on the top and two 140 mm for the front sounds like a good plan.