Build Advice Fan setup for the Fractal Design North XL (mesh version)

[T44v1]

Hey guys

I have mostly picked out the parts for the new PC I am building, but I was curious about the fan setup I should be using. This is the first PC I will be building for myself, so I am relatively new at this.

My PC case will be a Fractal Design North XL (mesh version). I'm thinking of using: one arctic p14 max fan in the rear as exhaust, 3 in the front as intake and then 3 arctic p12 max fans for the AIO cooler up top as exhaust.

The issue I see here is that if all fans operate at the same strength, then I might end up having negative air pressure in the case. Would it be enough of a problem that I should try and rectify it by removing a fan or two or, alternatively, powering either of the exhaust fan setups down? Any advice is appreciated.

Here's my build list in case you need the extra info: https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/user/T44v1/saved/8txhjX

 

[Lutfij]

Is the AIO you've listed in the PCPP link the first version? If yes, how old is the cooler? If no, you might want to to look into the Liquid Freezer III and the fans on it are actually good.

To get on topic with the thread's question, yes the fan setup you're thinking of should work. I would leave the rear fan mounting option blank and see how temps are.

 

[T44v1]

https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/product...iii-360-563-cfm-liquid-cpu-cooler-acfre00136a
It's this one.

 

[Phaaze88]

Hey guys
...
The issue I see here is that if all fans operate at the same strength, then I might end up having negative air pressure in the case. Would it be enough of a problem that I should try and rectify it by removing a fan or two or, alternatively, powering either of the exhaust fan setups down? Any advice is appreciated.

Here's my build list in case you need the extra info: https://fi.pcpartpicker.com/user/T44v1/saved/8txhjX

There's no pressure in the variant of the North with the mesh side panel. There actually needs to be some degree of air restriction for pressure buildup inside a case to be a thing. Too much open surface area, and there's no pressure; the air entered as easily as it exited, or vice versa.

I'm thinking of using: one arctic p14 max fan in the rear as exhaust, 3 in the front as intake and then 3 arctic p12 max fans for the AIO cooler up top as exhaust.

That's the general recommendation. You can just do that.

 

[dwd999]

Since its the mesh version of the case I would consider adding fans for the Accessory Fan bracket mounted over the gpu as long as it does not interfere with the gpu's power cable connection.

 

[Paperdoc]

The discussion over positive or negative pressure in a case really has almost nothing to do with cooling performance. It is all about DUST control. IF you arrange to have more intake capacity than exhaust and IF ALL those intake fans have cleanable dust filters on them and IF your case is sealed up except for fan openings, then only filtered air can enter, and any air leakage at small cracks is outward. In your case, as you anticipate, you may have negative pressure allowing air influx at UNfiltered entry points. But the biggest of these is the mesh side! Unless you plan to rig a huge dust filter there, there WILL be unfiltered air entry.

dwd999 has an interesting idea. It is possible with that case to mount two additional intake fans on the mesh side IF you ALSO obtain (from Fractal design directly?) an adapter for mounting them. I would assume you CAN fit mesh dust filters in front of those two fans to prevent dust intake. CHECK with Fractal Design whether the system for added side fans allows filter mounting, too. Aside from added cooling for your video card, such a fan pair will increase total air intake capacity so that the case IS at a very slight positive pressure and leakage though the mesh side will be outwards.