Fan upgrade worth it?

Thanatognomonic

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Jun 29, 2013
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Hey guys
Having recently built a computer (i5-4670k/660ti) I've come to the consideration of buying higher-quality fans to keep my components cooler and if its worth the money.
My current fans are as follows:
2x 140mm Fractal Design R2 silent fans
1x 120mm Coolermaster 212 EVO stock fan
1x blower fan on 660ti.

My CPU temperatures at load have maxed out so far (according to a heavily modded skyrim) at 40 degrees, whilst at no load they average around 24-30 degrees, with an ambient temperature of around 22-25 degrees, according to the time of day.
My GPU runs hotter. At full load I've seen it reach as high as 62 degrees, whilst at little load it averages out between 29-32 degrees.

My planned fans would possibly be one AF140 (as an exhaust). One SP140 (for intake, SP because of the restricted air-flow in the R4) and one/two SP120s on a push-pull configuration on the Cooler Master 212EVO.

My questions are these:
Would buying a set of higher-quality fans, costing at a total roughly £45-50 be worth it?
How far would my temperatures drop if I was to buy these fans?
Can anyone suggest some fans for cheaper that offer similar, if not better performance?
 
Solution


Yep, that would be the thing to do.
Your temperatures sound really good just as they are; 62C for that GOU under load is pretty cool, mine run up to 80C in Crysis2 and Metro LL and I have excellent air flow in my case.
Investing in new fans for that much money probably won't get your stuff much cooler if at all.
If you want to cool down the CPU a little more, maybe, you could try a closed-loop liquid cooler such as the H65 or H80i from Corsair, or Cooler Masters version of those.
YOu ask how much lower would those case fans drop your temperature; I would guess at most 1-2degrees C or maybe none. Save the money toward other stuff.
 

Thanatognomonic

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Jun 29, 2013
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I plan on doing some over-clocking when I buy a new power supply (my current is only 450W).
Knowing my temperatures would increase then, would you say high-quality fans would be more of a necessity when I over-clock or do you think my temperatures would still be low enough with the fans I already have?
 
I am assuming you are using a Fractal Design R4 case, one intake fan and one exhaust fan mounted on the case itself.
I think you will be fine with that and a little overclocking. Adding another INtake fan on the side panel would give you a little more assurance of adequate cool air into the case and a llittle more positive air pressure.
Probably don't need the two fans on the EVO unless you are gonna go crazy with the OC, and then you might want liquid cooling instead.
 

Thanatognomonic

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Jun 29, 2013
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I plan on getting as much as I can out of the 4670k when it comes to over-clocking it. Personally, I hope to get within the 4.3-4.5Ghz range.
I have the windowed version of the R4, so I have no potential for a side mounted fan (though I could add a second to the front of the case, which would be restricted lightly by the HDD cage.)
 


Yep, that would be the thing to do.
 
Solution