Fractal Design R4 - Best fan setup?

tdreilloc

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Apr 13, 2014
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Hey guys,

I recently completed my computer build and am very satisfied. The temperatures I'm getting aren't incredibly high; about 70 celcius on FurMark with my Asus GTX 780 DCU II 3GB and around 66 celcius on my i5-4670k.

These are both at stock clock speeds, although the 780 has a custom fan profile. When I do run an overclocked profile on my 780 it sometimes ramps up to 73 celcius or higher.

I do understand that this is nothing to worry about for either processor.

My question is, with my case, what's the best fan setup I could create and which fans should I use?

I was thinking:

Top: either two Corsair AF140s or two Cougar CF-V14HB in exhaust
Front: Add another Corsair AF140s or CF-V14HB fan since I have the stock 140mm fan in there also. This would be in intake.
Bottom: I have room for a fan on the bottom, not sure what size is appropriate but I will have to take a look. This would be intake and would be another one of the ones mentioned above.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Solution
ok you're trying to get a good air flow.
so you want to install the warmest components higher up in the chassi.

Heat rises so you want to accommodate that buy having your fan situated in a way that,

the front intake fans push the warm air to the back where it either gets pushed out the rear exaust fan or gets pushed up by the bottom intake fan which shall push the air up into the exhaust fans out of the chassi

radiators are only if you will have liquid cooling
Front: 1 - 120/140mm fan (included is a hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed; 1 - 120/140mm fan (not included)
Rear: 1 - 120/140mm fan (included is a hydraulic bearing 140mm Silent Series R2 fan, 1000 RPM speed)
Top: 2 - 120/140mm fans (not included) - positions also support some models of 240 radiators, depending on configuration
Bottom: 1 - 120/140mm fan (not included)

Those are the specifications for the case.
 
Oh and one more thing, I have the CM Hyper 212 Evo on my CPU. I understand the heatsink on that is great for the price. Would buying two 120mm fans help with the heat from my CPU or is the one stock 120mm fan 'good enough'?

Seems I have fan frenzy all of a sudden.
 
how have you decided to place your PSU either face down so you intake air from out the chassi and push it out the rear, or face up so you intake air from inside the chassi and push it out the rear?

If you are going to have the case on the floor I would go face up, and face down if you're going to have it standing on a desk.

both choices are valid, since face up will increase the air flow out the case but will make the PSU have to cool itself with warmer air.
I have the Black pearl chassi to and I have gone face down to prolong the PSU's lifespan, I have the chassi on a desk so I won't get dust coming through, when the PSU's fan is on.

I would keep them of the same build type fans and keep the black and white style of the case.
front fan, fractal silent R2 fan +1
bottom fan, fractal silent R2 fan +1
top radiator 2x120mm
http://www.amazon.com/XSPC-EX240-Profile-Copper-Radiator/dp/B0067LW8RY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398967543&sr=1-1&keywords=radiator+240mm

or a slim 240mm radiator

http://www.amazon.com/240mm-Radiator-PC-Water-Cooling/dp/B00JTJ26F0/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398967543&sr=1-20&keywords=radiator+240mm


 
My PSU fan is faced down, and the computer is on the floor. I always thought that aftermarket fans are better than the ones included with cases. Am I wrong? I do not care too much about the style, since all the latches are usually closed off anyway. What is the benefit of having a radiator on top? Do I add the fans to the radiator?

Some explanation is needed here, talking to a beginner after all!

Thanks.
 
ok you're trying to get a good air flow.
so you want to install the warmest components higher up in the chassi.

Heat rises so you want to accommodate that buy having your fan situated in a way that,

the front intake fans push the warm air to the back where it either gets pushed out the rear exaust fan or gets pushed up by the bottom intake fan which shall push the air up into the exhaust fans out of the chassi

radiators are only if you will have liquid cooling
 
Solution
a kind of circle which lets cooler air from outside the case to get in quicker.
you don't want fans all over since they will not have a clear direction of air flow.

Remmeber the key rule

Exhaust fans Out the Top and Rear, Intake Through the Bottom and Front