Help with cooling in Fractal R5

Xaolin

Reputable
Jan 9, 2015
5
0
4,510
Hello, first of all I'm planning on buying a Fractal Design Define R5 and would like help with understanding an optimal cooling setup especially since I'll be running a GTX 970 sli configuration.

I know the R5 comes with two stock 140mm fans (one at the front and the other in the back) but I'm trying to come up with a way that I could use everything with my Corsair H100i mounted on the front of the chassis. I realize I could make life simpler if I mounted the H100i at the top but I'd like to avoid that so I can keep the moduvents on and maintain utmost silence.

I wish there were more people that have tried this setup but I've yet to see any posts in relation to the Corsair h100i. I'm also willing to replace fans and would appreciate recommendations on which fans to purchase.
 
Solution
Have you considered getting a different cooler? An NZXT Kraken X41 or Noctua NH-D15 (or another Noctua cooler depending on how much you want to overclock) would work much better so hot air doesn't enter into the case and the top can still be closed. this would keep you entire system running cooler, and quieter.
Have you considered getting a different cooler? An NZXT Kraken X41 or Noctua NH-D15 (or another Noctua cooler depending on how much you want to overclock) would work much better so hot air doesn't enter into the case and the top can still be closed. this would keep you entire system running cooler, and quieter.
 
Solution


At this point in time money would be a factor that keeps me from making that a possibility. I kind of want to make do with what I've got but with the option to add maybe two Noctua NF-F12 to my radiator instead of the stock Corsair 120mm fans that came with my H100i which I believe aren't really doing much for airflow and are quite loud even on quiet mode.
 


Honestly the case should be fairly quiet if you mount it at the top with Noctua NF-F12 fans. Obviously it won't be as quiet as possible, but it should be quiet. Then once you have the money, you could buy something like a Kraken X41 and mount it in the back and seal off the top. Just make sure you add at least one more intake fan.

If you mount it to the top and the noise bothers you, then move it to the front. If it doesn't, then keep it up there. This may be a little bit of an experiment project for you as I am not sure how quiet the pc has to be for you in order for it to be quiet (for example mine just doesn't have to be distracting for it to be quiet to me).
 


Using this configuration, would I need another one of these http:// so that all the case fans could be controlled properly with the 3-speed switch seeing as they're all practically the same design?
 


Any fan works with the fan controller.
 


These are the ones I'm currently using in my system http://

Oh and as a followup question to what you said about any fan working, is there a difference between PWM and non-PWM fans if I'm going to be using the case fan speed switch for that 2nd intake front panel fan?
 


PWM fans don't matter if you use a fan controller.
 


Thanks a lot for answering my questions! I always found it weird that my cpu was getting so hot with idle temps hovering around 50 even with an AIO cooler attached. It all makes sense now after doing tons of research that due to the ambient temperatures of my room (pretty warm with little to no airflow) an air cooler would do more than a water cooler.

I did the math and it would cost a little more to get a good air cooler like a Noctua D15 or a Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 instead of replacing two stock fans on the H100i with Noctua NF-F12s and adding a 140 mm intake.

I'll be pursuing air cooling as you suggested in your first post so that I can maintain a silent system with good airflow. Is there any cpu air cooler as good and silent than the Noctua D15 but not as ugly? I read some benchmarks and the D15 even beats out some top water coolers but it seems that the Dark Rock Pro 3 just isn't quite as good for cooling but better at being silent
 


Keep in mind that aio's and air coolers are both affected by ambient temperatures.

Also, the NH-D15 is quieter than the Dark Rock Pro 3 and MUCH easier to install.