How can I improve my fan setup in the Fractal Design Define R4?

[Ryan_139]

I'm currently running an i5 4690k being cooled by a Corsair H80i and a Asus Strix GTX 1080 OC model. I dont have a fan on the side panel, should i put one their. I would really appreciate some feedback on some good fan placement to maximize cooling.

Here is a pic of my system: https://gyazo.com/1a8b4f9dd2306b473766f3491d9c7854

 

[gondo]

Nothing wrong with that setup. With 2 front intake fans, a small video card exhaust, and the radiator exaust, you probably have some positive air pressure assuming you have no top exhaust fans. A bit more intake then exhaust to eliminate dust.

I don't see a problem.

 

[Ryan_139]

I dont have any top exhaust. Would it be worth it to get a top exaust or any extra case fans? Or i did think about upgrading to the h100i gtx.

 

[gondo]

If you put a top I'd add a side to even things out, but you wont see a difference.

Keep your cooler. If you're worried about temps go all out on the cooler and put a waterblock on the video card. Otherwise leave it.

I think the best would be a side intake for more positive air and monitor your temps

 

[Ryan_139]

If you put a top I'd add a side to even things out, but you wont see a difference.

Keep your cooler. If you're worried about temps go all out on the cooler and put a waterblock on the video card. Otherwise leave it.

I think the best would be a side intake for more positive air and monitor your temps

My max temp at 100% CPU is 71

 

[gondo]

Ideally you want a radiator on the front to receive cool room air rather than warm case air on the exhaust.

Then you just match your rear/top exhaust fans to match intake fans. Side fans are a thing of the past. It disrupts proper case airflow. If you have too much exhaust just turn the fan speeds down a notch. You want more intake than exhaust to create positive airflow and eliminate case dust.

I like a CPU and video card waterblock so those fans don't interfere with air flow. Just the case fans doing the work not video and CPU fans. Air flow will then enter the front bottom and be sucked to the top rear. The amount of exhaust fans is determined by the size of the radiator and I match them accordingly.

Are the hoses long enough on that Corsair to reach the front. Even if you have to remove the front bottom fan to make room for the reservoir on the bottom of the radiator. The corsair has to have the hoses on the bottom so you would have to remove the bottom fan and mount the radiator on the top. Also the Corsair included 2 fans as a push pull config. Its been proven that this has no benefit. You only need 1 fan on either side.

So I would put the radiator on the front if the hoses are long enough. Then put 1 fan on the top of the case in the back. Leave the rear empty.

The downfall of many AIO coolers is the radiator is actually a bit larger such as yours to make room for reservoir/hoses and then it doesn't fit the proper space like a plain old radiator.

It costs money to do it it right but once you buy a nice case and rig up a nice custom open loop cooler your set for 10+ years of builds.