Question How could I position the fans to get good CFM in this case?

[Katkya]

Hello! I'm getting ready to build a new computer, and I'm thinking of getting either this case or this one. The first one has no reviews and I'm worried it would be hard to clean since the front grate is behind the fans. The second one should keep out dust pretty efficiently, but I'm worried it might not get good airflow so I'm hoping y'all can give me some advice.

The front of the case is mostly covered by the front panel, with a mesh area at the bottom. It comes with an rgb fan behind the meshed area and an exhaust fan at the back. The specs say a radiator can't be installed on the top for some reason, only the front or back.

I'd rather leave the front fan where it is so I don't want to put a 360mm radiator in the front. Could I install a 240mm radiator above the fan, and if so, would it be able to suck in in enough air behind the plate?

My other thought was to install a 120mm radiator in the back and put the built-in fan on the top of the case, with three intake fans in front. Would the front fans suck in enough air to keep the case pressurized even though two of them would be covered by the front plate?

Would either of these configurations provide good CFM, or is there another way that would work better? Any thoughts?

 

[Ralston18]

I understand that you have preferences. That is okay.

However, take a look at the installation documentation for case, cooler, and other intended build components.

There may already be some restrictions or constraints that limit your preferences or impose some unacceptable factor into the build.

Find out sooner rather than later: i.e. halfway built.....

Likely to be trade-offs.

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you are worried about good airflow, you don't want EITHER of those cases. They both have significant restrictions to airflow.

If you MUST choose one of them, the Raidmax is probably the better choice in terms of airflow, but probably not enough so that I'd want to put a radiator in front on that case. No, you can't put a 240mm and leave the fan. Radiators are longer than the fans that are mounted to them, so a radiator would not leave any room for that fan.

You need to decide whether looks or performance are bigger considerations before deciding to do ANYTHING because generally speaking you can have one or the other, unless you're willing to spend the extra money to put higher end fans WITH RGB on them in place of whatever fans the cooler comes with, unless of course you simply buy an AIO that already comes with RGB/ARGB fans.

Personally I'd say putting a radiator in front and just moving that front fan to the top rear location would be a much better idea.

 

[Katkya]

Thanks for the replies! I'm having a hard time choosing a case because I want one with the usb ports in front and most cases have them on top. I would also like one that looks cool, yeah. It's a tough choice.

So you think it would get adequate airflow with a 360mm radiator in front and exhaust fans at the rear and top? The case looks nice with the RGB fan in front but it's not essential for me. If I did get an AIO with ARGB fans, would I be able to switch the top two off and just use the bottom one? I've never had a case with ARGB before.

BTW I'm not planning on overclocking or anything, but I'm looking at getting one of the newer gen Alder Lake Intel processors.

 

[Darkbreeze]

What CPU and graphics card are you going to be running in this system?

 

[Katkya]

I haven't settled on a graphics card yet, but I'm thinking I might get a GeForce GTX 3050 or 3060. For the cpu probably an i7 or i5 in the Alder Lake series.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Are you going to be overclocking the CPU?

 

[Katkya]

Nope, I don't plan to overclock it. Honestly this rig will probably be overkill for what I'm using it for, I just want one will that continue to perform well in the future when games have higher system requirements.

 

[Darkbreeze]

In that case, you have no need of a 360mm AIO unless you are simply doing it for looks to have all three fan locations populated and THAT only matters if you are going to make sure you have bought a model that comes with RGB fans. And there aren't all that many of those out there which come with fans that have high enough static pressure to not hamper performance, but there are a few. In truth a 280mm AIO in front would be perfectly fine even for something like a 12700k and certainly if you go with any of the i5 models. Probably even for an i9 for that matter.

What you DON'T want to do is put a radiator in BACK. Not even if you could fit a 140mm model there, which you can't do anyhow on the Raidmax case as it only supports 120mm models in the rear. Rear AIO is always a bad idea anyhow unless you have a very, VERY low powered CPU.

Where are you located? Canada?

 

[Katkya]

Ah, that's good to hear! A 360mm radiator couldn't hurt though, right? It gets pretty hot here sometimes in summer so I'd think more fans is better (please correct me if I'm wrong). How do I tell which fans have high enough static pressure?

I live in Canada, yeah. If I get the Raidmax case I'll be getting it on Amazon.ca.

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is the highest temperature it gets there during the summer?

I would recommend not limiting yourself to just Amazon if you want to get a good case at a reasonable price unless you are doing it because you have Amazon Prime and get free shipping. Then, it might be worth the tradeoff. Other places like Canada computers have good deals too on better cases than that Raidmax. Raidmax and Gamedias are not really go to brands when it comes to buying a premium PC case.

 

[Katkya]

Usually it hangs around 20-30C, but occasionally there are heatwaves that go over 30. Last year the temperature reached almost 40C (104F) and I had to stop using my computer to prevent it from overheating.

 

[Darkbreeze]

For example, any of these would be better choices than either of those cases.

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_1937&item_id=188801

https://www.vuugo.com/fractal-design-pc-cases-FD-C-FOC2A-03.html?tracking=5108053939762

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_1937&item_id=220167

 

[Katkya]

I'm definitely open to getting a different case, I'm just being picky about it and am having a hard time finding one I like since most cases have the usb ports on top, which would be inconvenient for me.

 

[Katkya]

Could you recommend any that have the usb ports on the front of the case?

 

[Darkbreeze]

104°F isn't that hot, comparatively, when we have members in some south American and middle east countries that deal with 120+ temperatures regularly. Still, it's warm. But even at that temp if you have thermal issues it's due to a problem with your cooler, thermal paste, dust clogged, poorly configured, lack of airflow or something along those lines.

ANY halfway decent cooler should be capable of handling 104°F ambient temps so long as the cooler is adequate for the CPU. And I'm sure it probably isn't that temperature in the house, although maybe, as I'm not sure whether homes in Canada tend to be equipped with air conditioning of any kind since it's usually tending towards colder there, traditionally.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Why on top? I mean, ok, but why? Why not just get a USB hub instead and then they can be anywhere you want them to be?

 

[Katkya]

The computer I have now is pre-built and does not get very good airflow, I'm not even sure what kind of cooler it's got. The place I lived last year had no air conditioning and it might have actually been hotter than 40C in there at some points. I'm not used to it so I couldn't sleep for more than a week, I thought I would die! I finally broke down and got an air conditioner this year in case there's another heatwave like that so hypothetically it shouldn't go much higher than 30C in here, but it's better to be prepared.

My tower is on a table positioned above where I sit, so I have to reach up to use the usb ports or hit the power button. If the ports are on top I have to get up every time I plug something in which, obviously, not a big deal, but I figured if I'm gonna build my own I might as well choose a case with conveniently placed ports. I have seen some nice cases with ports that are on an angle between the front and the top, which would be slightly more convenient than the ones with them on top.

But given that I shouldn't be dealing with extreme temperatures, the Raidmax case would probably be fine right? Especially if I put a 360mm radiator in?

Thanks so much for your advice btw, this is really helpful!

 

[Katkya]

It's also nice to have the power button on the front of the case so I can easily see if the computer's in sleep mode.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Honestly, I think that the placement of the USB ports and power button should be secondary or even tertiary concerns over the build quality, thermal performance and internal features such as cable management and airflow characteristics, but not my system so if want the Raidmax, that is your call, obviously. I just don't think you're going to find that you've bought what you actually thought you were buying. Raidmax cases are not known for good quality. They tend to not be built with the same thoughts for quality as better brands. Cheaper cases like most of what Raidmax sells tend to not have finished edges on the metal, which can result in being cut if you're not careful, thin and flimsy panels that tend to warp or not fit quite right, cheaper materials that are more prone to breaking or being brittle, and so on.

Not being able to find a verifiable professional review on a given model also tells us something. It tells us that not one single reputable review site felt like that model was worth their time to review and that the manufacturer, Raidmax, did not feel sending out review samples to reputable reviewers was worth doing either since they'd likely get poor feedback from it.

So, there are a few other choices available that DO have front mounted USB and power buttons, but there might be a few concessions necessary to get a good quality case and still get those things. As in life, everything is a give and take unless you're willing to pay more.

What is the most you are willing to spend on a case?

Here is a very decent option, and isn't any more really than that Raidmax case. The only problem with it is that it only supports up to 240mm radiators in front, which honestly isn't a problem since any decent 240mm AIO should be more than enough for an Alder lake i5 or i7.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/zhjJ7P/cougar-mx330-g-atx-mid-tower-case-mx330-g


Another decent option, which does support up to 360mm radiators in front.

https://www.newegg.ca/black-cooler-master-elite-500-odd-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811119434


But, the point being, for something that could easily be remedied by running a USB hub on your desk to the back of the case, you are really limiting your choices for a good quality case with good airflow, for something you might do two or three times a day at most that takes you two seconds, or no seconds extra with a small USB hub.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Also, another option that will probably be in the 120-ish CAN range soon (Not yet out, but reviews are popping up and listed on PCPP but without any prices yet) is the Lian Li Lancool 216 which has a relocatable front I/O (USB, power button) that can either be on the top front (At an angle) or on the bottom front left, based on where you prefer. Lian Li is a very high quality case manufacturer and this would be a great choice if you were willing to wait for them to become available and don't mind paying a bit more. Also has full mesh front and will flow air supremely well, just like the Lancool 215 does.

LANCOOL 216 - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases

LANCOOL 216 AIRFLOW FOCUS The LANCOOL 216 is a mainstream case that features all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air cooling or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe...

lian-li.com

 

[Katkya]

Well those ones are not that pretty, but I get what you're saying about the manufacturing quality. You're definitely right, it's better to go with one of those or one of the ones with top-located I/O if there's such a difference in quality. I'm willing to pay up to $200 for a case, maybe more if I find one I really like. Would prefer a cheaper one if it comes without any case fans since they'll eat into my budget.

I'm really glad I posted here now! I'm gonna take a good look at the cases you recommended and others from those manufacturers and rethink what kind of case I want.

 

[Katkya]

What do you think of this Thermaltake case? Is Thermaltake an okay brand? It has a glass plate in front which would hinder airflow, but it also comes with a grate I could swap in if I were worried about it overheating. The IO is angled and it has a USB Type-C port, which would be handy to have. With shipping it's pretty expensive and more than I wanted to pay for a case, but at least it comes with fans and has space for a radiator on top.

No reviews on Newegg yet, but a fairly in depth review was just posted to this site like 4 hours ago, oddly. It's bigger and more expensive than I wanted, but if the quality is decent I'd consider getting it since I quite like this one.

 

[Darkbreeze]

No way in hell I'd pay or recommend anybody else to pay, that kind of price for that kind of case. Thermaltake does have a few decent cases, and if you like that one by all means don't let me be the one to tell you not to go for it, but honestly you can get a FAR better case that looks FAR better, for much less, and most likely, including fans or at least including some fans. Personally I'd rather case manufacturers would start NOT including fans, and simply charge less for the cases they sell, because what they include is almost always junk anyhow compared to what you'd be likely to buy yourself in the aftermarket if you were looking for quality fans.

Personally, I think that case is ugly as hell (But everybody has different tastes and what looks good to me maybe doesn't to everybody else so as always, put as much salt on your food as you like since I'm not the one who has to eat it, so to speak), especially the interchangeable front grill, and you probably wouldn't want to run it with the TG panel if you front mount the radiator, which is always generally the recommended placement. But, you're only looking at a few degrees difference usually if you top mount the radiator so it is always an option too. Not to mention, IMO the airflow is probably more important than the looks of the front panel, but these days you can have both. But, I am not a big fan of Thermaltake, even though they have a few products that I will grudgingly recommend from time to time when they are the best option due to an ongoing sale or whatever. However, they are a much more premium brand than Raidmax, there is zero question about that.



When it comes to front panel USB Type C you need to KNOW what kind of header it needs to connect to because "USB Type C" only describes the connector, which is of course reversible, it has nothing to do with the standard involved. There are USB 3.1 Gen 1 type C, USB 3.2 Gen1 type C , USB 3.2 Gen 2 type C (Also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2) and USB Gen 2x2 type C.

USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 1 will all connect to the same type of header on a motherboard. USB 3.2 Gen 2 has it's own type of internal motherboard header connection which is not extremely common yet and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 requires an even more specialized "dual channel" header that is even rarer. You need to know which type the case you want to use front panel USB C with requires and then make sure that the motherboard you select has a compatible internal header that will allow you to use that front panel USB C header.

Another choice to look at as well. Really hard to find something good that doesn't have the power button and USB ports on top these days so what we've discussed so far is probably mostly what's out there.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product...520-argb-atx-mid-tower-case-mcb-b520-kgnn-rga

 

[Katkya]

Now that one, I like! I've actually been eyeing that one on and off, but I wasn't sure it was the best choice before since I was mainly looking at ones with the I/O on the front. However, if you think it's a good quality case then that might be the one. It's much more affordable than the Thermaltake one and I'd still get my rainbows, which is mysteriously very important to me even though I don't like bright lights.

If I get that one, what size radiator would you recommend I put on the top to achieve optimal CFM?