How many fans do I need with Air Cooling (Additional question, do I really need custom cables)

[brendan88]

Hi guys,

So I'm gonna build my new power house. But I was wondering if I need any more fans with the air cooling I have. Therefore, I would like to ask you guys for some opinions.

I have a bonus question that I would like to seek some answers. Do I really need custom cables with the cable management system that comes with the Enthoo Evolv?

The specs for my setup is as follows:

- i7-8700k
- Asus ROG Maximus X Hero
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED
- Asus ROG Geforce 1080 STRIX
- Corsair RMX 650W
- G.Skill TridentZ RGB DDR4 3000(16GB)
- Phanteks Enthoo Evolv (Comes with 3 140mm fans)

 

[elbert]

You need one exhaust fan min and cables aren't needed. What is needed tho is a better cooler as the CM212 cant handle the heat of the 8700K. It boosts to 4.7Ghz and requires better cooling than the old 7700K. I suggest you upgrade the cooler to atleast a Cryorig H5 or a CM212x.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212X Dual Fan 82.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-25 13:42 EDT-0400

 

[feelinfroggy777]

I would not buy any additional fans to begin with and see how your temps are after you complete the build. If your temps are high, then look at getting more fans. I would probably go with a better air cooler than the Hyper 212 though if it were me. You will get better performance with a Noctua air cooler although those are kinda high. A Cryorig H5 would be a better solution.

You should not need custom cables for cable management. Phanteks has some really good cases (I have an Enthoo Luxe) and it comes with built in cable ties. The only reason I would get cable extensions is if you want to match colors for LED fans. I have a blue LED fan system and I use Blue and White cable extensions for my cables and it looks very nice.

 

[brendan88]

I would not buy any additional fans to begin with and see how your temps are after you complete the build. If your temps are high, then look at getting more fans. I would probably go with a better air cooler than the Hyper 212 though if it were me. You will get better performance with a Noctua air cooler although those are kinda high. A Cryorig H5 would be a better solution.

You should not need custom cables for cable management. Phanteks has some really good cases (I have an Enthoo Luxe) and it comes with built in cable ties. The only reason I would get cable extensions is if you want to match colors for LED fans. I have a blue LED fan system and I use Blue and White cable extensions for my cables and it looks very nice.

I was considering to return the hyper 212 LED to newegg (since it's unopened) and get either a Cryorig H5 or Noctua NH-D14. But I wanna know if both Cryorig H5 and Noctua NH-D14 can fit comfortably into the case. I decided to opt with the trusty air cooling instead of AIO was because of the reliability issue (leakage, pump failure etc.).

On the note of the cable, I'm having a really hard time deciding actually. My system will have RGB (Motherboard, GPU, and the case). That's why I'm considering going full color, but sadly the last time I built my DIY was in 2013 and with the technology advancing so rapidly, I do not know what I need if I want to go custom cables.

 

[xcelence3782]

I also had your question when thinking about case fans. Originally i was of the mindset that I want as many fans as I can fit to maximize airflow.
It seems like there are very diminishing returns when it comes to fans though. I learned this through this vid and their tests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OmkmluAYAQ&t=743s

 

[brendan88]

You need one exhaust fan min and cables aren't needed. What is needed tho is a better cooler as the CM212 cant handle the heat of the 8700K. It boosts to 4.7Ghz and requires better cooling than the old 7700K. I suggest you upgrade the cooler to atleast a Cryorig H5 or a CM212x.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212X Dual Fan 82.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-25 13:42 EDT-0400

Thanks Elbert, with recommendations from you and Feelinfroggy777 I'm beginning to think that I got the wrong fan. I might wanna get a refund from newegg (since it's unopened) and then get a Cryorig H5 or Noctua NH-D14

 

[elbert]

The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv supports a 194mm CPU cooler so you could get tallest of air coolers. Even the Noctua D15s is only the height of the CM212 160mm. That is the one I would high suggest with the 6 core 8700K.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15S 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $78.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-25 14:23 EDT-0400