How should I configure my case fans?

[MikoKuch]

Hello,

In a couple of days, I will be building my first PC into a Zalman Z11 HF1 case. I have 2 exhaust fans in the back (both 3 pin, case came with both), 1 intake fan in the front (molex that the case came with) and one intake fan at the bottom (3 pin, bought it as extra, relax, I have a dust filter). All of these are 120mm. The case comes with 2 more 80mm exhaust fans on either side in the front that are supposed to cool drive bays. I have several options in how to set them up:

1. Plug them in normally and let them run. This will probably result in negative pressure because I will have only 2 intake and 4 exhaust but I'm not sure because they're only 80mm.
2. Turn both around and plug them in. I will probably have positive pressure in this case because there will be 4 intake and two exhaust, but can there be something like too much of positive pressure? Once again, I'm not sure because they're only 80mm.
3. Turn one of them around and have constant cool air going over the drive bays. I'm not sure if this will work because of the 120mm front fan that the air is gonna go past.
4. Not plug them in at all and have balanced air pressure.

Which one of these would work best? If you need any additional info, please ask.

 

[SkylerJacobs]

Usually this config will work best for most cases. Intake from the front, bottom, and side, exhaust from top and back.
Positive case pressure is always a must in my opinion, I am one who likes to keep my computer very clean. I have tried multiple fan configs in different cases, and thus far this configuration seems to work the best.

 

[atmos929]

Rule of thumb is, hot air tends to go up by itself. So in order to ensure good airflow and prevent stagnant hot air, front and bottom should be intakes, back and top should be outtakes.

Side panel fans are usually intakes as well when directed to CPU or GPU coolers to help them, well, cool better.

According to Toms, closed panel cases benefit better from negative pressure.
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1858957/airflow-101-setting-fans-keeping-computer-cool.html

I fail to see exactly where these 80mm fans are located, would you please provide a pic?

 

[MikoKuch]

Rule of thumb is, hot air tends to go up by itself. So in order to ensure good airflow and prevent stagnant hot air, front and bottom should be intakes, back and top should be outtakes.

Side panel fans are usually intakes as well when directed to CPU or GPU coolers to help them, well, cool better.

According to Toms, closed panel cases benefit better from negative pressure.
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1858957/airflow-101-setting-fans-keeping-computer-cool.html

I fail to see exactly where these 80mm fans are located, would you please provide a pic?

(The fans are located on both sides/both panels)

http://imgur.com/a/pTq2K

 

[Snagged]

Usually this config will work best for most cases. Intake from the front, bottom, and side, exhaust from top and back.
Positive case pressure is always a must in my opinion, I am one who likes to keep my computer very clean. I have tried multiple fan configs in different cases, and thus far this configuration seems to work the best.

Interesting, I would be curious to hear how you would setup a fan configuration in a case like the one I just put together. And if this is considered too much of a thread hijack then I will happily take this to PM's. At any rate, I have a NZXT Phantom 630 (this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146112&cm_re=nzxt_phantom_630-_-11-146-112-_-Product) and going to put the final touches of my fan setup to the case today or tomorrow.

Right now it is setup as one 140mm exhaust at the back (stock fan), 200mm intake at the front (stock fan), 200mm intake on top (stock fan) and a 120mm at the pivot location on the drive cages (Silverstone fan) which is going to be replaced with a 140mm (Noctua fan). Then I'm also going to place a second 200mm fan on top of the case as another intake (Bitfenix fan). Would there be any changes you would make at my proposed setup of my case fans?

I want a nice and clean system like you and the least amount of dust the better. Of course, I want an optimal cooling setup for my case as well. Would one have to give one up for another?

 

[MikoKuch]

Usually this config will work best for most cases. Intake from the front, bottom, and side, exhaust from top and back.
Positive case pressure is always a must in my opinion, I am one who likes to keep my computer very clean. I have tried multiple fan configs in different cases, and thus far this configuration seems to work the best.

Interesting, I would be curious to hear how you would setup a fan configuration in a case like the one I just put together. And if this is considered too much of a thread hijack then I will happily take this to PM's. At any rate, I have a NZXT Phantom 630 (this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146112&cm_re=nzxt_phantom_630-_-11-146-112-_-Product) and going to put the final touches of my fan setup to the case today or tomorrow.

Right now it is setup as one 140mm exhaust at the back (stock fan), 200mm intake at the front (stock fan), 200mm intake on top (stock fan) and a 120mm at the pivot location on the drive cages (Silverstone fan) which is going to be replaced with a 140mm (Noctua fan). Then I'm also going to place a second 200mm fan on top of the case as another intake (Bitfenix fan). Would there be any changes you would make at my proposed setup of my case fans?

I want a nice and clean system like you and the least amount of dust the better. Of course, I want an optimal cooling setup for my case as well. Would one have to give one up for another?

I would like to kindly ask you to take this to PMs right away. It's not the thread hijack that's bothering me, but the fact that I'm still waiting for more answers on this thread since one guy says something and another guy says something else.

 

[atmos929]

Interesting setup. Considering both side panel fans are in the front-bottom zone of the case, I really think they should be intakes, facing each other, but they will definitely need the front fan to ensure the air actually flows inside the case, I would not install them without the front fan.

I really find it odd that they come installed as outtakes... doesn't make much sense.

Also, I think that this setup is a bit overkill. I would use it only if I actually had the 3.5" bay full of HDDs. I don't think it will make much difference with only 1 or 2 devices... I would worry more about the noise they may have. Leave them if they are silent.

If you do install them, don't worry much about positive pressure, some CPU stress/temps tests will definitely tell you if you are good (Blend tests in Prime95 for 15 minutes, monitor temps with hwinfo). If you worry much about it, I would add a second top outtake fan... heck, I would add it regardless of the sidepanel fans presence... 2 top outtakes are a really good choice for airflow in my opinion. Go for 140mm if it has the holes for it, it's a huge difference.

I hope this helps. . Good luck.

 

[hwc1954]

If it were me, I would dump the molex fan the case came with because it can't be automatically speed controlled by a MB. I'd put the new 3-pin fan in it's place on the front instead of the bottom.

I'd configure the new front fan and the two 80 mm fans as intakes. I'd configure the back and top fans as exhausts. And I'd figure out a way to have auto speed control (or at least speed control) on all of them.