Looking for best case fans and radiator fans for my build

[Divinedeath]

CPU: 5930k

MOBO: ASUS x99 DELUXE

CPU cooler: Swiftech h240X (which comes with 2 140mm Helix fans); both fans were mounted at top of case and switched to exhaust air out top. There is room on the bottom of the radiator to add a fan such that I could have a partial push/pull configuration. I need advice on which fan I should purchase to be mounted here such that it would be pushing air upward against the radiator, so it should be high static pressure. Should i just move one of the Helix to this push location since it seems to have a decent static pressure and just buy a better high airflow fan that will be mounted above the radiator? Or should i scrap both Helix fans and buy a Noctua NF-A14 PWM for the fan to be mounted below the radiator pushing upward, and 2 other higher airflow fans to be pulling air from the radiator?

CASE: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe (white) which comes with 1 front 200mm phanteks fan, 1 top 140mm exhaust fan, and 1 rear 140mm exhaust fan.
Please let me know if I should replace any of the 3 case fans above. I have heard that the 1 front 200mm fan would be inferior to getting 2 140mm fans. Right now my only intake fan is this 200mm fan, and due to the white plate over the intake (which I may remove) as well as the middle hard drive cage (which I will likely also remove), i'm worried about obstructed air intake.

I could add 2 vertical mounted 140mm fans attached to the inner part of the hard drive cages to improve intake flow, or add a 140mm fan to the bottom of the case for air intake.

Would appreciate any suggestions for fans.

Also, I'm not quite sure what to do with my fan connections. The 3 fans that came with the case are connected to a PWM fan hub via 3 pin connectors, which is then connected directly to the 4 pin CPU FAN on the MOBO. My mobo comes with a separate card which also allows fans however I didnt think this was necessary to use since I was using the case fan hub. However now I received my Swiftech CPU cooler and it has an 8 port fan HUB all with 4 pin connections. So i'm kind of lost as to what I need to do, which hub to use, and how do deal with the 3 fans with 3 pin connectors if i cant use the case PWM fan hub.

 

[Barney6262]

for the rad fans, push pull isn't really going to make a ton of difference. I would suggest just to two noctua fans in pull. This would be perfectly sufficient and be alot quieter. (plus having a push element to your rad makes it prone to dust build-up)

For your case fans, If the 200mm is crap (bad airflow) i would suggest two static preassure fans (noctua NF-a14). This is because you are pushing air through multiple obstructions so you need as much pressure as you can get. I made the mistake of getting two airflow fans for the front of my case, they have to pull through a small dust filter and some HDD cages but they still dont pull much air through. As soon as i remove the dust filter it's like a hurricane...

It's your choice on fan control. Some people like a more manual hardware control (switches/case sliders) but others prefer software control. Both can be made automated but the software route is usually easier in my experience. If i were you, plugin the fans to motherboard headers and try to use software (such as speed fan, not the best example but it will do) to config them how you like.

 

[Divinedeath]

for the rad fans, push pull isn't really going to make a ton of difference. I would suggest just to two noctua fans in pull. This would be perfectly sufficient and be alot quieter. (plus having a push element to your rad makes it prone to dust build-up)

For your case fans, If the 200mm is crap (bad airflow) i would suggest two static preassure fans (noctua NF-a14). This is because you are pushing air through multiple obstructions so you need as much pressure as you can get. I made the mistake of getting two airflow fans for the front of my case, they have to pull through a small dust filter and some HDD cages but they still dont pull much air through. As soon as i remove the dust filter it's like a hurricane...

It's your choice on fan control. Some people like a more manual hardware control (switches/case sliders) but others prefer software control. Both can be made automated but the software route is usually easier in my experience. If i were you, plugin the fans to motherboard headers and try to use software (such as speed fan, not the best example but it will do) to config them how you like.

Thanks, so I should replace the 2 helix fans included with the swiftech product with 2 140mm Noctua NF-a14 (not the industrial NF-a14's just the regular PWM variety? I saw some industrial one with a similar name that go up to 3000 and have a really high static pressure but you are talking about:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608044
right?

And also pick up 2 more 140mm NF-a14's to replace the 200mm Phanteks front case fan.

What about adding a bottom 140mm intake fan (NF-A14) or any hard drive vertical case fans? Think the front intake should be enough?

 

[nick779]

for the rad fans, push pull isn't really going to make a ton of difference. I would suggest just to two noctua fans in pull. This would be perfectly sufficient and be alot quieter. (plus having a push element to your rad makes it prone to dust build-up)

For your case fans, If the 200mm is crap (bad airflow) i would suggest two static preassure fans (noctua NF-a14). This is because you are pushing air through multiple obstructions so you need as much pressure as you can get. I made the mistake of getting two airflow fans for the front of my case, they have to pull through a small dust filter and some HDD cages but they still dont pull much air through. As soon as i remove the dust filter it's like a hurricane...

It's your choice on fan control. Some people like a more manual hardware control (switches/case sliders) but others prefer software control. Both can be made automated but the software route is usually easier in my experience. If i were you, plugin the fans to motherboard headers and try to use software (such as speed fan, not the best example but it will do) to config them how you like.

You kids and your overpriced Nocs

 

[Divinedeath]

for the rad fans, push pull isn't really going to make a ton of difference. I would suggest just to two noctua fans in pull. This would be perfectly sufficient and be alot quieter. (plus having a push element to your rad makes it prone to dust build-up)

For your case fans, If the 200mm is crap (bad airflow) i would suggest two static preassure fans (noctua NF-a14). This is because you are pushing air through multiple obstructions so you need as much pressure as you can get. I made the mistake of getting two airflow fans for the front of my case, they have to pull through a small dust filter and some HDD cages but they still dont pull much air through. As soon as i remove the dust filter it's like a hurricane...

It's your choice on fan control. Some people like a more manual hardware control (switches/case sliders) but others prefer software control. Both can be made automated but the software route is usually easier in my experience. If i were you, plugin the fans to motherboard headers and try to use software (such as speed fan, not the best example but it will do) to config them how you like.

You kids and your overpriced Nocs

Do you have another alternative with such a high MTBF of 150,000 hours? Sometimes these are sold by NCIS for $16.99. I dont want to skimp but want the best airflow and static pressure at relatively low noise and from what i've read so far it seems noctuas are great, other than its normal price.

 

[Divinedeath]

I havent tried the helix ones yet that came with the swiftech h240x but typically the provided fans on AIO coolers are not premium quality fans and are loud. And i wanted to make sure at least if i use the push fan beneath the radiator that it has a high static pressure.

The main thing i'm worried about at this point is I only have ONE intake fan which is on the front and is somewhat obstructed, which will lead to negative air pressure in the system when I really want positive pressure so that the dust is forced out rather than accumulate. So I need more intake, whether its from replacing the 200mm front fan or adding a bottom 140mm fan.

The brands dont mean a lot to me but I do appreciate ones that have a high mean time before failure. I honestly dont like the look of the noctua fans and would prefer LED fans instead, but more important than looks to me is the high airflow and the high static pressure (for the radiator).

 

[Barney6262]

Sorry for slow reply.
The whole thing about case pressure has minimal effects in real life. I would not suggest a bottom mounted intake unless you have a strong dust filter on it.

For noctua fans, do not get the industrial versions as they are very expensive (relatively), the normal Pwm version is what you want. They may look ugly, try to hide them behind your radiator in pull (fans on top with radiator below).

 

[nick779]

for the rad fans, push pull isn't really going to make a ton of difference. I would suggest just to two noctua fans in pull. This would be perfectly sufficient and be alot quieter. (plus having a push element to your rad makes it prone to dust build-up)

For your case fans, If the 200mm is crap (bad airflow) i would suggest two static preassure fans (noctua NF-a14). This is because you are pushing air through multiple obstructions so you need as much pressure as you can get. I made the mistake of getting two airflow fans for the front of my case, they have to pull through a small dust filter and some HDD cages but they still dont pull much air through. As soon as i remove the dust filter it's like a hurricane...

It's your choice on fan control. Some people like a more manual hardware control (switches/case sliders) but others prefer software control. Both can be made automated but the software route is usually easier in my experience. If i were you, plugin the fans to motherboard headers and try to use software (such as speed fan, not the best example but it will do) to config them how you like.

You kids and your overpriced Nocs

Do you have another alternative with such a high MTBF of 150,000 hours? Sometimes these are sold by NCIS for $16.99. I dont want to skimp but want the best airflow and static pressure at relatively low noise and from what i've read so far it seems noctuas are great, other than its normal price.

Just about any Delta, sans ace or panaflo fan. The majority are underrated and have more static pressure and flow than the Nocs.

I really, REALLY doubt Noctuas testing methodology when it comes to MBTF times because even industrial Fan manufacturers dont hit 150,000 hour rating, and they have ball bearings and much, much higher RPM fans. Keep this in mind, Noctua has this "SSO" bearing technology, and it lasts longer than the company has existed. Noctua was founded in 2005 and they claim a ~16 year lifespan on their bearings. How can they verify that when they havent even been around long enough to test it?

Do you honestly see yourself keeping any fan for 16 years, provided you keep it on 24/7? Hell even 100,000 hours is pushing it. Id probably just buy new fans with a new build to keep up with technology.

Noctua fan- $29+
Delta fan- $8-17
Claming a MBTF longer then your company has existed- Priceless

 

[Barney6262]

Claming a MBTF longer then your company has existed- Priceless

You realise you can test a technology without being a registered company. Even if that isn't the case it is pretty easy to estimate a product life span, especially something so simple as a fan.

 

[nick779]

Claming a MBTF longer then your company has existed- Priceless

You realise you can test a technology without being a registered company. Even if that isn't the case it is pretty easy to estimate a product life span, especially something so simple as a fan.

Id rather buy parts with a bit of a track record and not take guesses. My opinion though, the op can feel free to do what he wants with his money.
My build has 9 fans in it, and I spent around $110 for the fans, some even used, but when you have a reliability record like Delta or Sans Ace, its worth it for me. I could never stomach $300+ for 9 fans (4 Industrials for the Radiator), when I know higher performing fans exist for less money.

 

[Barney6262]

Claming a MBTF longer then your company has existed- Priceless

You realise you can test a technology without being a registered company. Even if that isn't the case it is pretty easy to estimate a product life span, especially something so simple as a fan.

Id rather buy parts with a bit of a track record and not take guesses. My opinion though, the op can feel free to do what he wants with his money.
My build has 9 fans in it, and I spent around $110 for the fans, some even used, but when you have a reliability record like Delta or Sans Ace, its worth it for me. I could never stomach $300+ for 9 fans (4 Industrials for the Radiator), when I know higher performing fans exist for less money.

like i said, if the op can afford it then he should go with the Noctuas. There is a reason they are regarded as THE best fans you can buy in terms of performance to noise, guess why, because they probably are.

The Delta fans can go above 5k rpm but have the downside of extreme noise in comparison to the Noctuas
Just for an example : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSllkFWVhJI

 

[nick779]

Claming a MBTF longer then your company has existed- Priceless

You realise you can test a technology without being a registered company. Even if that isn't the case it is pretty easy to estimate a product life span, especially something so simple as a fan.

Id rather buy parts with a bit of a track record and not take guesses. My opinion though, the op can feel free to do what he wants with his money.
My build has 9 fans in it, and I spent around $110 for the fans, some even used, but when you have a reliability record like Delta or Sans Ace, its worth it for me. I could never stomach $300+ for 9 fans (4 Industrials for the Radiator), when I know higher performing fans exist for less money.

like i said, if the op can afford it then he should go with the Noctuas. There is a reason they are regarded as THE best fans you can buy in terms of performance, guess why, because they probably are.

The Delta fans can go above 5k rpm but have the downside of extreme noise in comparison to the Noctuas
Just for an example : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSllkFWVhJI

My fans are AFB1212M and AFB1212VH for 2300 and 3100rpm respectively.
All of my Deltas are controlled via voltage except for the cpu fans which are all on a PWM splitter. They idle around 800rpm and maintain positive case pressure consistently. They can idle as low as 700 for the non PWM and 400 for the PWM.

9 fans is what I choose to use to keep flow up and noise low along with having a ton of headroom for overclocking and benching sessions, so to say that I must not know what Im doing if I have 9 fans is being ignorant on your part, even if you removed that comment.

Noctua isnt regarded as the best and hasnt for a while in ANY enthusiast community.