Killr_Caboose_2014 :
Just realized the coolermaster fans are three pin but the mobo slots are 4 pin. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Tho the MoBo headers are 4 pin, they do are NOT capable of PWM control.
I am particularly looking for specifics on just how many fans I will truly need and how they should be orientated in the case.
Answered that above, but here in more detail:
1. From cooling standpoint, more always equals better
2. More slow rpm fans is better than less high rpm fans
3. Use 140mm fans where mountings allow for either 120 or 140mm mountings.
4. If you ask 100 people,m 99 will say positive case pressure is essential. In actuality, positive / negative pressure really doesn't mean beans. The only reason it's important is that unfiltered inlets let in dust which has a significant negative effect on cooling. Since case manufacturer's often provide dust filters, this is by far the easier method for dust prevention. It's a bit harder to buy filter material and custom cut / fit it to every grille opening, so having more cfm blowing in than out forces the extra air out the grilles rather than sucking air in through them.
5. Other than dust, another downside to negative case pressure can surface when you have a GFX card which blows lots of heat out of the case.....as it gets pushed out the back, if you have negative case pressure.it can get sucked right back in, especially if the rear of the case is against a wall or in a cabinet.
6. PWM fans ONLY work on the CPU headers of the MoBo.... you will not get a PWM signal out of a CHA or OPT header on a MoBo regardless of whether it has a 4 pin or 3 pin header and regardless of what the MoBoi Manual says. Some Asus boards say that they are PWM but Tech Support has confirmed that they are not and they have published this on their forums.
7. Movement of air within the case is as important as the amount going in and out, especially in a small case. Look at your temperature monitors to see if you need any spot cooling. For example I have found that a fan mounted on the back of the HD cage does wonders for SLI builds blowing air between the 1st and 2nd card and cutting down the heat from the bottom card being used as intake to the top card. If ya need spot cooling to keep say a bridge cool, look at the Antec "Spotcool".
8. You can combine multiple fans on a single MoBo header, but just make sure the total amperage doesn't exceed the header amp rating (almost always 1 amp) .... make sure to allow for inrush current. My rule of thumb is:
1800 rpm fans = 0.67 amps
1200 rpm fans = 0.83 amps
9. Use fan control via the BIOS or fan software that came with your MoBo. Asus FanXpert2 is a fine example. I am using it to control 2 water pumps and 15 variable voltage (VV) fans:
CPU_1 => Pump No. 1 (PWM)
CPU_2 => Pump No. 2 (PWM)
CHA_1 => Phanteks PCB_1 => (5) case fans (VV)
CHA_2 => Phanteks PCB_2 => (6) radiator fans on XT45-420 (VV)
CHA_3 => Phanteks PCB_3 => (4) radiator fans on UT60-280 (VV)
The PCBs take a PWM or VV signal and use it to control up to 11 fans. Swiftech also makes a PWM one and ModMyToys makes a bunch.... only the Phanteks does both VV and PWM
The FanXpert2 software controls pump speeds from 1500 - 4500 rpm and the fan speeds from 325 - 1240 rpm however, no matetr what gets thrown at it, they never exceed 850 rpm at such point they are completely inaudible.
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