Need help from a Fractal Design Node 202 Owner

[jmsellars1]

Hi guys,

I'm finally coming to upgrade my system and I want to downsize massively this time. I'm going for an i5-6600k based build in a Fractal Design Node 202 case. I am trying to think of ways to maximise cooling while keeping the system quiet. The way I'm doing that with the GPU is by taking the shroud and fans off the GPU itself and using 2 x Noctua NF-F12's on the case instead, they should just about fit in the case if the GPU has no shroud/fans.

For the CPU cooling though I need some help from someone that owns the case. I'll still take the fan off the cooler but I'm wondering whether I could mount a 140x140x25mm fan above the CPU cooler using rubber fan mounts like those included with Noctua fans.

- Do the CPU vents look like they're the right size for rubber fan mounts or are they too big/small?
- How big is the CPU vent? Will it fit a 140mm fan?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bigjimmy]

hi,
I am in the process of building a similar rig, as for your question:

1. I've seen other user install 2 NF-F12 without removing the fans from GPU (just remove the support bracket) and it should fit perfectly

2. The clearing above CPU is total of 56mm (some say 58-60 mm will still fit). You need to consider the height of the cooler itself, also 140mm looks like it will almost as big as the board itself..don't think it will fit with other component and cable installed..

 

[jmsellars1]

Hi, thanks for the help. I just went for it in the end and bought it. Here are my findings:

- A 140mm will fit, I tried a 120mm I had lying around and can tell a 140mm would be fine. However the cooling was better with the smaller 92x92x14mm fan bizarrely. Must be because it is attached directly to the cooler. So I'm going to get a 92x92x25mm fan and attach it directly to the cooler instead.

- Those two fans look like they would fit without removing the GPU shroud (depending on the GPU) but you would get horrible noise having fans that close together. I just removed the shroud and fans from the GPU and used the two 120mm's on the case. Cooling is great and it is quiet. Ramps up a bit under load but isn't too bad.

 

[bigjimmy]

Hi, thanks for the help. I just went for it in the end and bought it. Here are my findings:

- A 140mm will fit, I tried a 120mm I had lying around and can tell a 140mm would be fine. However the cooling was better with the smaller 92x92x14mm fan bizarrely. Must be because it is attached directly to the cooler. So I'm going to get a 92x92x25mm fan and attach it directly to the cooler instead.

- Those two fans look like they would fit without removing the GPU shroud (depending on the GPU) but you would get horrible noise having fans that close together. I just removed the shroud and fans from the GPU and used the two 120mm's on the case. Cooling is great and it is quiet. Ramps up a bit under load but isn't too bad.

thanks for your reply, I should be getting my parts by next week, going to try it out and see how it goes, definitely will share my results, thanks