Need Help with 120mm Case Fans

Killamang

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Aug 10, 2014
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Hello,

I am looking to get more 120mm case fans for my build. Right now I only have the exhaust fan in the back of the computer. My current case is the Thermaltake Chaser A21 mid-tower chassis. It has the option for 2 120mm exhaust on top, 1 120mm intake on bottom, 1 120mm intake in front, and 1 120mm intake on the side. So my question is, if I were to only buy 2 more 120mm case fans, where would I benefit most from putting them? I have no room on the bottom of the case so that location is out of the question. Also my CPU cooler is DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX 400 CPU Cooler.

As for the fans I am looking at Corsair Air Series AF120 LED Quiet Edition High. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Well there is little benefit in only keeping fans at the top of your case. You effectively just want intake at the bottom and front region of your case, and exhaust at the top back region. This image demonstrates fairly well how you should position your fans:
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/attachments/upload_2016-1-18_13-56-17-png.71169/

You can also add exhaust fans on side panels to extract heat from the CPU.
Equally you want to TRY and keep balanced air flow, so that means an equal amount of intake to outtake, otherwise you risk getting negative or positive air flow, which is not catastrophic, but not ideal.
 


So if I were to buy 2 120mm fans, you think having an intake in the front and an exhaust on top would be best? Also if I were to put just 1 on top would it be better to have it in the top middle or the top back. Also were the fans I linked good case fans? Thanks
 
Yes they are solid fans. I've used them previously and never had a problem with them.

If you're already have an intake at the lower front, and exhaust at the upper back, you'd likely be better having another top one more centralised.
Personally I would try for another intake instead at the front, or a side panel fan. Otherwise you end up sucking out both the hot and cool air. But that's just my preference.
 


I currently do not have an intake, and the only exhaust I have is in the back.
 
Get yourself a corsair ML120 fan to use it as intake in the front, because static pressure fans are better as exhausts...get two corsair AF120's, use one as exhaust at the top and one as intake on the side... This setup will help have a positive air pressure setup in your pc cabinet...
 


So you think that having 1 intake in the front, 1 intake on the side, and 1 exhaust in the back would be best? Also for the exhaust on top, do you think top middle or top back would be better. Thanks
 
To be fair I think Static pressure or high air flow totally depends on the case and the manner in which it's been configured.

General rule of thumb I tend to see is people using SP as intake to force higher pressure air through grills and around low stored storage drives. In my experience SP make very little difference f there's no dense congregation of parts or blockages to get past.

Realistically, if there are no blockages, severe constrictions, bulky gear, or if you're pulling air over a radiator, I wouldn't see the need for static pressure over high air flow. IMO the AF120 will do just fine if it's not an obstructive set-up. But I'm open to be corrected.
 

the top back as exhaust... yes i think this will be good... If you have the budget for 4 ML120's then i will suggest you to replace all fans with the corsair ML120's as they are well balanced in terms of static pressure as well as air flow...
 


Is this ML120 pro the same as the 2 pack option? Also I don't know if I am really willing to spend that much money.
 
Also I forgot to mention, the reason I want to add more cooling is because I have a gtx 1080 and when playing games like PUBG, Witcher 3, and Overwatch on ultra settings, my GPU temps are around mid to high 70°s with the max hitting as high as 82°C. Will adding more intake and exhaust help lower my GPU temps? Thanks
 
Then just leave the ml120 out. You look for a good static pressure cum airflow balanced fan for intake at the front. You can look at a few fans like the deepcool tuf120 gamerstorm, cooler master sickleflow 120mm fan (these are pretty cheap). Many may disagree with sickleflow fans, but i personally use it. All the fans i recommend are based on my personal usage. There are a lot of other fans too, just get the one within your budget that fits your purpose. But i would advice against using the corsair af120 for the front intake, they are ok for side and top.
And yes just adding the front intake and top back exhaust will lower your temps a lot. The current setting you have is too poor, this setup will also lead to a lot of dust accumulation in your case. You need to have at least one intake to maintain air circulation and a positive settings within your case.
 


So for the front intake fan I am thinking of getting either the Noctua NF-F12 or the Corsair ML120 Pro. Which of these do you think is better? As for the side intake and top exhaust I am still undecided. Thanks
 


Noctua NF-F12 ippc 3000 fan is louder and noisier than the corsair ML120, both perform very good; My suggestion will be the one which you get the cheaper of the two. For the side and top, you can get the cooler master sickleflow, or the corsair AF120 performance edition, dont go for the quiet edition unless you are paranoid of loud systems.You can also look at fans from bitfenix, scythe but personally i haven't use these fans , so cant comment on them.
 


So it turns out that I do already have a front intake, I don't know why I thought I didn't. Anyways do you still think it would be worth adding a side intake and top exhaust and would that lower my GPU temperature?
 
Do one thing add either an exhaust on the top back or an exhaust on the side... Though, exhaust on the side will lower your gpu temps... And i can guarantee you the front intake stock fans aren't making much of a difference, a company wouldn't bundle premium fans with a cabinet, that reduces their profit...
 


So I think what I am going to do is replace my current fans as well. I am thinking I will get 1 ML120 Pro for the front intake, 2 Cooler Master Sickleflows for the rear exhaust and the top back exhaust, and for the side fan, would a Cooler Master Sickleflow for exhaust or intake be better on the side? Also I looked inside and it looks like there isn't much blockage in the front of the case, would the ML120 Pro still be a good option for front intake?