OC Cooling Options with a NZXT H440

[raxor30]

I am looking into a mid-tower NZXT H440, is that an ok case for airflow/overclocking? I currently have a NZXT Phantom full tower, with 2 x 200mm fans for the top (exhaust), 1 x 200mm fan & 2 x 120 mm fans on the side of the case for intake, a front 140mm intake fan, and a 1 x 120mm fan for rear exhaust. My temps are 75 C for CPU (STOCK FAN which I'm upgrading to artic cooler rev 2) and my temp for my msi gtx 970 4G is 65 C max (running in MSI's app of "OC mode".

Now there is a NZXT H440 Case I was looking at and am thinking about purchasing. It can fit 3 x 120mm fans in front OR 2 x 140mm fans. Top fans are 120 mm x 3 OR 140mm x 2, rear is 1 x 140mm. Obviously intake is going to be front, and exhaust is going to be top and rear.

Should I stick with the 140mm options or go with the 120mm options and if so what fans would you recommend. I'm going to overclock everything and want to keep it cool, and not water cool.

Should I get a NZXT Phantom 530 instead, which is a bigger case with bigger fan capability....

What are your thoughts? This is my first build that I'm overclocking, its not going to be an extreme overclock just a beginners overclock....Please help me out here

 

[JimF_35]

I have always said any case will do but then again I am a case moder so there is that. As for the 140 vs 120 I always like 140mm fans because they are so quiet compared to 120mm. As for larger cases they are easier to work on and support more radiators but that is it. A well ventilated midtower can be just as good as a fulltower. I like midtowers my self because they take up less desk space but some people prefer the large ones because they have lots of room to work with.

I would just stick with the NZXT H440 but that is just personal preference. Personally I like Corsair cases the best but like I said any case will do for me except for the Diablo Cyclops. It was the worst case I had ever worked with. I usually look for the following in a case:

- 140mm Fan Support.
- Noise dampening.
- A 25mm plus gap behind the motherboard tray.
- A Large cutout for the CPU back plate.
- EATX motherboard support (depending on if I am going for a compact or not)
- Magnetic Fan Filters.
- And I love Windows because I water cool but they are bad for noise dampening.

I hope this helps.