Planning to upgrade ITX case fans for better cooling. Should I go for Noctua IPPC, Be Quiet! Wings or a combination of both??

[Bzr12WABeerd]

The hot California weather, the usual Intel stock cooler and the three intake case fans from Corsair (two default 120mm, 140mm on the 250d and an extra 120mm) are no longer ideal for constant Handbrake encoding. At idle, it's averaging at 42-44 degrees but at load when conducting video encoding for many hours, it's gone around 81-88 degrees.

Rig: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Hps6wV

To that end, I bought a Cryorig C7 low-profile cooler. Now comes the 2nd phase: the replacements for the intake Corsair fans.

Plan A: 1X Noctua IPPC NF-A14, 2X Noctua IPPC NF-F12, both 2000rpm and with PWM.

Plan B: Be Quiet! ShadowWings 3, 1X 140mm high speed 1600rpm, 2X 120mm 1450rpm, both also with PWM.

Plan C: 1X Noctua IPPC NF-A14 2000rpm with PWM and 2X Be Quiet! Purewings 120mm 1500rpm with PWM.

I'll start buying this weekend. Help and thanks!!

 

[JackNaylorPE]

As to what fans to put on ya cooler, be aware that when ya take the Noctua AF fans off a Noctua Cooler and put on Phanteks fans, temps drop by 6C at the same rpm.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenteks_f140/3.htm

That's pretty incredible but if ya want more cooling and less noise, there's also a 1500 rpm model. I would not dare go any faster unless you want to sit next to what sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

Here's the top 10 performing fans according to http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1345-page7.html

Phanteks PH-F140HP/TS
Noctua NF-A14 FLX
Noctua NF-A15 PWM
Noiseblocker B12-2
Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120-12
Noiseblocker M12-S1
Corsair AF120 Quiet
Corsair AF120 Performance
Thermalright TR-TY150

The Silent Wings 2 came in 17th place but the 3's would finish somewhere between 2 and 5

Since ya appear to be diggin on the PWM, Hi SP, higher rpm fans, these would be your options if ya want the top dog

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709036
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V56E4201

Personally, we use 3-Pin DCV case fans (never higher than 1250 rpm) using the Phanteks Fan Hub which takes a PWM signal and controls up to 11 DCV fans. Has all of the advantages of PWM w/ none of the disadvantages (cost, low speed hum / clicking)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAE3060P0642
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709023
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709032

If ya don't go w/ the Phanteks, I'd use the Silent Wings 3

 

[geofelt]

I expect idle temperatures to be 10-15c over ambient if the cooler is mounted well and functioning.

The stock intel cooler can be notoriously hard to mount properly.

The cryorig should be better, but downdraft coolers are not that efficient.
With only 95mm available, that is about as good as you can do.

For good cooling concentrate on getting good intake airflow from the front fan.
All that comes in will exit somewhere, taking heat with it.

Using a good 140mm front fan should do the job.
2000rpm will be a bit noisy.

Reading the case specs, it indicates that a 200mm fan mount is possible.
Look into that. A 200mm fan can push more air at lower (and quieter) rpm.

You probably do not need any rear fans.

 

[Bzr12WABeerd]

As to what fans to put on ya cooler, be aware that when ya take the Noctua AF fans off a Noctua Cooler and put on Phanteks fans, temps drop by 6C at the same rpm.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenteks_f140/3.htm

If ya don't go w/ the Phanteks, I'd use the Silent Wings 3

That f140 seems alright. I'll consider it.

I expect idle temperatures to be 10-15c over ambient if the cooler is mounted well and functioning.

The cryorig should be better, but downdraft coolers are not that efficient. With only 95mm available, that is about as good as you can do.

According to Vortez's review of the Corsair 250D, CPU coolers up to 140mm can be fitted in with the exception to detach the drive bay (which I am using) and people with 250D's on PCPartPicker have been able to fit in the likes of the Cryorig M9I or Be Quiet!'s Pure Rock Slim on them.

For good cooling concentrate on getting good intake airflow from the front fan. All that comes in will exit somewhere, taking heat with it. Using a good 140mm front fan should do the job. 2000rpm will be a bit noisy.

Noted. Will not touch the ippc fans. Seems Plan B (perhaps the phanteks 140mm in place of the SilentWings 3 140mm) may be the way to go.

You probably do not need any rear fans.

I do need those 80mm fans. They're for exhaust.