Replacing fans in NZXT H440 case - opinions?

[haroldj97]

When I built my new desktop earlier this year, i7 7700k (OC to 4.8GHz), Asus Z270-F, 16GB RAM and a EVGA 1080 SC, I stuck a random array of fans in my NZXT H440 case to try and help it cool. Although it worked out fairly well, a couple are now starting to rattle. I am planning on replacing allfans in the case with some Noctua NF-F12 120mm PWM Chromax (3 on the top and 3 on the front, already have a Noctua one on the rear for exhaust), don't particularly like the colour of the normal NF-F12. Are these fans worth the money or are there better ones out there? Would preferably like a quiet fan

I was wondering if it would be worth while investing in a fan controller since I am planning on having 7 fans in the case? Was looking at potentially a NZXT Grid V3 since the H440 doesn't have a DVD drive bay. The fan hub in the case now doesn't really offer much in the way of customisation in fan speeds.

Also been having a slight issue with the CPU fan. I am using a be Quiet Dark Rock 3 cooler and although it helps to keep the CPU cool, when I load an intensive app, a game for example, the temperature will spike about + 20/25 degrees for 1 or 2 seconds resulting in the CPU fan running at 100%. Although only a slight inconvenience, the fan is quite load at 100% and can get annoying when the CPU random spikes every 10 minutes or so. I was wondering if there is a way to run the CPU fan at 70-80% constantly since at this speed (altered in the BIOS to find out) the fan is fairly quiet and keeps temps down. Asus fan control software only allows you to run the fan at 80% up until 75 degrees,at which point it must be ran at 100%, which the random spikes make the temperature go past that?

 

[geofelt]

1. Make certain your cooler is mounted well.
You should see about 10-15c. over ambient at idle.
Any cooler needs a source of fresh air to do its job.
The cooler needs to be screwed down level and not too much paste.
A small rice sized drop will spread under heat and pressure.
Too much paste acts as an insulator.
It is hard to use too little.

2. Concentrate your cooling efforts on intake.
140mm fans are better at pushing more air at lower rpm which will be quieter.
If anything, replace the front intakes with two 140mm intakes. They can be filtered.
Do not worry about exhaust. Anything that comes in the front will exit SOMEWHERE, taking heat with it.
At most a single rear 120mm fan is all you need.

If you have more exhaust, it will draw in unfiltered air from adjacent openings.
That ruins the filtering action of the front intakes.

 

[haroldj97]

1. Make certain your cooler is mounted well.
You should see about 10-15c. over ambient at idle.
Any cooler needs a source of fresh air to do its job.
The cooler needs to be screwed down level and not too much paste.
A small rice sized drop will spread under heat and pressure.
Too much paste acts as an insulator.
It is hard to use too little.

2. Concentrate your cooling efforts on intake.
140mm fans are better at pushing more air at lower rpm which will be quieter.
If anything, replace the front intakes with two 140mm intakes. They can be filtered.
Do not worry about exhaust. Anything that comes in the front will exit SOMEWHERE, taking heat with it.
At most a single rear 120mm fan is all you need.

If you have more exhaust, it will draw in unfiltered air from adjacent openings.
That ruins the filtering action of the front intakes.

Think I might look into re-seating the cooler and getting some decent thermal paste. I bought the motherboard, CPU, CPU cooler and RAM pre-assembled from Scan since it was considerably cheaper than buying it individually. At idle the CPU sits at 38 to 40 degrees.

Would you recommended getting 4 140mm fans, two on the top and two on the front as intake and which ones would be best?. The H440 is fairly restrictive in terms of air flow due to the sound padding. Is it best to just carry on using the case's hub and control the fans in the BIOS?

 

[BinaryData]

Honestly,

Noctua is the best fan maker right now. I use them in my desktop storage arrays, and I can't hear them at all. I have 2 H440 cases with 10x 6TB, and each case is running 3x 120mm in the front, 3x 120mm on the top, and i believe the one in the back is a 140mm or higher. My refrigerator is louder than my servers.

So yes, Noctua is worth it. If you're wanting RGB, I'd have to suggest the CoolerMaster SickleFlow's, I've got 3 of those running in my gaming machine (i7-7700K) and my case temps are insanely good. Also, if your heatsink isn't raised off the CPU, I'd look at getting another one. I saw a massive difference when I switched to the EVO 212. I have dual 120mm fans. I personally would do a WC'ing system if you're going to keep that at 4.8Ghz.