Build Advice Taming Thermals and Noise: Optimizing My NR200P Build with an i5-13500 & RTX 3060 Ti

[zedtocricket]

Hello Friends,

I hope you’re doing well! I’d really appreciate your advice on improving my PC’s thermals and volume under load. Here’s my setup:

• Case: Cooler Master NR200P Micro-ATX
• CPU: Intel Core i5-13500
• CPU Cooler: CORSAIR iCUE H100i (240mm AIO)
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti

I’ve been experiencing loud fan volumes while gaming, and my GPU often reaches around 88°C. My original configuration had the AIO mounted at the bottom as an exhaust using two Corsair ML120 RGB PWM fans, a vertically mounted GPU, and one top-mounted Sickleflow fan set as intake (the case can accommodate two top fans, but the second won’t fit due to the PSU power cable).

Here are pictures for reference

https://imgur.com/a/julIbZ6

View: https://imgur.com/a/julIbZ6

https://imgur.com/a/xrllBOR

View: https://imgur.com/a/xrllBOR


I recently made the following changes after taking those pics

1. Switched the two bottom fans to intake, with the top fan as exhaust.
2. Replaced the tempered glass side panel with the ventilated panel.

Now, I’m hoping to further optimize both thermals and noise levels without moving the radiator to the side panel if possible. Here are my questions:

1. Fan Setup: Do you think changing the bottom fans to intake and using the top fan as exhaust was the right move?
2. Fan Upgrades: Would you recommend upgrading all fans to slimmer models? If so, which fans would be best?
3. Air Cooler Option: Should I consider switching to an air cooler instead? I might upgrade to a larger GPU later this year, so that’s another factor in the decision.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Full Disclosure: I posted this on Reddit and didn't get any replies, hoping someone here can help

 

[Hellfire13]

In chronological order...

1. That is the right order because hot air rises up. Whoever did your original config, well... not so sure about the guy.

2. I would recommend Noctua for better airflow...
PCPartPicker Part List

Case Fan: Noctua P12 redux-1700 PWM 70.75 CFM 120 mm Fan ($15.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $15.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-26 18:36 EDT-0400

3. For air cooler, as per your case dimension, this should be good...
PCPartPicker Part List

CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($37.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $37.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-26 18:42 EDT-0400



I would rather go to a bigger case for improving thermals.

 

[zedtocricket]

I would rather go to a bigger case for improving thermals.

Thanks a lot for the reply!

I will take your advice into consideration. I really like a Micro-ATX build for portability and my space.

Going to get 2 x Slim Artic P12 fans for the top - they seem to provide great value in terms of cost to performance/volume

 

[Hellfire13]

Arctic is good too. Since you have a white theme, these should be good with high CFM...

PCPartPicker Part List

Case Fan: ARCTIC P12 Max 81.04 CFM 120 mm Fan ($14.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $14.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-26 19:29 EDT-0400

 

[zedtocricket]

Arctic is good too. Since you have a white theme, these should be good with high CFM...

PCPartPicker Part List

Case Fan: ARCTIC P12 Max 81.04 CFM 120 mm Fan ($14.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $14.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-03-26 19:29 EDT-0400

Thanks - I actually only need one slim fan for the top, the other top fan can be a normal sized. I'm seeing a lot of opposing opinions online on the P12 vs P12 Max - any thoughts?

 

[Hellfire13]

Dont have personal experience but, the max has higher CFM so I would go for the max.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The MAX branded Arctic fans are very good.

 

[Phaaze88]

I'm seeing a lot of opposing opinions online on the P12 vs P12 Max - any thoughts?

Assuming the motor and bearing are identical, the P12 Max is a waste if one seldom runs a regular P12 near, or at its maximum rpm.
But~, since the pricing looks to be about the same, I guess it doesn't matter, and to get the P12 Max anyway.

 

[geofelt]

Noise comes from fans running at high rpm.

The I5-13500 is a 65w tdp processor that does not need aggressive cooling.
Noctua maintains a list of suitable coolers for various processors.
Here is the list for the i5-13500:
https://ncc.noctua.at/cpus/model/INTEL-Core-i5-13500-1655

The supplied cooler will do the job.
While the fan is small and turns up to high rpm's, it is exceptionally quiet. 3.9 BA
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...rs/intel-core-processors.html#primary-content
On ebay, you can also buy a RH1 cooler that is stock for the i9-14900 that is even quieter.
It is a beautiful piece of kit:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000089189/processors.html#primary-content
2.6BA

An air cooler gets rid of the two cooling fans on the aio cooler.
Two good fan intakes on the bottom will supply plenty of cooling air for your graphics card and the cpu.
The cooling air that comes in the bottom will exit the case somewhere, taking component hea with it.

Since you now have the parts, it is worth an experiment.