Where to place case fans for GPU cooling?

[Lainier]

Hi, my GTX 970 runs at 78 °C at full load and I want to use two case fans to lower the temperature. My case already has one front fan (intake) and one rear fan (exhaust), and it has room for a top fan, two side fans and an additional front fan. Where should I place the two extra fans? I was thinking of the following options:

1 - One on the front and one on the side. Both intake.
2 - One on the front (intake) and one on the top (exhaust).
3 - One on the side (intake) and one on the top (exhaust).
4 - Both on the side (intake).

Also, the PSU is at the bottom, and the CPU cooler is so close to the top that I'm not sure if I could place a fan there without removing the CPU cooler first, and frankly, I don't want to do that. So, if you think that one fan should be at the top, I need the second best solution, just in case.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bmw-vision]

Hi,
Your case sounds similar to mine, so I can point out what works for me, although I have a 750ti, so it doesn't get quite as hot.

I have a bottom side fan installed as output. This draws heat away from the graphics card. Besides drawing heat from the card, it should also help with processor temperatures. Be careful to avoid wires getting into the fan. A grille or mesh on the inside of the fan should stop this if it could be an issue.
Putting an exhaust fan on the top would be good to help draw more heat from the system, but sounds like it could be an issue. Is the CPU cooler a standard type pushing heat straight out from it, or towards the back fan?

 

[Gam3r01]

Add in a second front intake without a doubt, that would increase the cool air for the whole system.
You should also look into adding in another exhaust, as it helps remove hot air from the system.

Side fans can be good and bad. In situations where cards actually vent the heat they produce (reference cards) they work well. However, when using aftermarket cards they vent the heat towards the top and sides of the cards, adding in a side intake fan would simply blow this hot air around, mix it with cool air, and send it back into the card and the rest of the case. If you make it a side exhaust, it will vent air from that location, and limit cooler air from the rest of the system.

 

[Lainier]

My CPU cooler is a Scythe Katana 4 with the fan facing the RAM modules. I hope that's fine because I want to place the exhaust fan at the top. I think placing a second intake fan at the front as Gam3r01 suggested is a good idea: my CPU runs at fine temperatures but less heat is always better and I wonder if that would allow be to improve the overclock.

 

[Lainier]

I've placed the fans and now my GPU runs at 75 °C at full load with an ambient temperature of 26 °C. My room was colder in the previous test, less than 24 °C. Thanks to you all!