Would I benefit from adding a top case fan?

[StealthNinja]

Hello again,

I have a P400 eclipse case by Phanteks. I have a 280mm aio in the front with two fans and a fan in the back for exhaust. I am using xmp and an automatic overclock that I turned on in the bios. My normal temps are around 26c, and I was just wondering if installing some case fans at the top would make any difference in my temps? The top is ventilated so I'm thinking that you can install at least two fans up there

If it won't make a difference then I might still install them for aesthetic reasons. Anyway I'll wait for some of your guys' input.

 

[Dronzer Dragneel]

In case of Ideal temps (26C) I don't think it would make any difference. but in load temps might change(lower) only if your back exhaust is not enough. if it is doing its job well then you won't see major difference.

 

[Colif]

Would they be exhaust or intakes? If you have too much exhaust you create negative pressure and dust will get sucked in all the gaps in PC that aren't filtered.
Of the 2 choices, it would be better to add an intake as they can be filtered and then if you have more air flowing in than can stay in the case, it acts as a free exhaust as it blows all the air out the unfiltered spots - which is what you want. Only downside is it might just create turbulence and maybe raise temps as heat can't escape.

26C isn't very hot for idle temps, it really depends on the temps under load as to whether I would bother adding extra fans. I doubt you need two either way.

 

[StealthNinja]

Would they be exhaust or intakes? If you have too much exhaust you create negative pressure and dust will get sucked in all the gaps in PC that aren't filtered.
Of the 2 choices, it would be better to add an intake as they can be filtered and then if you have more air flowing in than can stay in the case, it acts as a free exhaust as it blows all the air out the unfiltered spots - which is what you want. Only downside is it might just create turbulence and maybe raise temps as heat can't escape.

26C isn't very hot for idle temps, it really depends on the temps under load as to whether I would bother adding extra fans. I doubt you need two either way.

I thought since I have two intake fans in the front and only one exhaust rear fan, the top fan or fans should be exhaust. I have a filter at the top of the case

 

[Colif]

Filters only help on intakes as they stop dust getting into system, the exhaust is already blowing air out, filters on them only hinder the flow. You don't want to stop dust from escaping, just getting in

you don't really want neutral pressure, if you have an even amount in and out there is no real push to expel the air and PC just heats up. IT can work but its tricky.

 

[StealthNinja]

Filters only help on intakes as they stop dust getting into system, the exhaust is already blowing air out, filters on them only hinder the flow. You don't want to stop dust from escaping, just getting in

you don't really want neutral pressure, if you have an even amount in and out there is no real push to expel the air and PC just heats up. IT can work but its tricky.

I have two empty chassis fan headers and I want to use up at least one. What do you suggest?

 

[Colif]

Is the 2nd intake fan on front at top or bottom of case? looking at shots on phantek site shows me fan is in middle of front

If intake is at top, I would probably plug in the fan that isn't directly blowing onto CPU but is towards back. I think if you blew direct onto CPU it might disturb other air flow coming from front of case
If front intake is at bottom, you could probably have top intake directly blow onto CPU as it won't be hindering the other intake that is at bottom front
Put in 2 fans if you want to use the space in top of case. I would only attach one as intake and see how it goes, you might find you need the other one or not.

 

[StealthNinja]

Is the 2nd intake fan on front at top or bottom of case? looking at shots on phantek site shows me fan is in middle of front

If intake is at top, I would probably plug in the fan that isn't directly blowing onto CPU but is towards back. I think if you blew direct onto CPU it might disturb other air flow coming from front of case
If front intake is at bottom, you could probably have top intake directly blow onto CPU as it won't be hindering the other intake that is at bottom front
Put in 2 fans if you want to use the space in top of case. I would only attach one as intake and see how it goes, you might find you need the other one or not.

I took out the original case fans. My cpu is being cooled by a liquid cooler. The two fans of the radiator are in the front doing intake. I think I will only install one at the top. I don't want my pc becoming too noisy

 

[Colif]

are fans in push or pull? If they blowing heat through radiator into case, when you under load it will be pushing hot air into PC? I would perhaps have the intake above the CPU then as it will help more when you under load.

I don't have water cooling, case isn't really designed for it. 3 intakes, one exhaust is enough to keep PC cool provided I keep it clean.

 

[Colif]

My brain tells me it would better to have rad above CPU whit both fans exhausting through it to blow hot air out the top, and have 2 intakes at front blowing cool air in to feed the radiator/GPU

 

[StealthNinja]

My brain tells me it would better to have rad above CPU whit both fans exhausting through it to blow hot air out the top, and have 2 intakes at front blowing cool air in to feed the radiator/GPU

The fans are not pushing air through the radiator, I have it in pull. I can't install the rad at the top, my case won't allow it. I would if I could but I can't.

 

[Colif]

okay, np. was just a thought

if rad at bottom of front, put intake above CPU, if its at top of front, put the intake towards rear. otherwise front fans will conflict with intake and might reduce their effectiveness.

 

[StealthNinja]

okay, np. was just a thought

if rad at bottom of front, put intake above CPU, if its at top of front, put the intake towards rear. otherwise front fans will conflict with intake and might reduce their effectiveness.

I was just thinking I would try two fans at the top one doing intake and the other doing exhaust.

 

[Colif]

wouldn't the exhaust just suck in all the air you just took in? I thought of that already, unless they a distance apart.

I guess you don't have enough space on front of case above radiator to put another fan? then an exhaust on roof makes sense.

 

[StealthNinja]

wouldn't the exhaust just suck in all the air you just took in? I thought of that already, unless they a distance apart.

I guess you don't have enough space on front of case above radiator to put another fan? then an exhaust on roof makes sense.

The only room for a fan is at the top.