Question 140mm CPU Air Cooler Recommendations

[Tech Junky]

You can get fan clips on their own or get creative with zip ties. Sandwich the fans on either side and secure them however you can. It's easier with proper clips and looks more refined but funtionality is more important here. Arctic I've been using for years and also don't die. Just pick a cooler that works well with the CPU you want to use. If you want to spend $100 then do it.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Here's one for you. When I build a new system, I always end up using air-cooling and heatpipes, so I try and pressurize the case and force all the air through the CPU cooler (with an exception of a second exhaust in some instances, but that's another topic).

I buy a selection of fans just to try them, and put back the surplus in a parts-locker .

Last year, I was planning to build another system from spare parts -- identical in most ways to the one I have, but an improvement. I had to set the work in progress aside, in an initial stage.

So I picked up my project this year. I was stunned that I had actually bought - and installed -- a Delta 5,000 rpm PWM 120mm fan for the exhaust, sitting behind the cooler in ThermalRight's patent accordion duct. Somehow, I'd also picked up a Noctua 120mm iPPC 3000. I swapped the Noctua for the Delta today in the case.

I don't know what possessed me to put that Delta in there. It draws 1.46 Amps, well over the limit that most motherboard fan-ports are spec'd for.

I try to get as much airflow as I can, and direct it. But even with the iPPC fans, my machines are quiet. I'm not so sure the Delta could be tamed to lower decibels.

 

[Mantrid-Drone]

Just an update on the fan mounting configuration on the Noctua NF-15S I've had replies to my enquiries on this matter and they recommend against using the second fan as a 'pull' on the back of the second heatsink because it 'may cause additional noise'.

Hmmm, not convinced about that as mounting three fans (front, centre and back) whilst not recommended practice is addressed as being possible. It is stated as being no more effective at reducing the temperatures than just two fans but it is not proscribed.

There are YT videos showing just such cooler fan set ups without any reported or obvious noise problems.

Two things I want to add here is that Noctua customer support is some of the best I've ever experienced. Quick replies to my two enquiries and despite an unequivocal offer from me to pay for three additional sets of fan clips plus shipping to the UK they've already sent them free of charge.

That is the way to do it.

 

[bigboxes]

Just an update on the fan mounting configuration on the Noctua NF-15S I've had replies to my enquiries on this matter and they recommend against using the second fan as a 'pull' on the back of the second heatsink because it 'may cause additional noise'.

Hmmm, not convinced about that as mounting three fans (front, centre and back) whilst not recommended practice is addressed as being possible. It is stated as being no more effective at reducing the temperatures than just two fans but it is not proscribed.

There are YT videos showing just such cooler fan set ups without any reported or obvious noise problems.

Two things I want to add here is that Noctua customer support is some of the best I've ever experienced. Quick replies to my two enquiries and despite an unequivocal offer from me to pay for three additional sets of fan clips plus shipping to the UK they've already sent them free of charge.

That is the way to do it.

I have both in a push config. One for each tower. They are pretty massive and are right next to the 140mm exhaust fan. I have shared this video before. It's not under load, but the thing is dead quiet.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I don't know what possessed me to put that Delta in there. It draws 1.46 Amps, well over the limit that most motherboard fan-ports are spec'd for.

Hmm, I was going comment on, maybe using higher-than-spec fans was what burned out your USB ports, and not static discharge on the ports.

Then I realized, USB is running off of the +5V (or +5Vsb), and the fans are generally +12V, but running off of a PWM fan-controller chip.