140mm vs 120mm and PSU Question

[lilvaratep]

Nice sale going on at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...35103022-L017A
And I was wondering if I should get 2 packs of these for 4x120mm to fit in my nzxt phantom 410 case or if I should get 1 pack of it and get 2x140mm? What's the difference between 120mm and 140mm other than sound?

Should I go for the 2 packs of this nice sale? Is there a large difference in cooling between 120mm and 140mm?


Also, I have a question about my PSU. Should the fan be facing inside or outside my case? I currently have 1 intake at the front and 1 exhaust top and 1 exhaust back as well as the PSU facing downwards. My msi tf3 7950 currently reaches around 80degrees after an hour or two of diablo3. Wanting to cool it down some more to 70c if possible.

 

[lehtv]

What's the difference between 120mm and 140mm other than sound?

Airflow. Bigger fins move more air. The noise characteristic of a bigger fan is also a bit lower in tone which tends to be easier to listen to at the same dBa as the noise characteristic of a smaller fan. I would recommend getting the biggest fan you can fit in any particular fan slot.

I don't think additional fans will cool your 7950 to 70C, but you may be able to get a few degrees of improvement, especially if there's a side panel slot next to the graphics card that you can use.

Those cooler masters have very short cables, you'll need to make sure you have some way of getting power to them since they don't come with any sort of extenders or adapters.

Also, I have a question about my PSU. Should the fan be facing inside or outside my case?

I would keep the fan facing down, taking air in from below. It's just to make sure that air isn't pulled out in multiple directions. That can make components "suffocate" i.e. the cool intake air never actually flows over the component

 

[Ketchup]

With bottom-mount cases, I have gotten the best results with the intake PSU fan on the bottom. Having the fan on top will pull heat the opposite direction it naturally goes, and you may end up with some hot spots.

For the video card, I have had the best results having air blown onto the card from the side panel.

As far as 120 and 140, I haven't noticed a huge difference myself, but I know there are forum members that have had more experience with those.

 

[dma0991]

I've never actually bought CM fans. Most are given free or it came with the case that I bought. With regards to noise vs CFM/static pressure, they're usually at the bottom of my list when it comes to choosing fans. I'd rather buy this despite the fact that they cost $7 more per pair.