Cooling discussion on my new build

[Kaido]

I'm getting ready to order parts for my next computer, but I haven't quite nailed down the cooling. I'll be using an Antec SLK3000-B (similar to a Sonata). The main guts are an Opteron 165, 2gb ram, a 7900gt, and a Raptor 150.

Originally I was going to go with 2 x 120mm fans, one for the front and one for the rear. This way the case would get plenty of cooling and the Raptor would get some nice airflow. Then I found the Nexus Drive-A-Way, a fanless 5.25" enclosure rated for up to 15K-rpm drives:

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=driveaway_blue

A bit pricey but after researching it, it seems to be an excellent product that really cuts down on the noise as well as acts as a mild heatsink. The question is, should I still get a fan for the front of the case? Or should I just stick with stock cooling in the rear?

 

[SparkyJJO]

The fan in the front mostly just takes care of the HD, so if you use the Nexus, you could safely leave the front fan out. The rear fans will exhaust the heat, and because they blow out, air will still flow in the front of the case.

 

[InlineFour]

the antec slk3000b provides on of the best airflows out there. don't bother with spending $60 for a hdd cooler.

btw, the case already comes with one 120mm exhaust fan, which is pretty good, so you'll only need to buy one more 120mm for intake.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
the antec slk3000b provides on of the best airflows out there. don't bother with spending $60 for a hdd cooler.

btw, the case already comes with one 120mm exhaust fan, which is pretty good, so you'll only need to buy one more 120mm for intake.

It's not so much a hard drive cooler as it is a muffler. I'm trying to make a fairly quiet (not silent) machine, since I'm upgrading from a laptop. Same with the case fans, just trying to find some high-CFM low-dBA stuff.

 

[dBTelos]

Get a Yate Loon 120mm and stick it in the front intake, then put the raptor in the 3.5inch drive bay in front of it (or closest as it gets) and you should be fine.

http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SL-12-pr-3009.html
Jab-tech :: Case fans and accessories :: Case Fans :: 120mm Fans :: YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SL-12

Edit: just saw your above post, if you want quiet and fast then yate loon is the way to go. Also getting a fan controller helps lots!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Get a Yate Loon 120mm and stick it in the front intake, then put the raptor in the 3.5inch drive bay in front of it (or closest as it gets) and you should be fine.

http://www.jab-tech.com/YATE-LOON-120mm-Case-Fan-D12SL-12-pr-3009.html
Jab-tech :: Case fans and accessories :: Case Fans :: 120mm Fans :: YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SL-12

Edit: just saw your above post, if you want quiet and fast then yate loon is the way to go. Also getting a fan controller helps lots!

Yup going with a Vantec 3.5" bay fan controller from Newegg. Also, the Nexus fans are 22.8 dBA while the Yates are 28