Question Corsair 780T Case Cooling Question

[Sam25]

Hello,

I'm currently setting up my Ryzen 5600x based rig inside my Corsair 780T full tower case and wanted some input regarding the fan layout of the case. I'll be using a Deepcool AK620 CPU Cooler in the case and this is what I have planned as the case fan layout:

Front: 2 x 120mm (Intake)
Bottom: 1 X 120mm (Intake)
Top: 3 x 120mm (Exhaust)
Rear: 1 x 120mm (Intake)
Deepcool AK620: 120mm x 2 (Set as Push-Pull configuration)

Diagram (Case can take both 120mm and 140mm fans):



Now my question is should I install 3 x 120mm fans on top or should I go with 2 x 120mm fans instead?

Also, is it going to be better if I fit 2 X 140mm fans in the front compared to dual 120mm fans?

 

[Paperdoc]

All looks OK to me except for one item. As you sketch above, there is an air flow capacity imbalance towards more exhaust than intake - a so-called "negative pressure" setup. Personally I prefer a small positive pressure (more intake than exhaust capacity). You can achieve that by switching to a pair of 140 mm intakes on the front. In fact, the web page for that case suggests it comes with 140's in front by default.

 

[Tech Junky]

Depends on how quiet you want things to be. Using 140s will be quieter as they move as much air but st a slower speed.

I have a different case but essentially the same layout with 3 front / 3 top / 2 CPU and exhaust.

Hopefully the bottom fan is filtered or you'll be cleaning the guts more often.

 

[aigomorla]

Switch the Corsair AF120 with the Nidacs.
The Nidacs were designed for restrictions, and will serve a much better fan though obstacles as they have the top static pressure.

I would get Noctua's instead of Corsair fans also, especially for the top ones.
Fan's die exponentially faster when in the horizontal position.
Noctua's IMO seem to last longer then most fans when put in that position.

So Nidacs => best fans when you have restrictions, like a heatsink / radiator / a bunch of hard drives.
Noctua's => best for quiet, or when in horizontal layout.

Top mention:
I really like Artic Cooling P series.

https://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-ACFAN00137A-Value-Pack-Pressure-Optimized/dp/B07HC782D5/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=arctic+cooling+p&qid=1688255327&sr=8-18

These can easily be swapped out for expensive noctua's, although they may only have about 80% the life value of a noctua, but easily cost half a noctua.

 

[Tech Junky]

Artic

I was going to counter the noctua as over priced until you added this.

I've been using the PWM PST P120/140 fans for years now on a couple of systems and have yet to have one die. When you get the 5 pack option the price can't be beat.

I think though anyone that's built a system though has been suckered into the noctua hype. They're nice but, nothing special when it comes to moving air. The only difference is that they're overbuilt with bumpers on the corners for reduction of vibrations and sleeved cabling.

 

[aigomorla]

I think though anyone that's built a system though has been suckered into the noctua hype. They're nice but, nothing special when it comes to moving air. The only difference is that they're overbuilt with bumpers on the corners for reduction of vibrations and sleeved cabling.

They have very good bearings that gives them a extended life when in the horizontal position.
Also they have warranty which actually gets honored should the fan die within the warrenty period if its mounted horizontal.

I agree with you on them being overpriced, but if its a build for someone who does not know how to swap out a dead fan, they are worth every dollar, as they will under most occasion outlast the build.

 

[Tech Junky]

does not know how to swap out a dead fan

Then how did they build it?

As for warranty arctic holds up in that regard as well. I did manage to get a hairline crack on a fin when playing with the fan while powered on and it started making noise. Shot them an email and within the same week had a replacement no questions asked.

I don't really think the position of the axis makes that big of a difference. I suppose one could make the argument that horizontal placement could increase the failure potential of the seal breaks and you leak oil from the bering. Under that situation imminent failure becomes an issue.

For the average user though over the life of a couple of system builds getting a decade out of a fan shouldn't be an issue. Like anything else the duration of life is impacted by power cycles.

 

[aigomorla]

I don't really think the position of the axis makes that big of a difference. I suppose one could make the argument that horizontal placement could increase the failure potential of the seal breaks and you leak oil from the bering. Under that situation imminent failure becomes an issue.

Everyone whose built PC's for a while know the best way to kill your fan is to run it horizontal.
The bearing does not self lubricate when in that position on some fans.
This is why double ball bearing, and noctua's SSO bearing tend to last longer in the horizontal position.

Ive had many cheap fans fail on me from running them in the horizontal.
Ive even had the old Arctic Cooling P fans, the ones with White blades fail on me.

I do know some FDB and Sleeve bearing are the worst fans to use in the horizontal position, and is highly recommended against it.

 

[Sam25]

Thank-you so much everyone for all the input, really appreciate it.

I have taken @aigomorla 's advice and changing ALL the fans to Nidecs (120mm). Arctic P-series fans are not currently available here in India unfortunately.

The fan-configuration looks like this then:

2 X Front - Intake
1 X Bottom - Intake
3 X Top - Exhaust
1 X Rear Exhaust
Deepcool AK620 CPU Cooler- Push Pull (w/ default Deepcool fans)

Now, since the above fan config has slightly more exhaust vs intake is the negative pressure in anyway harmful?

I have been running this same fan config (negative pressure) for the last 6 years on my Ryzen 1600X setup in the same case (Corsair 780t Full Tower) with Corsair AF 120 or 140mm fans without any problems. My CPU temperatures while gaming don't go beyond 60C and HDD's all stay in the mid 30's. Also, GPU (Asus Dual Radeon RX6600) hovers around 59-62C when gaming. This is in India where I am at presently and ambient room temps without the AC running is about 30-35C normally (barring winter months).

 

[Tech Junky]

harmful

No, just make sure to check the inside for dust periodically.

 

[Paperdoc]

Exactly as Tech Junky said. Small negative pressure has NO direct impact on cooling. It means only that some room air containing dust may enter the case without going through dust filters, so dust may accumulate slowly inside your case. Lots of that can interfere with heat removal. But periodic light cleaning can deal with that.

 

[aigomorla]

Now, since the above fan config has slightly more exhaust vs intake is the negative pressure in anyway harmful?

Very difficult to hold any meaningful amount of pressure inside a case without using window sealing foam, or some form of rubber in every corner of your case.

So do not worry about pressure.

The only time it plays any role, is probably when you have positive pressure fed though a HEPA filter so you can keep your internals dust free in a high dust environment.