Corsair H70 - Intake versus Exhaust Install?

[TheBeagle]

I have the new H70 enroute from Newegg as I write this post. I intend to install it in my new build consisting of a Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 (Rev. 2.0) board, with an i7-980X proc, along with six sticks of Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D memory, 1 SSD, 7 hard drives, 2 optical drives, a Gigabyte GV-R585OC-1GD video card, and a 2250 TV tuner, all powered by a ThermalTake Toughpower 850 modular PSU. All of this installs in a Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 case - and that's the source of my concern.

The GT1000 case has been designed to cause a front-to-rear wind tunnel effect from two 92mm intake case fans in the lower case front and a 120mm exhaust fan in the upper rear of the case below the PSU. There are no other exhaust fans (or opening for same) in this case.

Therefore, if I install the H70, as per Corsair's suggested intake install recommendations, I have just eliminated the primary exhaust fan from the system (aside from the 140mm PSU exhaust fan), and in the process will likely unbalance the airflow design for that case. I realize that the PSU fan could assume some of that additional exhaust load, but I'm hesitant to add undue thermals to the PSU, since heat is usually not a friend of a PSU.

The array of components in my new build obviously displaces a considerable amount of thermal energy, and it darn well needs a place to go to get out of that case without delay or accumulation. Otherwise, I'll have a mini-oven on my desk.

So the question is this: Under these circumstances, can the install be done with the push-pull fans set for case exhaust rather than Corsair's suggested intake design, without doing substantial harm to the intended functionality and performance of the H70?

I'd really appreciate some INFORMED information (as opposed to speculation) about this whole matter. Thanks for any solid info that can be provided.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle

 

[Kenmitch]

I wouldn't consider myself an expert but I'm thinking your not gonna like the temps.

Seems to me with your case selection your damned if you do and damned if you don't. To me it looks like your case is lacking in the airflow category.

As far as having the fan mounted as intake goes per Corsair's suggestion....This is done as most likely the air outside your case is cooler than the air in it. The cooler the air to the rad the better.

 

[MJinZ]

What a sad case for a $1000 processor.

 

[jvroig]

So the question is this: Under these circumstances, can the install be done with the push-pull fans set for case exhaust rather than Corsair's suggested intake design, without doing substantial harm to the intended functionality and performance of the H70?

Absolutely. They'd rather you use cool air from outside the case to cool the rad, rather than warmer air that has passed through your case, hence the recommendation, but doing otherwise will only probably give you 3-4C difference, if at all. At any rate, you will not be doing any 'substantial harm'.

Either that, or you will have to change the dual 92mm front intakes to exhaust. That's probably a bad idea, since the PSU will still be exhausting air at the upper back corner, so the airflow will be more screwed up.


Cliffs:
Just set the H70 fans in a push-pull configuration to exhaust, then forget about it.

 

[Yellowbeard]

You could always test it both ways and compare. That's the ONLY way to know for sure.

I wonder why a "high end gaming case" has no top exhaust? From the pictures, it looks as if you could put a fan in the top of that case. That would likely help regardless of which way you point the H70.

 

[finbarqs]

I'm going to order one of these to replace my 3 month old CoolIT ECO system... probably going to order it from Amazon.com... the temps on the ECO @ 4GHz are just too high...

 

[RaistlinZ]

Not much you can do other than use it as an exhaust and deal with the warmer temps, thus negating the benefit of the H70 setup in the first place - or buy a more suitable case.

Since money doesn't seem to be an issue I'd opt for getting a new case.

 

[aigomorla]

put the rad in a front 5 1/4 bay.

 

[felang]

2 degree C difference when mounted as exhaust instead of intake according to this review...

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...25-corsair-hydro-h70-cpu-cooler-review-9.html

 

[Kenmitch]

2 degree C difference when mounted as exhaust instead of intake according to this review...

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...25-corsair-hydro-h70-cpu-cooler-review-9.html

The case in your link was the CM 690 which looks like it has crappy airflow so I guess the only way the OP will know is to try it out. Might be OK if ran at stock speeds tho....But he is cramming alot of stuff in that case.

 

[jvroig]

The case in your link was the CM 690 which looks like it has crappy airflow

Crappy airflow, the CM 690? Not at all. It's quite good, actually. Have you ever used one or even just seen the specs for it? It has 6 120mm fans: 2 top exhaust, 1 back exhaust, 1 side intake, 1 bottom intake, 1 front intake. And it even has cable management.

EDIT: Just saw this right after I posted: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2098839 CM 690 is good.

 

[Kenmitch]

Crappy airflow, the CM 690? Not at all. It's quite good, actually. Have you ever used one or even just seen the specs for it? It has 6 120mm fans: 2 top exhaust, 1 back exhaust, 1 side intake, 1 bottom intake, 1 front intake. And it even has cable management.

EDIT: Just saw this right after I posted: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2098839 CM 690 is good.

Well I was just going off the specs on newegg and CM for that matter. Only stated 1 front, 1 rear, 1 side fan and didn't mention the other optional fan mounts. I didn't download the manual or run and buy one to see for myself. With further scrutiny it doesn't look to terribly bad....But it isn't a HAF that's forsure.

I wouldn't have a problem suggesting the CM 690 II to somebody looking for a smaller case. The first version just doesn't have enough airflow for my liking!