Making my rig colder

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Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov

Member
Oct 16, 2014
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Hi, could you help me make my computer as cold as possible, as it's overclocking friendly, and I plan to keep it for a while. Budget isn't that limited, maybe 150-200$ Newegg/NCIX (Canada) direct links welcome.

My current case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-107-_-Product
My current heat sink: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16835103099

Hopefully I didn't invested in a bad case? Are the Rosewill fans that came with the case good enough, or should I replace them? (I want to have the maximum number, namely 10)

Other specs: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
Intel i7 4930 G.Skill 16GB DDR3 2x Gigabyte GTX 980 4GB 750W Rosewill PSU
 
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fralexandr

fralexandr

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Apr 26, 2007
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your links don't work because they end at Produc.
which gigabyte gtx 980's are you using? there's at least 2 versions: a blower and a 3 fan version.
 
fralexandr

fralexandr

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2007
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As per Asus regarding the Rampage IV Extreme
the cards should be put in the 1st and 4th full length pci-e slots (1st and 3rd if only counting the full length RED slots)
That should give plenty of space for air flow between the 2 gtx 980's.

The blackhawk comes with 5 fans. That should be sufficient for the thermal loads given.
Adding more fans will increase noise and decrease temperatures by a small amount.
There are significant diminishing returns past ~4 fans.

A comparison done with 1x 560 ti (similar TDP to gtx 980) and 2500k (somewhat lower TDP than i7 4930k)
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/10/the-big-cooling-investigation/1
You'll be using 2x 980 and an ivybridge-e, so thermal loads will be higher, and scaling after 4 fans might be more noticeable.

The fans that came with my brothers Rosewill Thor V2 were fine.
Buying more expensive (~$20+) fans can improve air flow and/or noise levels.
noctua fans are pretty popular for a good balance of air flow to noise, BUT they're expensive.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/331629-28-cooling-roundup-2012#3075472
On equally priced fans, there will usually be some tradeoff between amount of air pushed, and noise output. Some fans will appear noisier/quieter based on the type of noise it makes.
Going with larger fans is typically preferred for noise reasons.

typical configuration would be intakes at the front/bottom and exhaust at the rear/top

In conclusion,
I don't personally think you need any more case fans, since 5 should be enough. The fans used in the Rosewill cases aren't bad, the cases tend to get pretty good ratings for thermal performance for their noise levels.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dragon-rider-chaser-mk-i,2992-9.html
 
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BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,895
2,209
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I won't pontificate on this much. You have a high-end configuration with air-cooling. My approach has been to use the case like a bellows with larger intake fans, and force ALL the airflow through the cooler and out the single exhaust.

You could invest in a better heatpipe cooler, like the NH-D14 or D15. You can actually do some little lo-tech things to maximize a D14's cooling potential and match the CPU load temperatures you might have with an AiO water-cooler like the H110.

I've had rigs with four 140mm side-panel intake fans and two 120mm front intakes in addition to the case exhaust and CPU fan. I now try to reduce the number of fans, pressurize the case and thermally control the fans to manage both noise and cooling. My own rig now has only four fans: two intake, a center "pusher" between the D14 towers, and a powerful AP-30 exhaust. I had to muffle the AP-30 with acoustic foam-rubber and at the same time duct the cooler to that exhaust -- not everyone's cup of tea.

And I was also able to use 200mm intake fans. I don't think your case provides for that. I've been more and more impressed with Rosewill products recently -- like their power supplies. And any case can be made "better" if you're prepared to do a little "metal-shop" work.

Truth is, if I had built that rig with the Rampage board and IvyBridge E processor, I would have been inclined to use water-cooling.

But a D14 of D15 should still give you more than adequate cooling, if you're prepared to live with a temperature-limited overclock. I'd rather have the temperature limitation than the temptation to overvolt the processor and shorten its life.
 
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