n00b needs help cooling ;-)

[DvX]

Hi all... have read alot on this forum and it seems you are very helpful towards eachother.

I have some questions too... Fairly n00b ones, since I've never done any cooling what so ever...

I am getting this case: Chieftec Matrix Silver

So now with this case I need some fans, my local dealer sells these: Thermaltake Fan Case 80x80x25mm 4550rpm

Are they any good? As in silent too (I'm not a silence freek, I think the humming noise is a bit relaxing)
;-)

Now how many of those would you recommend? How many as "intake" and how many as "outtake"?
Also, how do you plug in such a fan? They just need to be plugged in with the cord to the powersupply?
Will my psu have enough slots so support the fans?

Also was thinking of getting this: Enermax 5.25" 6-Channel Fan Controller Silver

First of all, will my front door of my case still be able to close properly with this controller?

And also, how to connect the controller to my fans?

I know i'm asking many questions, and i'm sure some are fairly stupid ones, but I just don't wanna mess this one up ;-)

Thanks in advance for all the replies I will be receiving,
greets, DvX

 

[DvX]

So really no one who can assist me on this one?

 

[Peter D]

Well, I have a Chieftec Dragon so they're pretty similar so maybe I can help

First of all, you might wanna remove the 'https://' from your links, it messes them up. Secondly, Thermaltake's site is all messed, the link you have says its for an 80mm fan, but the actual page is for a 60mm but on the top of the Explorer window it says 120mm so..

If you mean this TT fan, then it looks like a decent case fan with 37CFM at 30dBA. I think you should put 4 of them in the case for good ventilation; 2 at the back for exhaust and 2 in the front for intakes.

As for hooking up case fans, you could use the 3 to 4-pin Molex connectors and just hook up to the connectors on the PSU (assuming you have a good quality PSU with a fair number of Molex connectors). But in your case, read the next paragraph

Next, the fan controller. It should fit just fine behind the door; I have a Vantec Nexus with some knobs that stick out a good 1/2" and it fits fine so the Enermax should be alright. As for connecting, it appears that the TT fans come with 3-pin connectors with 3 to 4-pin Molex connectors so you can just hook up the 3-pin connector on the fan to the header on the back of the Enermax controller.

Also, what PSU are you going to get?

Hope that helps,

Welcome to AnandTech

 

[DvX]

Hi,

First of all, very much thanks for replying!

I fixed the links... hehe

And YES the 80x80 are the ones I wanted... (Fixed the link too)

To reply on your PSU question... it's the 360w that comes standard with the case: PSU
Seems like a proper one too...

And thanks for the welcome ;-)

Greetz, DvX

 

[ROJAS]

I run 2 80mms in the front of my cases(Antec) and 2 80mms if possible in back.

You case is a nice case. The 80 mms will work very well.

Be sure to mount your front fans with the air coming into the case, and the back fans blowing hot air out of the case. Just reverse front to back. Usually theirs a mark or sticker on the front of the fan.

If you put a finger close to the fans you'll know if they are setup alright.

 

[Peter D]

Originally posted by: DvX
Hi,

First of all, very much thanks for replying!

I fixed the links... hehe

And YES the 80x80 are the ones I wanted... (Fixed the link too)

To reply on your PSU question... it's the 360w that comes standard with the case: PSU
Seems like a proper one too...

And thanks for the welcome ;-)

Greetz, DvX

Hmm, the rails seem alright, but I think the +12V line could be a little higher :-\

 

[DvX]

Also, the case I'll be getting is the FULL tower, so that means room way on top for a 92*92 fan too...
was thinking of this one: Enermax UC-9FAB

Greetz, DvX

 

[mechBgon]

We use the full-tower Chieftech for our primary domain controller at work. You don't need powerful fans for these. I've got ours running with 18-decibel 18cfm NMBs that turn probably about 1200rpms. Two front intake, two rear exhaust, one side-panel (set to exhaust for this case). It'll have dual Pentium3 1GHz processors soon, as well as four 10000rpm SCSI drives, and at that point I may switch up to Panaflo L1A's on it, they pack more punch but are still very pleasant and long-lived. If you want a fan recommendation, the L1A is good and would not really need controlling from a controller.

Incidentally, our Chieftech didn't come with the 92mm fan hole up in the top rear.

 

[DvX]

Ok tnx for the tips mechBgon

Also, I found your guide on the net, wich led me to this place ;-)
It is a nice guide...
Printed it out for when i'm going to put all in the new box ;-)

Maybe FAN install explenation would be nice in topic too... since i'm complete n00b and don't know anything about pc's on the inside ;-)
Maybe something for v2 of the guide :thumbsup:

Greets, DvX

 

[otispunkmeyer]

if u want quiet fans check out Vantecs stealth range

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: DvX
Ok tnx for the tips mechBgon

Also, I found your guide on the net, wich led me to this place ;-)
It is a nice guide...
Printed it out for when i'm going to put all in the new box ;-)

Maybe FAN install explenation would be nice in topic too... since i'm complete n00b and don't know anything about pc's on the inside ;-)
Maybe something for v2 of the guide :thumbsup:

Greets, DvX

That's good to hear With your Chieftec case, the fans all simply pop into plastic holders with your bare fingers, except for the one that's on the side panel (it uses four Phillips screws that are called "fan screws," with a coarse threading that works well on plastic). Fan installation varies from case to case, but I'll keep it in mind that the question could use some coverage

Anyway, seems to me that a fleet of Panaflo L1A's would be just the ticket and you can get them from most online cooling places, such as here (I've seen better prices, maybe you'll find 'em for less if you shop around). Or if you'd like more oomph with the option to crank the fans down, Panaflo H1As (H for High Output) might give you the range you wanted.

Because of the size of the case and the number of fans, you're bound to need some 12" 3-pin extension cables if you want to plug the rear fans into a controller, so load up on those, they're only 99¢. Looking at your Enermax fan controller, I can confirm the door will close on it without an issue... our server's tape drive ejects DAT tapes with the door closed without a problem and they stick out further than the adjusters on the Enermax, looks like.

 

[Cerb]

TT fans = L O U D.
Panaflo and/or Aerocool fans on a fan controller.

The Enermax controller is perfectly fine.
Conneting them...you um...do. Get fans with a 3-pin connector, and they plug in.

I have no earthly idea about the door, though.

And as Mr. Garrison once said, "There are no stupid questions, just stupid people."