Which Fan setup is best?

[ScissorClaw]

I have an Intel 865 mobo. It only has inputs for four fans, one being for the CPU fan. The Question I have is that with the thre remaining headers, would it be better to place two in the front for input, and one in the back for output? or vice-versa? Need to ot know, building a computer for my wife to do taxes tomorrow. Ughhhhhh, taxes!!!!!! Ths US should be paying us, or better yet, SCO should be paying us just because they are a PITA and they are a bunch of suing, greedy %$#$@%$! Thanks in advance folks!

Jerry

 

[Nohr]

You can use 3pin to 4pin power adapters so your fans will run on regular drive power connectors. You won't be able to monitor their RPM, but you can add as many fans as your PSU will allow.

As for airflow I try to have an equal amount of intake and exhaust.

 

[MadScientist]

Here's a few articles on case cooling and fan placement that may be helpful.
Link1
Link2
Link3

I have a slightly overclocked Abit 865 MB/P4 sytem with an Enermax case. Besides the 2 fans in my PS blowing out, I have 3 Sunon ball bearing fans: 1- 80 mm front bottom fan blowing in, 2 - 80 mm back fans blowing out, and a 92 mm side fan that came with the case that I turned around to blow in. The 3 - 80mm fans are plugged into the MB. The case also has a top blow hole but the system runs cool enough that I do not have a fan on it. I also cut out the openings for the back fans since the holes Enermax had for them were too restrictive.

Also do a search, e.g., "case fan", or "case cooling", on this forum and other tech forums to get opinions from others on what fans and fan arrangements they are using.
Link4
Link5
Link6

 

[Thokor]

Now I am really confused. Reading these articles they state that " Having a blow hole at the top of the case is bad and disrupts airflow ". Yet almost every cooling post I have read here states that a blow hole is a good thing. The article also states that having an intake on the side is bad unless you run a duct straight to the CPU.

So basically they recommend :

2 Intakes front
2 exhaust rear
1 PSU rear
1 ducted intake side ( optional )


Is this considered the best setup? If your case has small slits around the sides near the top of the case will this be enough to dissipate heat from the top of the case? Should I tape those closed to get better circulation in the case? ( and reduce dust ).

Thanks

 

[GnomeCop]

yes that is definitely one of the bestsetups, not the quietest though.

I have 2 80mm intake in the front of my case and one 80mm exhaust in the rear. The 2 in the front are low rpm silent NMB fans, and the one in the back is a temperature controlled thermaltake fan that came with my TEC cooler set.
I have a 92mm hole on the side panel as an intake with a92mm papst fan.

its not as loud as most setups but isnt silent.
my cpu is 30-33c idle and never breaks 50c under load playing Far Cry.
I guess on a hot day it may break 50 but probably not by too much.