• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Air Cooling -- Myths and setup tips for the novice performance / gaming builder

Joined
Mar 9, 2021
Messages
301 (0.27/day)
System Name Back in Black
Processor Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard MSI B450 Tomahawk
Cooling ID-Cooling SE-224-XT Black
Memory Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) 3000mhz C15
Video Card(s) Asus Rog Strix GTX 1070 TI Advanced Edition
Storage Crucial MX500 500GB / Solidigm P41 Plus 1TB
Display(s) Samsung 32" TV 1080p
Case Montech Air X Black
Power Supply Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 750W Gold
Mouse Redragon M711 Cobra
Keyboard Corsair K55
I don't think I will do this, why is another intake needed when you already have 400mm of it?

I'm thinking just 2x200mm intake, then 1x rear exhaust and 1x top exhaust nearest to the rear one, and leave the other exhaust blank... just to give it a directional diagonal flow at least? Cause the heat from the gpu will be pumping into the case as well.
I added the extra fans because I had no other use for them. The bottom one was directly below the GPU, redirecting fresh air to it, and the top fan was exhausting from the CPU and VRMs. None of the parts were running particularly hot or anything, but the added fans helped reduce about 3-5C from the GPU and about 2-4C from the CPU... a "feels good" result.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
15,800 (4.58/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
I added the extra fans because I had no other use for them. The bottom one was directly below the GPU, redirecting fresh air to it, and the top fan was exhausting from the CPU and VRMs. None of the parts were running particularly hot or anything, but the added fans helped reduce about 3-5C from the GPU and about 2-4C from the CPU... a "feels good" result.

care to share a picture of your fans setup? if not its cool. just curious what is actually looks like, don't need any picture of other parts of the case or the 200mm intake, just your top/bottom fan setup would do.

again if you don't want to go through the hassle its fine. just curious is all
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
3,817 (0.81/day)
Location
in a van down by the river
Processor faster than yours
Motherboard better than yours
Cooling cooler than yours
Memory smarter than yours
Video Card(s) better performance than yours
Storage stronger than yours
Display(s) bigger than yous
Case fancier than yours
Audio Device(s) clearer than yours
Power Supply more powerful than yours
Mouse lighter than yours
Keyboard less clicky than yours
Benchmark Scores up yours
I'm not opposed to switching it around. My case is the Montech Air X.

Any suggestions welcome.

How about 1x extra fan attached to the NH-D15S + 2 top exhaust and no rear exhaust?

and this case has dust filters everywhere, the PSU draws from the bottom of the case fan down
I think I have that case sitting in an unopened box in my basement. Regardless, I would personally remove the top front fan as all it's doing is taking cool air coming in from the front panel away from your noctua cooler. See link
 
Joined
Mar 9, 2021
Messages
301 (0.27/day)
System Name Back in Black
Processor Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard MSI B450 Tomahawk
Cooling ID-Cooling SE-224-XT Black
Memory Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) 3000mhz C15
Video Card(s) Asus Rog Strix GTX 1070 TI Advanced Edition
Storage Crucial MX500 500GB / Solidigm P41 Plus 1TB
Display(s) Samsung 32" TV 1080p
Case Montech Air X Black
Power Supply Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 750W Gold
Mouse Redragon M711 Cobra
Keyboard Corsair K55
care to share a picture of your fans setup? if not its cool. just curious what is actually looks like, don't need any picture of other parts of the case or the 200mm intake, just your top/bottom fan setup would do.

again if you don't want to go through the hassle its fine. just curious is all
Not a hassle at all.

Dark room. Didn't turn on the light, but my radioactive light shows the way. The fans don't match the "all black" theme cause they're gray, but I didn't care much.


IMG_20221109_230204.jpg
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
15,800 (4.58/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Not a hassle at all.

Dark room. Didn't turn on the light, but my radioactive light shows the way. The fans don't match the "all black" theme cause they're gray, but I didn't care much.


View attachment 269357

so you have 1x intake at top, blowing down into cpu cooler, 1x rear exhaust right next to it (wont that just suck out the cool air thats being blown in right next to it?) and 2x200mm intakes?

then the fan at bottom is blowing air on to your psu, sucking it away from the gpu

have to say i have never seen anything like this before. hmm
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
2,373 (0.61/day)
System Name boomer--->zoomer not your typical millenial build
Processor i5-760 @ 3.8ghz + turbo ~goes wayyyyyyyyy fast cuz turboooooz~
Motherboard P55-GD80 ~best motherboard ever designed~
Cooling NH-D15 ~double stack thot twerk all day~
Memory 16GB Crucial Ballistix LP ~memory gone AWOL~
Video Card(s) MSI GTX 970 ~*~GOLDEN EDITION~*~ RAWRRRRRR
Storage 500GB Samsung 850 Evo (OS X, *nix), 128GB Samsung 840 Pro (W10 Pro), 1TB SpinPoint F3 ~best in class
Display(s) ASUS VW246H ~best 24" you've seen *FULL HD* *1O80PP* *SLAPS*~
Case FT02-W ~the W stands for white but it's brushed aluminum except for the disgusting ODD bays; *cries*
Audio Device(s) A LOT
Power Supply 850W EVGA SuperNova G2 ~hot fire like champagne~
Mouse CM Spawn ~cmcz R c00l seth mcfarlane darawss~
Keyboard CM QF Rapid - Browns ~fastrrr kees for fstr teens~
Software integrated into the chassis
Benchmark Scores 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
Generally speaking, the open side of the fan is intake and the side with strator vanes (is this the right term? I forget) is exhaust, so top/rear exhaust and bottom fan blowing at the GPU.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
15,800 (4.58/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
ah ok, I understand now. this is not a bad idea. I do have a couple spare fans too. I might do this.
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
2,678 (1.93/day)
System Name Mean machine
Processor 13900k
Motherboard MSI Unify X
Cooling Noctua U12A
Memory 7600c34
Video Card(s) 4090 Gamerock oc
Storage 980 pro 2tb
Display(s) Samsung crg90
Case Fractal Torent
Audio Device(s) Hifiman Arya / a30 - d30 pro stack
Power Supply Be quiet dark power pro 1200
Mouse Viper ultimate
Keyboard Blackwidow 65%
I don't think I will do this, why is another intake needed when you already have 400mm of it?
Might sound weird but having more intake fans means you have more air exhausting. See the fractal torrent, it only has intake fans, they build positive pressure in the case and so the air moves out naturally without any exhaust fans needed
 
Joined
Mar 9, 2021
Messages
301 (0.27/day)
System Name Back in Black
Processor Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard MSI B450 Tomahawk
Cooling ID-Cooling SE-224-XT Black
Memory Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) 3000mhz C15
Video Card(s) Asus Rog Strix GTX 1070 TI Advanced Edition
Storage Crucial MX500 500GB / Solidigm P41 Plus 1TB
Display(s) Samsung 32" TV 1080p
Case Montech Air X Black
Power Supply Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 750W Gold
Mouse Redragon M711 Cobra
Keyboard Corsair K55
ah ok, I understand now. this is not a bad idea. I do have a couple spare fans too. I might do this.
Like @claes said, top/rear are exhaust and front/bottom are intake.

For the bottom fan you need two of the long radiator screws to hold the front (the glass side) of the fan, and nothing plugged on that part of the motherboard (for ATX). If your board is mATX, then the fan should fit easily.
 

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
58,413 (8.21/day)
Location
Oystralia
System Name Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
That is a few billionths of a second; a CPU can't go from "cool to overheated" on that time scale.
Zen3 runs on the 1ms scale, so they can go from max power to idle in that time, 1/1000th of a second.
Sorry about taking the thread OT, but that jellyfish thing looks awesome @Mussels :D
Birthday present, it is in fact awesome. I modded it to run off USB power instead of 3xAA.
It's one of those things that cameras have issue seeing the same way the human eye does, but they dance around and the bubbles (literally detergent) catch the RGB lights
1668059920852.png


You always want more fans in than out, or if not possible more airflow via setting the fan speeds

I tried a rear intake into my top radiator to see if it would help, and it simply clogged its dust filter in about 48 hours - and then started sucking dust around the filter in all the gaps and cracks and clogged the rad too



You simply want air in, air out in a straight as line as possible, as close to the hot components as possible (Through their heatsinks, preferably)

Having air in/out in multiple locations with obstructions just leads to eddies, whirlpools and dead spots. You can visualise it like how water works because airs technically a fluid too - imagine a hose in a bathtub, get it going down the drain directlyand its gone, but get it splashing to the side and you get a whirlpool happening that while it still leaves, it takes longer


There is always exceptions, or times it matters only the tiniest amount - but dust is always a long term problem for everyone, and parts are only getting higher wattage so it's critical people adjust their thinking
 
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
12,015 (1.86/day)
Location
Nebraska, USA
System Name Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0
Cooling Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF
Memory 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5
Storage Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD
Display(s) Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse Logitech M190
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
Software W10 Pro 64-bit
montech air x case
I would start with the default setup from the factory. Then use a real-time temperature monitor like Core Temp to monitor CPU temps. If my temps are maintained comfortably within normal operating ranges, I would leave it alone.

Having air in/out in multiple locations with obstructions just leads to eddies, whirlpools and dead spots
I have seen so many times where the use of a side panel fan actually degrades cooling because it disrupts that desired "front-to-back" flow of air. I always recommend removing (or unplugging) any side panel fan for that reason.

There is one exception and that is "IF" the side panel fan blows directly into a tube that channels the air directly on to a downward firing CPU or GPU cooler. That sometimes helps with the processor cooler but may still adversely affect over all cooling. So use a real-time temp monitor and, through trial and error, determine the best setup.
 
Last edited:

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
15,800 (4.58/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
I would start with the default setup from the factory. Then use a real-time temperature monitor like Core Temp to monitor CPU temps. If my temps are maintained comfortably within normal operating ranges, I would leave it alone.


I have seen so many times where the use of a side panel fan actually degrades cooling because it disrupts that desired "front-to-back" flow of air. I always recommend removing (or unplugging) any side panel fan for that reason.

There is one exception and that is "IF" the side panel fan blows directly into a tube that channels the air directly on to a downward firing CPU or GPU cooler. That sometimes helps with the processor cooler but may still adversely affect over all cooling. So use a real-time temp monitor and, through trial and error, determine the best setup.

your right, it isn't that hard to add fans later on. I could even do some of my own testing. I think I will do this, thanks
 

freeagent

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
7,421 (3.67/day)
Location
Winnipeg, Canada
System Name Altered Beast
Processor AMD R9 5900X/5800X3D
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
Cooling Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, 1x T30
Memory 2x8 G.Skill Trident Z Royal 3200C14, 2x8GB G.Skill Trident Z Black and White 3200 C14
Video Card(s) Zotac 4070 Ti Trinity OC
Storage WD SN850X 2TB, SN850 1TB, SN770 1TB - Asus Hyper M.2, 2x SN770 1TB
Display(s) LG 50UP7100
Case Fractal Torrent Compact RGB
Audio Device(s) JBL 2.1 Deep Bass
Power Supply EVGA SuperNova 750w G+, Monster HDP1800
Mouse Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboard Logitech G213
VR HMD Oculus 3
Software Yes
Benchmark Scores Yes
I could even do some of my own testing.
This is honestly the best way to do things. Everyone has their own ideas on how things should be, but by testing on your own, you will know for certain what works best with your components. I've tried all kinds of crazy and not so crazy stuff just to see what differences would come of it. You won't be disappointed.
 
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
12,015 (1.86/day)
Location
Nebraska, USA
System Name Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0
Cooling Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF
Memory 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5
Storage Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD
Display(s) Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse Logitech M190
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
Software W10 Pro 64-bit
I could even do some of my own testing. I think I will do this, thanks
You should. And don't forget cable management is very important too - not just for aesthetic (neatness looks more professional) but good cable management makes the best (as in least) impact on air flow too. And does not collect as much dust, and the dust it does collect is easier to clean.
 
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
6,875 (1.02/day)
Location
USA
System Name Computer of Theseus
Processor Intel i9-12900KS: 50x Pcore multi @ 1.18Vcore (target 1.275V -100mv offset)
Motherboard EVGA Z690 Classified
Cooling Noctua NH-D15S, 2xThermalRight TY-143, 4xNoctua NF-A12x25,3xNF-A12x15, 2xAquacomputer Splitty9Active
Memory G-Skill Trident Z5 (32GB) DDR5-6000 C36 F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK
Video Card(s) EVGA Geforce 3060 XC Black Gaming 12GB
Storage 1x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe (OS), 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB (data 1 and 2), ASUS BW-16D1HT
Display(s) Dell S3220DGF 32" 2560x1440 165Hz Primary, Dell P2017H 19.5" 1600x900 Secondary, Ergotron LX arms.
Case Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s) Audiotechnica ATR2100X-USB, El Gato Wave XLR Mic Preamp, ATH M50X Headphones, Behringer 302USB Mixer
Power Supply Super Flower Leadex Platinum SE 1000W 80+ Platinum White
Mouse Zowie EC3-C
Keyboard Vortex Multix 87 Winter TKL (Gateron G Pro Yellow)
Software Win 10 LTSC 21H2
This is honestly the best way to do things. Everyone has their own ideas on how things should be, but by testing on your own, you will know for certain what works best with your components. I've tried all kinds of crazy and not so crazy stuff just to see what differences would come of it. You won't be disappointed.

I've found in my testing that, beyond a certain point, additional case fans can raise temperatures and noise in a lot instances, and that adding additional fans to large high end aircoolers (example: NHD15S, PHTC14PE) often makes no difference on real world temperatures. Also filling every fan opening with a fan doesn't always generate an optimal result. As we are custom computer enthusiasts, every case and set up is slightly different.

I also don't bother with filters, my room is fairly dust free as the case sits elevated on a desk surface and I have no pets or carpet. Filters increase noise and temperatures by adding obstruction. After a year, there was no appreciable visible dust. Even so, I open it up about once every 6 months to a year and use a metro datavac to blast any dust out.
 
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
12,015 (1.86/day)
Location
Nebraska, USA
System Name Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0
Cooling Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF
Memory 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5
Storage Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD
Display(s) Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse Logitech M190
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
Software W10 Pro 64-bit
Filters increase noise and temperatures by adding obstruction.
I have never had a problem with increased noise. If anything, they help suppress fan noise. If they obstruct the flow that much, they are lousy filters, dirty filters or both.

As for temperatures, not there either. In fact, when I see my temps start to rise, that is their signal to me to clean them!

I agree if your computer sits a bit off the floor, and you don't have shedding pets or a bunch of kids running around stirring up dust, the filters will not be of much use. Still, I do not enjoy breaking down my computers to lug them outside to blast them clean. So all my cases will always have filters.
 
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
6,875 (1.02/day)
Location
USA
System Name Computer of Theseus
Processor Intel i9-12900KS: 50x Pcore multi @ 1.18Vcore (target 1.275V -100mv offset)
Motherboard EVGA Z690 Classified
Cooling Noctua NH-D15S, 2xThermalRight TY-143, 4xNoctua NF-A12x25,3xNF-A12x15, 2xAquacomputer Splitty9Active
Memory G-Skill Trident Z5 (32GB) DDR5-6000 C36 F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK
Video Card(s) EVGA Geforce 3060 XC Black Gaming 12GB
Storage 1x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe (OS), 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB (data 1 and 2), ASUS BW-16D1HT
Display(s) Dell S3220DGF 32" 2560x1440 165Hz Primary, Dell P2017H 19.5" 1600x900 Secondary, Ergotron LX arms.
Case Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s) Audiotechnica ATR2100X-USB, El Gato Wave XLR Mic Preamp, ATH M50X Headphones, Behringer 302USB Mixer
Power Supply Super Flower Leadex Platinum SE 1000W 80+ Platinum White
Mouse Zowie EC3-C
Keyboard Vortex Multix 87 Winter TKL (Gateron G Pro Yellow)
Software Win 10 LTSC 21H2
I have never had a problem with increased noise. If anything, they help suppress fan noise. If they obstruct the flow that much, they are lousy filters, dirty filters or both.

As for temperatures, not there either. In fact, when I see my temps start to rise, that is their signal to me to clean them!

I agree if your computer sits a bit off the floor, and you don't have shedding pets or a bunch of kids running around stirring up dust, the filters will not be of much use. Still, I do not enjoy breaking down my computers to lug them outside to blast them clean. So all my cases will always have filters.
For my O11 Air Mini, the feet don't raise very far above the desk surface and the bottom intake filter has a thick plastic frame that decreases the desk top clearance. In this instance, removal of the filter helps, not because the filter has poor flow but because it decreases the intake volume due to its thick plastic framing. If I recall correctly, Gamer's Nexus's main complaint with this model was high videocard temperatures due to the limited bottom intake. I don't have any issues with card temperatures but I removed this filter from day one.

The other intake region is the front, which doesn't have a filter, just a steel mesh. The mesh face does filter some dust but its minimal, I just don't have much dust in this room.

bottom filter.jpg
 
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
12,015 (1.86/day)
Location
Nebraska, USA
System Name Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0
Cooling Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF
Memory 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5
Storage Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD
Display(s) Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse Logitech M190
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
Software W10 Pro 64-bit
Ah, so it is not the filter material itself, but the location and mounting frame. That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
2,373 (0.61/day)
System Name boomer--->zoomer not your typical millenial build
Processor i5-760 @ 3.8ghz + turbo ~goes wayyyyyyyyy fast cuz turboooooz~
Motherboard P55-GD80 ~best motherboard ever designed~
Cooling NH-D15 ~double stack thot twerk all day~
Memory 16GB Crucial Ballistix LP ~memory gone AWOL~
Video Card(s) MSI GTX 970 ~*~GOLDEN EDITION~*~ RAWRRRRRR
Storage 500GB Samsung 850 Evo (OS X, *nix), 128GB Samsung 840 Pro (W10 Pro), 1TB SpinPoint F3 ~best in class
Display(s) ASUS VW246H ~best 24" you've seen *FULL HD* *1O80PP* *SLAPS*~
Case FT02-W ~the W stands for white but it's brushed aluminum except for the disgusting ODD bays; *cries*
Audio Device(s) A LOT
Power Supply 850W EVGA SuperNova G2 ~hot fire like champagne~
Mouse CM Spawn ~cmcz R c00l seth mcfarlane darawss~
Keyboard CM QF Rapid - Browns ~fastrrr kees for fstr teens~
Software integrated into the chassis
Benchmark Scores 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
I have never had a problem with increased noise. If anything, they help suppress fan noise. If they obstruct the flow that much, they are lousy filters, dirty filters or both.

As for temperatures, not there either. In fact, when I see my temps start to rise, that is their signal to me to clean them!
With all respect, this is simply untrue. Filters significantly reduce CFM and, while they (mostly) don’t increase noise in a noticeable way in and of themselves, the increase in CFM in their absence allows lower fan speeds, which does reduce noise (and dust, incidentally, though a filter obviously wins in that regard).
 
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
12,015 (1.86/day)
Location
Nebraska, USA
System Name Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3 Rev 1.0
Cooling Quality case, 2 x Fractal Design 140mm fans, stock CPU HSF
Memory 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s) EVGA GEForce GTX 1050Ti 4Gb GDDR5
Storage Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD, Samsung 860 Evo 500GB SSD
Display(s) Samsung S24E650BW LED x 2
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse Logitech M190
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
Software W10 Pro 64-bit
With all respect, this is simply untrue. Filters significantly reduce CFM
"Significantly"? With all respect - no they don't. Not good filters and not unless they are dirty.

Now for sure, there are cheap air filters - cheap as in poorly designed that do restrict more than others. But please note, I never said or implied they don't restrict some - of course they do. Even the steel mesh covering filter-less fan vents offer some resistance - and a significant amount when clogged with dirt.

But quality and clean filters only impose a very small bit of resistance that any quality fan can handle with aplomb.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
2,373 (0.61/day)
System Name boomer--->zoomer not your typical millenial build
Processor i5-760 @ 3.8ghz + turbo ~goes wayyyyyyyyy fast cuz turboooooz~
Motherboard P55-GD80 ~best motherboard ever designed~
Cooling NH-D15 ~double stack thot twerk all day~
Memory 16GB Crucial Ballistix LP ~memory gone AWOL~
Video Card(s) MSI GTX 970 ~*~GOLDEN EDITION~*~ RAWRRRRRR
Storage 500GB Samsung 850 Evo (OS X, *nix), 128GB Samsung 840 Pro (W10 Pro), 1TB SpinPoint F3 ~best in class
Display(s) ASUS VW246H ~best 24" you've seen *FULL HD* *1O80PP* *SLAPS*~
Case FT02-W ~the W stands for white but it's brushed aluminum except for the disgusting ODD bays; *cries*
Audio Device(s) A LOT
Power Supply 850W EVGA SuperNova G2 ~hot fire like champagne~
Mouse CM Spawn ~cmcz R c00l seth mcfarlane darawss~
Keyboard CM QF Rapid - Browns ~fastrrr kees for fstr teens~
Software integrated into the chassis
Benchmark Scores 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
I mean, GN has demonstrated 10* differences in CPU temps but for your review:
 

freeagent

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
7,421 (3.67/day)
Location
Winnipeg, Canada
System Name Altered Beast
Processor AMD R9 5900X/5800X3D
Motherboard Asus Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
Cooling Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, 1x T30
Memory 2x8 G.Skill Trident Z Royal 3200C14, 2x8GB G.Skill Trident Z Black and White 3200 C14
Video Card(s) Zotac 4070 Ti Trinity OC
Storage WD SN850X 2TB, SN850 1TB, SN770 1TB - Asus Hyper M.2, 2x SN770 1TB
Display(s) LG 50UP7100
Case Fractal Torrent Compact RGB
Audio Device(s) JBL 2.1 Deep Bass
Power Supply EVGA SuperNova 750w G+, Monster HDP1800
Mouse Logitech G502 Hero
Keyboard Logitech G213
VR HMD Oculus 3
Software Yes
Benchmark Scores Yes
Big fans, big heatsinks, big air, big noise, that's the way to really fly :)

Maybe a big AIO I guess if you're into that :p

Anything less than that and you are going to be complaining about hot temps :D

Especially in the summer :fear:
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
15,800 (4.58/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Big fans, big heatsinks, big air, big noise, that's the way to really fly :)

Maybe a big AIO I guess if you're into that :p

Anything less than that and you are going to be complaining about hot temps :D

Especially in the summer :fear:

Or just two top of the line fans and a smallish heatsink like the U12A. That sucker apparently can cool better than a D15, I have seen some say its a couple behind, others say it wins.

Who knows
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2019
Messages
1,159 (0.74/day)
Location
Loose in space
System Name "The black one in the dining room" / "The Latest One"
Processor Intel Xeon E5 2683 V4 16c/32t / i7 14700K @5.8GHz
Motherboard Asus X99 Deluxe / ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi
Cooling Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 w/4 Silverstone FM121 fans / Arctic LF II 280 w Silverstone FHP141's
Memory 64GB G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4 2400 (8x8) / 64G G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 6400
Video Card(s) EVGA RTX 1080 Ti FTW3 / Asus Tuff OC 4090 24GB
Storage Samsung 970 Evo Plus, 1TB Samsung 860, 4 Western Digital 2TB / 1tb, SK hynix P41 Platinum 2tb
Display(s) 43" Samsung 8000 series 4K / 50" Vizio M-series 4K
Case Modded Corsair Carbide 500R / Modded Corsair Graphite 780 T
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar Essence STX II/ Asus Xonar Essence STX
Power Supply Corsair AX1200i / Seasonic Prime GX-1300
Mouse Logitech Performance MX, Microsoft Intellimouse Optical 3.0
Keyboard Logitech K750 Solar, DiNovo Edge
Software Win 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 IoT / Win 11 Pro for Workstations 22H2
Benchmark Scores https://www.passmark.com/baselines/V11/display.php?id=202122048229

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
58,413 (8.21/day)
Location
Oystralia
System Name Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
fans with higher static pressure and a good seal against the case/radiator etc are less affected by a filter

Obviously a poor design will block a lot more airflow, i've got a bottom intake at a whopping 800RPM through a filter because it doesnt need to shave a cat, it's just there to guide the airflow up towards those top and rear exhausts
 
Top