Will this work for airflow and cooling?

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

So later this year I will be upgrading to the Zen 2, I will be using the successor to the MSI B450 (maybe it's B550?) Pro Carbon AC and the successor to the Ryzen 5 2600X. Besides these upgrades, my system components will be the same as they are now. I also have a Sound Blaster ZxR which is not listed in my system specs.

Anyways, the configuration will be in my current Define R6 Blackout (non-TG) case. I will have two Aerocool DS 140mm fans in the front of the case for intake, one Aerocol DS 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust, and for my CPU cooler I will be using a NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 at the top. It is important to note that I will be running this cooler in performance mode which will not only slightly beat my Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT in thermals, but it will only produce a sound level of 26 dB while running at 800 RPM (this sound level is based on an overclocked load on an i7-6700k so it may be slightly off).

Based on the above setup would this perform nicely for airflow and cooling? I also want to make sure that the fans are configured to at the correct RPMs to limit any access noise of possible.

 

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

I am actually thinking about putting the NZXT Kraken X62 in the front (intake) and then having one of my Aerocool DS 140mm in the rear for exhaust... would this work?

 

[mstenholm]

Just tell us how much heat you need to remove.....

 

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

Just tell us how much heat you need to remove.....

Just trying to keep my system cool while also maintaining a certain level of sound.

 

[mstenholm]

Just trying to keep my system cool while also maintaining a certain level of sound.

Sorry that is not answer that will get us nearer. Why don't you try with your current HW and see if it improves thermals. And then wait until the new AMD arrives before you ask further?

 

[Chomiq]

You're asking a theoretical question about a system that's based on unreleased CPU and hardware that you've yet to obtain. You'll cross that bridge once you'll get there.

 

[Vayra86]

Just trying to keep my system cool while also maintaining a certain level of sound.

LOL. Nice. Can we get it a BIT more abstract please? Just so we can be in the dark a bit more

As long as fans are spining in the correct direction; nothing to worry about.

 

[natr0n]

As long as fans are spining in the correct direction; nothing to worry about.

 

[overvolted]

I've currently got 3 140mm fans in front, a 360 rad with 3 fans in the roof, and a single 120 in the rear of a phanteks evolve x case.
Running a ryzen 1700 @ 3800mhz, and geforce rtx 2060...I have zero problems with airflow or keeping things plenty cool with the fans turned way down.
Only the fans on my rad ramp up in proportion to CPU temp and no issue. Nice and quiet most of the time too.
I would think you should be fine.

 

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

I've currently got 3 140mm fans in front, a 360 rad with 3 fans in the roof, and a single 120 in the rear of a phanteks evolve x case.
Running a ryzen 1700 @ 3800mhz, and geforce rtx 2060...I have zero problems with airflow or keeping things plenty cool with the fans turned way down.
Only the fans on my rad ramp up in proportion to CPU temp and no issue. Nice and quiet most of the time too.
I would think you should be fine.

I know that my question was based on unreleased hardware (which has been pointed out a few times), but let's just base this on Zen+ since we can assume that Zen 2 will have similar thermals and needs.

So my case is Fractal Design R6- for my listed computer components would two 140mm fans in the front (Aerocool DS) and one 140mm fan in the back (Aerocool DS) be sufficient? I have had this setup criticized and people have stated that the inside of my PC is going to get nice and toasty... OK, so how do we remedy that? Here are some potential setups:

1. NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 in the front for intake, one 140mm fan in the read for exhaust (Aerocool DS).

2. Be quiet! Silent loop 360mm in the top for exhaust (with Silent Wings 3 PWM fans installed), two 140mm fans in front for intake (either Aerocool DS or Shadow Wings 3 PWM), one 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust (Aerocool DS or Silent Wings 3 PWM)

3. Be quiet! Silent loop 240mm in the front for intake, one 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust, three 140mm fans at the top for exhaust.

***Aerocool DS fans are not PWM fans which is their biggest drawback- they move a lot of air and are quiet though. I may use Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 instead or Noctua fans, any advice on this would be helpful***

The main point of this build is to perfectly balance cooling with noise

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

I know that my question was based on unreleased hardware (which has been pointed out a few times), but let's just base this on Zen+ since we can assume that Zen 2 will have similar thermals and needs.

So my case is Fractal Design R6- for my listed computer components would two 140mm fans in the front (Aerocool DS) and one 140mm fan in the back (Aerocool DS) be sufficient? I have had this setup criticized and people have stated that the inside of my PC is going to get nice and toasty... OK, so how do we remedy that? Here are some potential setups:

1. NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 in the front for intake, one 140mm fan in the read for exhaust (Aerocool DS).

2. Be quiet! Silent loop 360mm in the top for exhaust (with Silent Wings 3 PWM fans installed), two 140mm fans in front for intake (either Aerocool DS or Shadow Wings 3 PWM), one 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust (Aerocool DS or Silent Wings 3 PWM)

3. Be quiet! Silent loop 240mm in the front for intake, one 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust, three 140mm fans at the top for exhaust.

***Aerocool DS fans are not PWM fans which is their biggest drawback- they move a lot of air and are quiet though. I may use Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 instead or Noctua fans, any advice on this would be helpful***

The main point of this build is to perfectly balance cooling with noise

Is the kracken an aio and Can you fit it in the top because if it is an aio putting it in the front of a restricted airflow case will just have your gpu throttling more imho.

 

[mstenholm]

What ever you do the 300 W noisy Powercolor Red Devil will still be loud and warm. The Kraken X62 is a good quiet AIO but you need airflow and as @theoneandonlymrk pointed out the position it the top blowing out would be better. You have room in the bottom for 2x140 mm intake. You might need them. In the end you will have a noisy system but with plenty of flow.

 

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

Is the kracken an aio and Can you fit it in the top because if it is an aio putting it in the front of a restricted airflow case will just have your gpu throttling more imho.

You can fit the Kraken X62 in the top... you could even fit a Kraken X72 in the top or a Be Quiet Silent Loop 360mm. I am not sure if you are familiar with Fractal Design's Define R6, but the case isn't very restrictive in terms of airflow. In fact, it actually has very good airflow (and thermals) despite being marketed as a silent case. You didn't say anything about the fans though- should I stick with my Aerocool DS fans or should I go with Be Quiet Silent Wings 3?

What ever you do the 300 W noisy Powercolor Red Devil will still be loud and warm. The Kraken X62 is a good quiet AIO but you need airflow and as @theoneandonlymrk pointed out the position it the top blowing out would be better. You have room in the bottom for 2x140 mm intake. You might need them. In the end you will have a noisy system but with plenty of flow.

The PowerColor Red Devil Vega 64 isn't as noisy and you think it is. Sure it's noisier than my old GTX 1070, but not by a drastic amount.

 

[mstenholm]

The PowerColor Red Devil Vega 64 isn't as noisy and you think it is. Sure it's noisier than my old GTX 1070, but not by a drastic amount.

If yo say so. The four reviews I read says the opposite but if you are happy then you can put Yate Loons in you case and not hear any difference. And now I again suggest that you wait until some body reviews this illusive new CPU....

 

[John Naylor]

Anyways, the configuration will be in my current Define R6 Blackout (non-TG) case. I will have two Aerocool DS 140mm fans in the front of the case for intake, one Aerocol DS 140mm fan in the rear for exhaust, and for my CPU cooler I will be using a NZXT Kraken X62 Rev 2 at the top. It is important to note that I will be running this cooler in performance mode which will not only slightly beat my Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT in thermals, but it will only produce a sound level of 26 dB while running at 800 RPM (this sound level is based on an overclocked load on an i7-6700k so it may be slightly off).

Based on the above setup would this perform nicely for airflow and cooling? I also want to make sure that the fans are configured to at the correct RPMs to limit any access noise of possible.

The two in at front and one out at rear makes sense. You always want more air coming in than out. Three in and two out usually is able to maintain positive case pressure.

Options include .... (Bold = preinstalled.)

Front: 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fan

Top: 3 x 120/140mm fan

Bottom: 2 x 120/140mm fan

Rear: 1 x 120/140mm fan

Now the question is.... how are you going to install the Kraken. I looked at the manual and it doesn't appear that they provide any instruction in this regard. Here's pick of the Corsair H100i which echoes the accepted custom loop installation procedure ... rad fans ALWAYS blow in, no exceptions. Yeah, we all learned in 8th grade earth science that hot air rises but if ya take college level thermodynamics you learn cool using the coolest source of air available (just like ya car). a) With 33C coolant, your CPU cooling will be twice as effective using 23C ambient outside air than 28C interior case air.

b) There is no component in your case that will be affected by your interior case air temps being in mid to high 20s, c) Ib you install as exhaust, that gives you 3 fans blowing out and just two flow restricted fans blowing in. The result is 3 fan equivalents blowing out and 1.3 to 1.5 fan flow equivalents blowing in and causing significant negative pressure. That last one means you will be sucking the rest of the air in thru those vented slot covers at the rear of the case as well as other nooks and crannies. Now thing of what the air is like on the back exterior of ya case ... its all hot exhaust from your 850 watt PSU and 350 watt GFX card.

Also with 3 x 120 of intake area (360) on top, and 2 x 140 (280mm) use, you have a lot of open space that will just allow exhausted air to come back in. You'll want to block that off somehow. With the two front and two top fans blowing in now you have positive pressure. It will be forced out thru the rear fan, that aforementioned empty space on top and these vented slot covers thereby no PSU / GPU exhaust will enter the case and no dust load along with it.

 

[Mighty-Lu-Bu]

So I actually think I am going to be moving away from this setup- I am going to try my chances with air cooling.

The setup will still be in my Fractal Design Define R6, but there will be some differences. I really like the Aerocool DS fans, but the Achilles heel of these fans are that they are not PWM fans. Instead I will be using Noctua fans.

Two Noctua NF-A14 PWM chromax.black.swap 140mm fans in the front for intake (this should be plenty) and one NF-A14 PWM chromax.black.swap 140mm in the rear for exhaust. I will still be using the Le Grand Macho RT, but I will not be using the stock fan- instead I will be using another Thermalright fan that is only available on Newegg as part of an exclusive. This Thermalright fan has the same dB rating, but moves slightly more air than the stock Grand Macho fan. Since the Grand Macho is the best air cooler on the market and since I am going to be using some of the best fans on the market, I do not think I am going to have many heat issues. I am also trading my PowerColor Red Devil Vega 64 for my buddy's Vega 56 Sapphire Nitro+ Limited Edition which should be trading blows with the GTX 1070ti at stock and push over a GTX 1080 when overclocked. Since it has lower power consumption than my massive Red Devil Vega 64 that should help with thermals. Prior to my Vega 64, I had a GTX 1070 and I was pretty much able to play most games on ultra on max settings. Since the Vega 56 is a better card than the GTX 1070, I will still get my money's worth, but have a better price to performance ratio (especially when you factor in cost) than my Vega 64.

There are reports that Navi is going to just be a mid-tier lineup (at least initially) so if there is nothing that is released that is better than what I have then I will just hold off.