What is the total number of fans in your rig.

[linnemeyerhere]

It seems that there are as many cooling preferences as fan makes and models. I think the absolute minimum number of case fans should be two, one intake and one exhaust.

 

[pparks1]

^ 2 is certainly a good recommendation and like you said an intake and exhaust. This new box where I am going to only start with 1 fan, is a file server, with a low power Core i3-2100t, I will be using onboard video, no extra cards, 2 hard drives and a 430 watt corsair power supply. This thing won't be able to make much heat. If I do have an issue, I plan to add a single intake to the front.

 

[Zepher]

I've got 5 case fans, 3x 230mm and 2x 120mm.
And a fan on the PSU and GPU

 

[linnemeyerhere]

pparks1, I can understand the use of just one fan to exhaust and just let the air flow in to fill the low pressure area. Like you mentioned a server wont have near the temps to contend with that most of our OC's enthusiast rigs will.

Zepher, Nice balance of air flow and quiet in your rig.

 

[pparks1]

pparks1, I can understand the use of just one fan to exhaust and just let the air flow in to fill the low pressure area. Like you mentioned a server wont have near the temps to contend with that most of our OC's enthusiast rigs will.

I'm sure there is somebody here who would insist on 7 case fans though and probably a Corsair H100 in a push/pull config with Noctua fans or something...minimum :

 

[A Guy]

2 Noctua 120mm intake in the front. 1 Noctua 120mm exhaust in the back. 1 140mm Noctua on top. 1 120mm Noctua PWM on the CPU cooler. There's a fan in the PSU. I have a custom radiator on the GPU, so that one's gone. That's 6. Almost silent, and always good temps. A Guy

 

[cyclic]

I have just the one ! apart from the inbuilt PSU, graphics and stock CPU coolers.
I had 2 but decided the case ventilation was sufficient to try and make things quieter, so took the front bottom in fan out of the case, not a single change in temps.
BTW I play a lot of very recent games too.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Thank goodness we're just discussing case fans and all this can be kept civil ! I have filled every available spot with a silent or speed controlled fan. But I do admire and really want to build and powerful minimalist rig off of a micro-atx platform but even when you begin going small, heat and air flow do become a concern....maybe more so.

 

[Hopalong X]

pparks1, I can understand the use of just one fan to exhaust and just let the air flow in to fill the low pressure area. Like you mentioned a server wont have near the temps to contend with that most of our OC's enthusiast rigs will.

I'm sure there is somebody here who would insist on 7 case fans though and probably a Corsair H100 in a push/pull config with Noctua fans or something...minimum :

One is sufficient. Just make it big enough.
The fan can be the side panel. :devil:

360mm Silent Case Fan - Blue LED at Xoxide!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Something like this maybe !
Airgo - Mobile, Vertical Floor Fan

 

[Hopalong X]

Something like this maybe !
Airgo - Mobile, Vertical Floor Fan

Perfect!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Then it's settled once and for all. Ditch all our Noctua's, Coolermasters, Scythe's, Thermaltakes.....all you need is one BigAss fan.

 

[M1GU31]

The fan on the psu the fan in the front,the two side fans, the fan in the back , the fan on the custom cpu cooler and the fan on the gpu total of 7 fans in my rig.

 

[paulpicks21]

I appear to have quite a lot of fans now due to a recent case upgrade and 2nd GPU.

The total is 13. There are spaces in the case for 3 more but I think it might be a little OTT

5x 120mm case fans, 1x 200mm case fan, 2x 120mm fans on my Frio, 4 fans on my GPUs and 1 on my PSU.

The system runs pretty cool.

 

[A Guy]

All you need is a CPU cooler...

Scythe Susanoo

A Guy

 

[paulpicks21]

Jeez that is extreme A guy, does the case need to be 2ft wide

 

[Hopalong X]

All you need is a CPU cooler...

Scythe Susanoo

A Guy

Where do you get the titanium/carbon fiber reinforced motherboard to support the weight?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

No the manufacturer just recommends A Guy wires strung to all four corners of the case and then tensioned.

 

[Hopalong X]

Off topic a bit but we need to keep those fans and cases clean boys and girls.

Walmart automotive section. $35.55 with sales tax.
Might even clean the van. Hmmm? :sarc: Never mind that idea.
Turtle Wax

 

[Wishmaster]

^ 2 is certainly a good recommendation and like you said an intake and exhaust. This new box where I am going to only start with 1 fan, is a file server, with a low power Core i3-2100t, I will be using onboard video, no extra cards, 2 hard drives and a 430 watt corsair power supply. This thing won't be able to make much heat. If I do have an issue, I plan to add a single intake to the front.

A set up like that, a single 120mm exhaust and let the negative pressure be intake should be plenty.
Or at least, it would seem to me thats more than adequate.