Fan Suggestions

[HotWheels301]

Hi guys. I'm a newbie needing a little help. Here's the deal. This will be my first build. I'm building it for my 11 year old son. Primarily a gamer. i have an Intel D975XBX motherboard, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 processor. I haven't decided yet on video cards. I can go up to 8GB of memory, but will probably go with 4GB (can't afford more). My case has an 80mm fan in the top and an 80mm in the side. Can this be adequate? Don't seem like alot of cooling. I've got a spot for another 80mm in the side, as well as a spot for a 120mm. Also, my power supply has dual 80mm, if this matters? Any suggestions? ALL help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 I can go up to 8GB of memory, but will probably go with 4GB (can't afford more).

You don't even need 4GB of RAM, just get 2GB and you'll be fine. WinXP really can't use more than 3GB of RAM anyway unless you use the 64bit version.

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 My case has an 80mm fan in the top and an 80mm in the side. Can this be adequate?

Depends on which way the fans are blowing.

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 Don't seem like alot of cooling. I've got a spot for another 80mm in the side, as well as a spot for a 120mm.

If the spot for the 120mm is on the back of the case, install a 120mm fan to blow out of the case.

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 Also, my power supply has dual 80mm, if this matters?

They help, but those fans are mainly to keep the power supply cool, not the entire case.

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 Any suggestions?

Install a 120mm fan on the back for exhaust, the top fan should be exhaust, the side fan should be intake and if you put another 80mm fan on the side make it an intake too.

Just remember that the more fans you install the noisier the computer will be.

Cricket

[HotWheels301]

So, you think an 80 on top as exhaust, 2 80s on side as intake and 120 on back as exhaust will be ok?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 So, you think an 80 on top as exhaust, 2 80s on side as intake and 120 on back as exhaust will be ok?

Yes, that should give you a very good cooling setup.

Actually, I believe in using as few fans as possible to keep the noise levels down. If this was my computer I would only install the 120mm fan on the back.

Cricket

[flanzig1]

If you practice good wire management when building your system, the number of fans you have should be more than enough for cooling.

[12twelve12]

If you do get another 80mm fan or two then check out the Cooler Master ones. They are one of the quietest fans that I tested and bought. I actually have 6 of them (Cricket just rolled his eyes) in my case and it's not too loud at all.

Edit: as flanzig stated good cable management helps big time...Example

[HotWheels301]

Thanks guys. I'll try to keep the fans at a minimum. I have a factory built VAIO that's very annoying. Also, nice wire management 12twelve12. I'd like to use it as a model, if you don't mind? It gives me something to go by. Thanks again.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 Thanks guys. I'll try to keep the fans at a minimum. I have a factory built VAIO that's very annoying. Also, nice wire management 12twelve12. I'd like to use it as a model, if you don't mind? It gives me something to go by. Thanks again.

Go for it. I was probably a little excessive in my neatness but hey...that's me. By the way some have looked at it quickly and thought I used black electrical tape to wrap the wires. Now that would be a pain wouldn't it? It's just cheap spiral wrap that I picked up at the hardware store...or was the automotive store? Anyhow it made it much easier than to take connectors off, slide sleeving over cables and then re-attach connectors. Just some FYI

[HotWheels301]

Yeah, I didn't think it was electrical tape. I knew what it was. I work with it everyday. i build RVs and we use it to wrap the wiring and the 1/4" copper line. I'll definitely use it. I wouldn't have thought of it though. lol. One other question. Will a standard 120mm fan work for my rear exhaust fan or is there a fan just for that purpose? Thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by HotWheels301 One other question. Will a standard 120mm fan work for my rear exhaust fan or is there a fan just for that purpose?

A standard 120mm fan should work fine. Get one with a 4 pin molex power connector to connect directly to the power supply, not the motherboard.

Cricket

[chuck4456]

That's a lot of fans. It's going to sound like an Electrolux with all of those.

[jer888]

if you do use all those fans, you may want to consider a fan controller to keep the noise down

[HotWheels301]

I think I'll keep fans at a minimum. I'll closely monitor temps and add if I need to.