Phanteks P400S / NZXT Kraken x42 [Fan Placement?]

[SkyBum]

Starting the build tonight and realized I'm unsure which way to set up airflow. Not enough clearance at top or back so the x42 must be placed at the front (will be placing it in the top position same as in the attatched pic). Just realized I'm unsure between pushing case air through the rad and out the front or pulling air through the front and venting rad air into the case. Neither seems optimal since the front airflow on this case is somewhat restricted.

There will be one more fan up front below the x42, and one at the top rear. 2 fans could be added up top if needed.

Off the top of my head Im thinking 2 fans against the case front pulling in with rad behind the top one venting into case (same config as pic). Rear fan pushing out and and assume I will need to add 1 or 2 more fans up top venting out? Does this make the most sense? The CPU is i5 8400 so no overclock. GPU is GTX 1060. Still concerns me about this setups airflow being subpar though.

Pic below is same case, same rad and front 2 fans but I would need to purchase any fans for the top positions.

Any suggestions for fan arrangement would be appreciated.

Phanteks P400S TG
I5 8400
NZXT Kraken X42 AIO
EVO 960 M.2 NVMe 500gb
MSI Z370-A Pro
MSI GTX 1060 6gb
16GB Trident Z 3000
EVGA Bronze 500

 

[bfun_x1]

Of those two choices I'd say pull from the front and push through the rad like in the picture. Because of the case design the front air flow will always be restricted and probably recycled. To me it looks like a front fan will pull just as much air from inside the case as outside the case. That's okay but it just means that you'll need to make sure your exhaust fans are pulling in plenty of outside air. If not the rad might keep recycling the warm case air. Mounting the radiator at the top would improve things but it wouldn't look as nice.

 

[SkyBum]

unfortunately the rad will not clear the mobo up top, not much clearance up there so front mount is the only option. At this point its down to which fans where and which way to point them. This PC is for the GF so she wont mind but really bummed that i did not see this airflow problem in time to avoid it...

 

[bfun_x1]

No reason to be bummed. You temps are still going to be great. There's probably only a 1 to 2 degree difference between front and top. It's the kind of thing extreme builders worry about but it doesn't really matter for everyday use. I've certainly sacrificed a little performance for better aesthetics.

 

[aigomorla]

sandwitch the radiator with fans in a push/pull config.

Right now your setup is set at push config... meaning fan up front pushes air though the rad.
Put an additional fan behind it, so it pulls air as well.
Push / Pull config.

It will help generate more air though the radiator, which in turns keeps your coolant cooler, which in turn will keep your cpu cooler.

You may also want to add a fan below that radiator if possible so your GPU can get some fresh air as well.

But that's about all i can see for air improvements.

 

[SkyBum]

Thanks aigomorla, the case already has a 140 below the radiator, also pulling from the front. I'll follow your advice and add a second fan to the rad though, for a total of 3 fans up front pulling in, and a single 140 exhaust fan next to the MB IO. I still have the option of adding two more 140s up top for exhaust (or intake if it would better help out the GPU). Trying to decide if i should just go ahead and order those two additional fans or wait and see how temps are without them.

Thanks for the help!

 

[aigomorla]

becareful when screwing that front fan tho.
make sure u dont puncture the rad fins with long screws.

This used to be a common mistake people made which killed radiators.
In your case, it would destory the entire AIO.

So when you get proper #6 screws
Incase your wondering...

https://www.amazon.com/XSPC-Radiator-Screw-Mixed-8-pack/dp/B009TBPOL6

Should fit most radaitors.

Again visualize from the side after screwing 1 in, to see how far u can go before you hit the fins.

 

[SkyBum]

Good point, thanks for the heads up!

 

[bfun_x1]

becareful when screwing that front fan tho.
make sure u dont puncture the rad fins with long screws.

This used to be a common mistake people made which killed radiators.
In your case, it would destory the entire AIO.

So when you get proper #6 screws
Incase your wondering...

https://www.amazon.com/XSPC-Radiator-Screw-Mixed-8-pack/dp/B009TBPOL6

Should fit most radaitors.

Again visualize from the side after screwing 1 in, to see how far u can go before you hit the fins.

I've been wondering why screw protector plates aren't standard on all radiators. Blackice makes rads with them and without them. Why without?