Hey everyone! I'm fine-tuning my fan setup for my Be Quiet Pure Base 500DX case, and I could use some advice. Right now I have the following components: a Noctua NH-D15 G2 CPU cooler, a Noctua A14x25 G2 as the rear exhaust, and I'm running a powerful system with an MSI 4080, 9800X3D CPU, and some Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM. I'm trying to decide on the best front intake fans. Should I go with Option A: 2 Noctua A14x25 G2 fans (140mm), or Option B: 3 Noctua A12x25 G2 fans (120mm)? I want to optimize airflow while keeping things reasonably quiet. I'm curious about what you all think based on your experiences and any performance vs noise trade-offs.
1 Answer
I'd recommend going with 2x140mm fans. They can spin slower while still delivering the same airflow you'd get with smaller fans. Plus, adding a third fan right at the bottom mainly pushes air under the PSU shroud, which isn't the most effective use of airflow.
What about using only the 140mm fans? Having 2 in the front, 1 at the back, and 1 in the middle of the NH-D15 G2 seems like it could be the best all-around setup.