p67x-ud3-b3 Motherboard, how much case fans can I run on it?

[Sig2dat]

Hi all,

I have a p67x-ud3-b3 motherboard. I am playing Battlefield 3 a lot and my CPU and GPU reach around 55 for cpu and gpu 60degrees. My case on top gets warm, so I recon the hot air has no where to go. My plan is to purchase two additonal 120mm case fans (my case can put 3 additional 120mm fans and one 80or 88mm fan). Currently I have a CPU FAN plugged in, a front fan, which is on the SYS_fan 1 or 2. In the manual it says theres 4 spots for fans. So i can still add one in total. I find this rather strange for such a board, am I overlooking anything?

Kind regards,

Sig2dat.

[Dark Mantis]

There is normally the CPU fan and then the pwr fan and a couple of sys_fans at least. Sysfan_2 only works at half speed though so don't think you have a fault. The other opption and the one I always favour is to use a fan controller and then you have complete control and can use as many fans as you want because they will be fed directly from the controller and that comes from the PSU.

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi Sig2dat, 

you can install an air conditioner in the room where is the computer.?
The temperature would be better CONTROLLED.

Gloup_Gloup

[Dark Mantis]

Yes, what is the ambient temperature where the system is ? If it is to high you will be fighting a losing battle . It doesn't matter how many fans you install.

[Sig2dat]

Ambient temperature would be 19 or 20 degrees Celcius, I am from the Netherlands so no desert like temperatures
I think the airflow in my case (t5-sharkoon Economy) is not that good, especially cause I have Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO as cpu cooler, the top of the case as mentioned before feels warm so my quess is that the hot air accumulates and stays there, theres no fan sucking the air out at the back.

[Dark Mantis]

It does sound like your case would benefit from the addition of some extra fans. If there is anywhere at the top you can fit them that would be ideal. Also make the rear fan/s as efficient as possible.

[Sig2dat]

Playing with the case open (side) results in temperature declining about 7degrees celcius, so its definetely the accumulation of hot air from the components. I'll try the rear fan for sucking air out, and report back with results!

[Sig2dat]

Sorry for double posting, I've placed the 80/88mm fan at the rear so it sucks out the hot air that i figured was accumulating and causing the heat. After playing BF3 for 15min the results were that the case didnt got warm, were it did before placing the fan. my CPU and GPU temps dropped with 8-9 degrees celcius. The fan is a cpucooler from an old AMD Sempron.
What 120mm case fans do you recommend? ( Amount of CFM and noise levels, pref low).
My eye caught the sharkoon s120mm fan, any good? Experiences?

Regards,

Sig2dat.

[Dark Mantis]

The best fans are the Gentle Typhoons by Scythe but they do tend to be a bit pricey. They are very quiet and move a lot of air.  There are numerous other 120mm fans that will do the job quite adequately so take your pick. You had me at a loss though, did you have the rear fan blowing into the case ? The fans should always be set so that the front fans intake air anmd blow it through the case towards the rear and top fans that expell the hot air. That way the components are cooled by the passage of air passed them.

[Sig2dat]

I have the rear fan set up so it sucks the air out, so air flows outwards. I have a front fan sucking in. Also I have installed a sidepanel 120mm that cools my gpu and mobo. CPU temp is not exceeding 42degrees on BF3 ultra, and gpu is not exceeding 50 degrees (all celcius). Do you think Mantis, that these temps allow stable overclocking of the i5-2500k, to lets say 4ghz?

[Dark Mantis]

I am sorry if  missed it but I don't remember what CPU cooler you are running at the moment. If you are still on the stock cooler then forget any overclocking but if you have a good one then there is no reason why you shoulldn't be able to reach 4Ghz quite easilly probably just with the multiplier.