New to Building -- Some fan questions

[tholly]

Howdy hardware gurus!

 

I am trying to further my understanding about fans before attempting my first ever "from scratch" build. My hardware wish list includes the following:

 

Case: Corsair 760T

Motherboard: ASUS Z97 - Deluxe

PS: Corsair AX860i

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i

 

I've been reading a ton of online reviews, watching a bunch of youtube, and definitely reading installation guides. Really trying to do my homework upfront! The advice I am sure to get here will be very much appreciated! Please also read between the lines and answer any questions that I have failed to ask ... but you recognize as common "gotchas" for noobs.

 

My questions >>

 

1) What % RPM do the fans run at when tied into the 760T case fan header and at reduced speed? I am guessing this is the fan's minimum RPM that can vary by fan mfg and model? Perhaps 30% is a fair guess? So if different fans models are tied into the case's fan header (4 different 4-pin connectors) ... then each fan can be running at a different reduced speed RPM?

 

2) If one wanted to measure a fan's speed ... you have to somehow tie into wire #3 (the sensor wire) and interpret the 2 pulse per revolution signal. Using RPM controllers that provide an interface ... you simply read what is reported. Otherwise, I guess you need an oscilliscope that can display the square wave signal? Anyone know of a small device (volt-ohm meter size) that can be used for measuring fan speed?

 

3) Here's a listing showing some wiring splitters that allow more than one fan to be connected to a motherboard fan controller connector (or a stand-alone fan controller) >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=fan%20splitter&Submit=ENE

 

When using a splitter ... you must keep the total power of all fan's within limits that is typically 1 watt at max RPM per motherboard connector (and could be much more with a stand-alone fan controller)? Using a splitter would make the measured RPM value bogus? For example, there would be two overlapping square wave patterns for a two fan splitter?

 

4) Considering the 4 fan controller that comes with the H100i, if you only use two fans for the radiator ... I guess you could control the two intake case fans on the 760T with the spare available port? Does the H100i controller allow you to specify a fan curve for each individual fan?

 

5) What temperature values are typically made available using a controller-to-motherboard USB interface? Does the H100i fan controller give access to more than one temperature reading?

 

6) Does anyone know of an inexpensive device that can measure case pressure? I would like to control intake fans by case pressure and case exhaust fan(s) by temperature and have an alarm that tells me when the filters need cleaning.

 

Here's a link for some devices with a manually read meter face >> http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Pressure/DifferentialPressure/Gages/Series2000#model-chart

 

Not sure I like having a big meter face or not? But I would prefer a device with USB connectivity and software that makes the job easy for the novice.

 

7) I want to use the pull configuration on the H100i to make radiator cleaning easier. I have seen a review where duct tape was used as a makeshift shroud to plug the fan/radiator edge gap caused by the circular shape of Corsair fans. The tape prevents air from being pulled in from the shortest path that bypasses the fins. Duct tape is certainly ugly. Perhaps I can fashion a gasket of sorts. Any ideas or comments on what works best?

 

Thanks everyone.

[HOODedAssault]

1) usually fan controller go by intervals of 5v 7v and max 12v. Depends on the fan at which speed it will spin at at that voltage. Many fans will come with a 5v or 7v adapter and if they do it will say in the specs the speed it will spin with the adapter installed.

 

2) If your this worried about how fast the fans are spinning just get a fan controller for $30-$50 and you'll know exactly how fast they are spinning at and ll times.

 

3) If you using the same exact fan on a splitter the rpm should be pretty accurate. I could see it getting quite wonky if you used 2 different fans on 1 splitter.

 

4) Not sure, but I doubt it as the fans connect 2 to 1 port on the H100i. It's a splitter off the H100i.

 

5) Not sure what you mean but link software shows many temps. Cpu, gpu, water temp, everything you really need.

 

6) No idea...

 

7) I wouldn't use pull configuration. Even if you seal it off it won't cool as well as push. Put front and bottom intake and h100i exhaust and rear fan exhaust and you'll have much better temps then pull. It's physics. Trying to pull down hot air that wants to rise just isn't going to work. Plus you'll heat up every other component in your case. I used pull in exhaust orientation in 600T with h100i and I had worse temps then using an h60 as exhaust on the rear of the case.

[snapper69]

I thought that he meant Pull as in fans on top of the radiator pulling air through it and out of the case, thereby making it easier to clean the rad. When I get round to installing my H100i that's how I intend to do it with all the other fans sucking air in through filters.

[HOODedAssault]

Won't cool as well. But it won't make cooler useless. If your will ti loose some ° then it's fine that way.

[tholly]

Hey guys .... Thank You for responding.

 

I was aiming at using the fans to exhaust out the top.

 

HOODedAssault -- Adding another intake fan at the bottom is a good suggestion. I am initially sticking to a bare bones configuration and using onboard video until I get the basics working. Once I get a video card ... I will seriously consider adding another intake fan. Any ideas on how to most easily filter that bottom mount intake? I sure wish there was a full length filter along the entire bottom of the case that was shared by the PSU and the optional intake location.

 

I see you have an SSD with Win 8.1. I am so looking forward to having my first SSD with this new build! I have a lot to learn about TRIM before I switch from Win 7 to 8.1. I will be reading more on this and probably asking some advice in another section of this forum.

 

-----------

 

A note to other noobs ... check the amp rating of all the components. Initially, I found myself attracted to some of the extreme aftermarket fans and then realized that path can lead to a melt down. I'm sticking to tried, trued, and most importantly "practical" combinations.

[HOODedAssault]

Trim is in win7 as well. No real advice. If your only running single ssd just turn off system restore so u don't have unnecessary read/writes and trim will do its thing automatically. You used to hard to turn off hard drive caching too but does it automatically now. Gets a little more complicated when using raid configurations. Other then that quite simple use it.

[EXILE157]

I was reading comments and I can say HOODedAssault is right on with advise.

 

That's how I always setup my gaming rig's, I now have the 760T with H100i and I have my setup like this

 

Front [x2] 140mm AF / Intake.

Bottom [x1] 140mm AF / Intake.

Rear [x1] 140mm AF / Exhaust.

Top H100i [x4] 120mm SP Push Pull / Exhaust.

 

Now, the only thing I would like to add on the front is a Ultra Fine Fan Filter! I'm still searching around to see how or where can I get this,

I purchased [x3] 140mm Magnetic Ultra Fine Fan Filter, but the 2 on the front doesn't stick and N:nono: I don't want to screw it onto fan, then it will be a pain in the a:brick:$$ taking them out to clean'em every 3-4 weeks.

 

I will have to measure the front :thinking: so it can fit perfectly, then send it to http://www.DEMCifilter.com for final cut.