Fractal Design Define R5 fans - first build

jncunha · Aug 2, 2016

Hi everyone,

I'm making my first PC build on a new case so I'm bumping on a lot of doubts. Before I buy my new system I'm passing the old one to this case. This way I can get used to this and gain a little more experience when setting up my new components.

My Fractal Design Define R5 came with 2 140 mm fans. I was given 2 more Noctua NF-A14 FLX. Should I use them as case fans? Is there any Noctua fan that's more suitable for this purpose? I know this is a low noise fan compared to the PPC series which have more airflow but with a cost of noise.

Also, I have 1 Noctua NF-P14s Redux. Should I use this one as the exhaust fan? Or should I use one of Fractal Design stock fans? Or even one of the FLX?

To summarize, I have:

2 Fractal Design 140 mm stock fans
2 Noctua NF-A14 FLX
1 Noctua NF-P14 Redux

Can I make a good airflow in my new case with these fans? Which setup/placement should I have for each specific fan?

Thank you for the help!

jncunha · Aug 3, 2016

Let me just crack the ice:

This is my current fan setup. 2 front intakes, 1 bottom intake and a rear exhaust. I use both Noctua's NF-A14 FLX and 1 Fractal Design for intakes and the Noctua NF-P14 for exhaust.
What do you guys think? I didn't go for the top exhaust and panel intake because those mounts are not filtered and I want to minimize dust build-up inside the box.

Coroner117 · Aug 3, 2016

I doubt you would see much difference in acoustics or temperature if you swapped the positions of any of the fans. That said, according to the spec sheets of the Fractal Design fans vs that of the NF-A14 FLX there is a noticeably difference in airflow and static pressure.

Fractal Design GP-14

Static pressure: 0.71
Air flow: 68.4

NF-A14 FLX

Static pressure: 1.51
Air flow: 115.5

As you can see the Noctua fans are superior in both CFM and pressure. So for the sake of optimizing as much as possible I'd opt to swap the location of the front two fans to take advantage of the NF-A14's pressure to "push" through the drive cage. You don't specify which NF-P14 you have, so I can't really comment on that, but what I would do: All Noctua fans as intake (with the one with the highest static pressure as lowest front fan) and the Fractal Design GP-14 in the back.

Try swapping some positions and figuring out for yourself what's best. Bonuspoints if you come back and post results!

jncunha · Aug 3, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coroner117

I doubt you would see much difference in acoustics or temperature if you swapped the positions of any of the fans. That said, according to the spec sheets of the Fractal Design fans vs that of the NF-A14 FLX there is a noticeably difference in airflow and static pressure.

Fractal Design GP-14

Static pressure: 0.71

Air flow: 68.4

NF-A14 FLX

Static pressure: 1.51

Air flow: 115.5

As you can see the Noctua fans are superior in both CFM and pressure. So for the sake of optimizing as much as possible I'd opt to swap the location of the front two fans to take advantage of the NF-A14's pressure to "push" through the drive cage. You don't specify which NF-P14 you have, so I can't really comment on that, but what I would do: All Noctua fans as intake (with the one with the highest static pressure as lowest front fan) and the Fractal Design GP-14 in the back.

Try swapping some positions and figuring out for yourself what's best. Bonuspoints if you come back and post results!

This is the other Noctua I have: http://noctua.at/en/products/product-line-redux/nf-p14s-redux-1200

I'll do as you said. I'm going to use both Noctua's in front and the Fractal Design in the back. Being so, maybe I should go with the NF-P14S on the bottom.

Coroner117 · Aug 3, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by jncunha

This is the other Noctua I have: http://noctua.at/en/products/product-line-redux/nf-p14s-redux-1200

I'll do as you said. I'm going to use both Noctua's in front and the Fractal Design in the back. Being so, maybe I should go with the NF-P14S on the bottom.

Sounds good, let me know how it goes. I've got no doubt though that, with these powerful Noctua fans, you'll have no airflow issues.

doyll · Aug 3, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by jncunha

Hi everyone,

I'm making my first PC build on a new case so I'm bumping on a lot of doubts. Before I buy my new system I'm passing the old one to this case. This way I can get used to this and gain a little more experience when setting up my new components.

My Fractal Design Define R5 came with 2 140 mm fans. I was given 2 more Noctua NF-A14 FLX. Should I use them as case fans? Is there any Noctua fan that's more suitable for this purpose? I know this is a low noise fan compared to the PPC series which have more airflow but with a cost of noise.

Also, I have 1 Noctua NF-P14s Redux. Should I use this one as the exhaust fan? Or should I use one of Fractal Design stock fans? Or even one of the FLX?

To summarize, I have:

2 Fractal Design 140 mm stock fans
2 Noctua NF-A14 FLX
1 Noctua NF-P14 Redux

Can I make a good airflow in my new case with these fans? Which setup/placement should I have for each specific fan?

Thank you for the help!

I would use the 2x NF-A14 as front intake and 1x NF-P14 as bottom intake. Keep the side and top vents covered adn use 1x FD fan as rear exhaust. Experiment with back top vent open, closed, and open with other FD fan exhaust. You might find 'Ways to Better Cooling' link in my sig. 1st post is index, click on topics of interest to see them. I suggest starting with 5th one.

ehume · Aug 6, 2016

I am using an R5 with two A14 ULN's in front. The fans that come with the case? Use one under the case, or keep them as spares. I have my R5 with the rear "grill" cut away, so the air flows out. Have fun with it. It's a nice case. The front pull filter is what hooked me.

Fractal Design Define R5 fans - first build

jncunha

jncunha

Coroner117

jncunha

Coroner117

doyll

ehume

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