[Danzle]

I got a Define R5 and run two NF-A14 PWM in the fornt and on in the back, with the top covers on. I run them usually at 500-600rpm Idle and during load (CPU 60°C up) 1000rpm. I got an RTX3080 FTW3 and a 5900X with the NH-D15. It's quiet and stays cool. What's the secret? Air goes in in the front and out in the back. Nothing special, just an unobstructed airflow path front to back. I always explain airflow as a line from the intake to the exhaust fan. Air never curves in every corner of your case. I even have my old BR drive installed to fill a potential hot pocket. What could be an improvement better than a dozen case fans would be one fan mounted on the side panel (if it's possible on the Define 7) that blows air on to the mobo components directly.

Btw, i re-added the top half of my HDD cage and had no change in thermals. I have no HDD in there yet, but a good sign that i could get away with a block of HDD.

There is an old guide on this site that i used to "study". Sadly, that was a guide from some 7 years ago and i sure haven't saved the thread anywhere. I have used this "airflow design" trough 3 builds and it hasn't failed me yet. My first version had the 3000rpm industrials and yes, runing at 3000rpm did squeze out a few °c, but really not worth the jet noise.

Here is a picture of Build #2. Only difference to #3 is the platform and GPU, so essentially more heat, same design.

Edit: Found it! * * Ways to Better Cooling; Airflow, Cooler & Fan...