Which fan placement has the best airflow? Corsair 4000x, Airflow and Temperature Test, EP. 3

Summary

In this detailed case testing episode, the Corsair 4000 X is put through various fan configurations to assess its cooling performance. The test begins with the out-of-the-box setup of three front intake fans and no exhaust, revealing inefficiencies in airflow and higher temperatures. Adding a rear exhaust fan improves cooling and airflow, while two top exhaust fans provide mixed results. Ultimately, a configuration with three front intake fans and one rear exhaust proves most effective. The Corsair 4000 X is deemed a versatile case suitable for both air and AIO cooling, with optimized airflow setups crucial for efficient cooling.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Corsair 4000X case features three RGB front fans but lacks exhaust fans, creating a positive air pressure setup that may lead to higher internal temperatures.
• 😀 In the first test, with only the three front fans, the CPU temperature reached 82°C and the GPU temperature hit 89°C under stress testing.
• 😀 Without an exhaust fan, the airflow inside the case was inefficient, with hot air stagnating at the back and not being expelled properly.
• 😀 The addition of a rear exhaust fan significantly improved airflow, reducing the CPU temperature to 76°C and the GPU temperature to 88°C.
• 😀 Fog tests revealed that with a rear exhaust fan, air was more efficiently drawn out, leading to better circulation and a reduction in stagnant air areas inside the case.
• 😀 When two top exhaust fans were added, the front of the case became slightly cooler, but the rear temperature increased, which affected the overall balance of airflow.
• 😀 The fog test with two top exhausts showed that the air was drawn out too quickly, preventing proper circulation and reducing airflow time around the components.
• 😀 The optimal fan configuration for best airflow and cooling performance was found to be three front fans, one rear exhaust, and one top exhaust fan.
• 😀 Adding multiple top exhaust fans may improve overall airflow but can disrupt the balance of temperatures in different areas of the case, especially the rear.
• 😀 For air-cooled systems, the best setup was found to be three front fans, one rear exhaust, and a single top exhaust, ensuring more efficient cooling and airflow management.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the case testing in this video?

The main objective is to test the airflow and temperature performance of the Corsair 4000X case with different fan configurations, using stress tests to measure CPU and GPU temperatures and airflow efficiency.

What is the difference between the Corsair 4000X and 4000D models?

The Corsair 4000X features a glass front panel, while the 4000D has a mesh front panel. The 4000X was used for this test, despite initially mentioning the 4000D.

What is the significance of testing with 'positive air pressure' in this case?

Positive air pressure means more intake fans than exhaust fans, which helps prevent dust buildup and ensures that air is pushed out through the openings. However, it can also cause higher internal temperatures if not managed with adequate exhaust.

Why was the addition of an exhaust fan at the rear significant?

Adding an exhaust fan at the rear improved airflow, lowering the internal temperature, especially around the CPU. It helped extract the hot air from the case, reducing stagnation and enhancing overall airflow efficiency.

How did the addition of top intake fans affect the temperatures and airflow?

The addition of two top intake fans initially lowered the front case temperatures but caused the rear temperatures to rise. This was likely because the top fans exhausted cool air before it could effectively circulate through the system, leading to less effective cooling of the GPU and CPU.

What was the impact of removing one top fan during the final test?

Removing one top fan helped balance the airflow by preventing cold air from being exhausted too quickly. This led to a slight decrease in rear temperatures and improved airflow towards the GPU and CPU, making it a more balanced configuration.

Why did the CPU temperature drop significantly when an exhaust fan was added?

The addition of an exhaust fan allowed hot air to escape from the case more effectively, reducing the overall temperature. With proper airflow, the CPU cooler was able to draw in cooler air, leading to lower CPU temperatures.

What was observed in the fog test with the out-of-the-box configuration (three intake fans)?

In the fog test with three intake fans, the airflow was visible as it formed a vortex around the CPU, with stagnant air accumulating near the GPU and CPU due to the lack of an exhaust fan. This caused inefficient cooling in certain areas of the case.

What do the results suggest about the effectiveness of top fans in the Corsair 4000X?

The top fans, while initially seeming beneficial for cooling, caused some cold air to be immediately exhausted before it could reach the components. For air-cooled systems, the additional top fans did not improve airflow as much as expected, indicating that top fans are better suited for AIO setups.

What configuration was found to be the best for cooling in the Corsair 4000X?

The best configuration for cooling was 3 intake fans at the front and 1 exhaust fan at the rear. This setup provided the best airflow and temperature distribution, with efficient cooling for both the CPU and GPU while avoiding stagnation.