Airflow setup for Thermaltake Core v21

[ClimaCool]

So I have decided to get a Thermaltake Core v21 casing for my new build thanks to the recommendation from some of the brothers here. But I am having some problems deciding the airflow of the casing and how many fans to put to achieve a positive pressure (to prevent dust) and yet stay silent.

These are the picture and schematics of the casing:

The case comes with 2 filtered mesh panels (right and top) and a window (left). Also included is a 200 mm fan that is at the front configured for air intake.

I am going to place the casing on a pretty enclosed area on the floor with maybe allowance of 3 to 4 cm on the sides of the casing. My current idea is to change the window panel to the top and the filtered mesh window to the sides.

What I need to ask the experts here are:

1) Since the front fan is configured for intake and there are no filters, should i change it to exhaust (flip it) instead?

2) What are good fans to use for intake from the side (through the filters)? Corsair SP140? I read that it is better for enclosed and filtered air flow requirement. And if so how many would I need? Any other value for money fans out there?

3) Are there any other configurations that the experts here can recommend?

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Xteron]

1) There's a integrated mesh dust filter built into the entire front panel. I've replaced the front fan with CM megaflow 200mm fan red led to match my build. The effect is really nice with led fan due to the 'honeycomb' structure in the front panel. Except for the bottom and the rear, rest of the panels are dustproof.

I do not recommend changing the front intake configuration because with the front 200mm fan intake, the PSU, HDD cage and SSD below the motherboard tray will be able to get some cool air too. The cons of this case is that the PSU is mounted directly below the CPU socket so it's important to keep your PSU cool. I've also changed the window panel to the top because the view from the top is just awesome and it's unique.

2) I bought the Corsair AF140 for my exhaust. It's up to you how many fans you want but 2 intake at the side is more than enough. In fact, I'm using only one 200mm intake, one 140mm exhaust, and 240mm radiator at the side with exhaust configuration and i'm getting good temps.

I just hooted mine not long ago and definitely loving the case. Perhaps I'll post some pics when I'm free. Btw, do check stocks before going down to sls to avoid disappointment. I waited almost 1 month for this case...

 

[ClimaCool]

1) There's a integrated mesh dust filter built into the entire front panel. I've replaced the front fan with CM megaflow 200mm fan red led to match my build. The effect is really nice with led fan due to the 'honeycomb' structure in the front panel. Except for the bottom and the rear, rest of the panels are dustproof.

I do not recommend changing the front intake configuration because with the front 200mm fan intake, the PSU, HDD cage and SSD below the motherboard tray will be able to get some cool air too. The cons of this case is that the PSU is mounted directly below the CPU socket so it's important to keep your PSU cool. I've also changed the window panel to the top because the view from the top is just awesome and it's unique.

2) I bought the Corsair AF140 for my exhaust. It's up to you how many fans you want but 2 intake at the side is more than enough. In fact, I'm using only one 200mm intake, one 140mm exhaust, and 240mm radiator at the side with exhaust configuration and i'm getting good temps.

I just hooted mine not long ago and definitely loving the case. Perhaps I'll post some pics when I'm free.

Nice to know that the front panel has filter as well. I guess that means I will keep the front 200 mm fan to be the intake.

Just one question, if you have so many fans for exhaust (140 mm + 240 mm exhaust vs 200 mm intake), wouldn't you have negative pressure inside the casing leading to dust buildup?

 

[ClimaCool]

Bump for more answers!

 

[Toby88]

My 2 cents...

There is no such thing as zero dust dust built up. Most of my fans in my chassis have filters on them, and they all become dusty after about 1-2 weeks.

As for maintenance, it really depends on how 'ocd' you are about cleaning. For me, I wipe the surface of my chassis every night. Weekends I will clean my filters. Every 4 months I will clean the internals. Every year, deep cleaning which entails taking out everything to clean.

Positive pressure works well...But you still have to clean out the dust. Anyway, what filters do is basically block out big chunks of dust. The finer grains of dust are still being circulated (hence settling in the internals).

Generally, filters are a must for intake fans, exhaust fans are not really needed (you can put it on the intake side if you want). If you have pets (ie. dogs, cats, furry animals), then all the more precaution you have to take.

 

[kandinsky]

A bit off-topic, but if TS really wants to reduce dust build up in your comp, one suggestion is consider getting an airpurifier in the room where your comp is. It really reduces the amount of dust in the room overall. Instead of going into your comp, it will go into the air purifier. Haha.

I noticed this when I got one for haze some years back and noticed that the air con filters for that room had *significantly* reduced dust-buildup.

 

[koroshiya8]

Got zero dust de... The Noctua industrial model.. Really no dust after using for a few weeks.. Impressive.

 

[ClimaCool]

Bought 2 Corsair fans to put into the build!

1 x Corsair SP140 Red LED (Quiet Edition)
Specs
Airflow - 49.49 cfm
Speed - 1440 rpm
Sound - 29.3 dBA
Static Pressure - 1.17 mm / H2O
Connection - 3 pin

1 x Corsair AF140 Red LED (Quiet Edition)
Specs
Airflow - 66.4 cfm
Speed - 1200 rpm
Sound - 25.5 dBA
Static Pressure - 0.80 mm / H2O
Connection - 3 pin

The sound at max voltage is a bit high for my liking but I'm hoping that some of the sound produced will cancel out each other.

Red LED because it is the lowest energy color, easier to keep the computer on at night without affecting sleep.

I also bought a Superflower Leadex Gold 550W 80 PLUS Gold PSU that has a 135 mm fan which will auto start when the temperature reaches 55 Celsius.

The Thermaltake Core v21 comes with an included Thermaltake Pure 20 fan with the following specs:

Size - 200 mm
Airflow - 129.639 cfm
Speed - 800 rpm
Sound - 28.2 dBA
Static Pressure - 0.996 mm / H2O
Connection - 3 pin

At the moment I am planning to use the Pure 20 (front with filter mesh) + SP140 (right with filter mesh) as an intake fan and the AF140 (back top) + Superflower PSU (back bottom) as exhaust fan. Assuming that the PSU fan doesn't spin, I am looking at the following:

Net Airflow = 49.49 + 129.639 - 66.4 = 112.729 cfm
Net Positive Static Pressure = 1.17 + 0.996 - 0.8 = 1.366 mm / H2O (Can I even add up airflow and static pressure this way?)

My questions to the experts here are:

1) Is the net airflow into the case a bit too much?
2) Is this configuration desirable? If not, how should I set up the fans?

Many thanks to everyone who offered advice!!

 

[trento]

i think the psu should be intaking air from bottom.

back exhaust is ok though i would use a SP fan instead of AF. the vent holes form resistance tats y.