This is my 1st build in years... since the early 90's. Lots of stuff has changed. This was my first time worrying about cpu coolers
I've used the Sweet Spot config as a starting point - sort of.
case: nzxt h2
mb: Asus Z87-A
cpu: i5-4570
memory: 16GB (Corsair Vengeance)
cpu cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus (just the default 1 fan)
video: haven't decided on a new card yet. at this point I'm just using the built in. I may just move my HD 5870 from my old pc. I'm not posting about this.
case fans: just the default ones on the H2 - 2 120mm front intakes blowing across the HD bays, 1 120mm exhaust top back.
I had a conflict between the height of the ram and the fan on the cpu cooler. Just like the TR video, I've placed the fan on the other side (so blowing back to front through the heatsink).
Environment: so far during the testing the room air temps have been low to mid 70's but since I don't have A/C the summer temps commonly reach mid 80s and sometimes higher.
I've built the system (minus video card) and to stress test the cpu cooling I've used Prime95 and Open Hardware Monitor to watch temps. With the case open, I saw cpu temps max at 51c, with the case closed it maxed at 60c. Playing around with the bios fan settings can lower that (since by default it doesn't max the cpu fan until 70c). Also boosting the H2's case fan speed from low also helps. I haven't yet installed the asus fan software.
Given my warm to hot summer environment, I'm a bit concerned:
1) I haven't added the video card (with its large heat footprint) yet
2) the case exhaust fan is just 2-3 inches from the cpu cooler fan and they are blowing in opposite directions - this can't be good when the fan speeds increase.
3) I'd like to be able to keep the noise low.
I've been thinking of adding a top exhaust fan (the case has an opening for a 140mm) and a bottom intake (120mm iirc). While I'm sure the top fan will help, it would be placed just inches above the cpu cooler and the current rear exhaust fan. Would the 2 exhaust fans make the cpu cooler's fan less efficient - since it is blowing towards the front of the case? Enough to worry about?
Another option would be to also change the cpu cooler to one that wouldn't conflict with the ram.
Thoughts?