Case and heatsink fans

[Forde]

Looking to get some cheap but good fans for my case (Thermaltake V3 Black Edition). I'm thinking one intake, one exhaust, 2 for push-pull on my Xigmatek Gaia SD1283.

I'm not in the US, can't use Newegg. Here's the Yate Loon I'm considering:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150988783924

Questions:

1) Are the Yate Loon fans a good choice for their low price? Do you advise me to buy them?

2) Is it a good idea to replace the boxed Xigmatek heatsink fan with 2 (maybe even 1) D12SH-12 Yate Loons in push-pull?

3) Is it enough to have 1 Yate Loon fan in push, and leave the Xigmatek fan in pull? Or should I use 2 Yate Loon fans?

4) Now my Gigabyte 970A-UD3 has only 1 CPU FAN header. Can I use my 2 push-pull fans on this header using a splitter? I only have 2 CASE FAN headers, want to keep these for the case fans... can I use the PWM header for 1 of my CPU cooling fans?

5) How do you apply thermal paste when using an aftermarket heatsink? I know the normal method is the "pea" method on the CPU die itself... so why are people applying thermal paste to the aftermarket heatsink and spreading it?? Which is the right method??

Thanks

 

[dma0991]

1. Yes. YL fans are decent for its price.
2. No. I still use my stock Corsair fans. Only replace them if you've used them and they're too loud to your liking.
3. Test it out to see which works best. Doesn't make much of a difference.
4. You can buy a Y-splitter for the fan headers. Preferably only occupy the CPU_FAN header with the fan from the CPU heatsink.
5. There is no right or wrong way. Each method has its purpose for different heatsink base. If you're using heatsink with a smooth base, pea method works.

 

[Forde]

Thanks,

#4:

Will a Y splitter for my 2 CPU fans hinder their performance? I'm getting the D12SH-12, which are the high speed versions. I want to be able crank up the fan speeds to their maximum for the overclocking of my FX-4170.

#5

Found a sticky article around here discussing this. Apparently 2 lines between the copper heatpipes is the best for my situation.

Another question:

Should I be concerned with Yate Loon high speed fans burning out the fan headers on my motherboard (Gigabyte 970A-UD3)? Must I get a fan controller instead?

Thanks

 

[TheGrapist]

I don't think you'd have any problems running those fans from your mobo,might want to wait for someone to confirm but i'd bet it could handle the fans fine

 

[dma0991]

Depends. No one knows for sure as manufacturer's don't list the maximum amperage of their fan headers and it varies from one to another. Chances are, it will handle the YL fans no problem. Even if doesn't support, it won't burn it out and the fans will just never run at its maximum speed.

TIM application depends on what heatsink base you have. The old CM Hyper212+ has a HDT base with aluminum spacers that has gaps. 2 line method works here as the gaps can be filled with TIM as it spreads. The newer HDT without spacers on the CM Hyper212 Evo has no gaps so the pea method works. Less is more, too much TIM and it reacts like an insulator.

 

[Forde]

Depends. No one knows for sure as manufacturer's don't list the maximum amperage of their fan headers and it varies from one to another. Chances are, it will handle the YL fans no problem. Even if doesn't support, it won't burn it out and the fans will just never run at its maximum speed.

TIM application depends on what heatsink base you have. The old CM Hyper212+ has a HDT base with aluminum spacers that has gaps. 2 line method works here as the gaps can be filled with TIM as it spreads. The newer HDT without spacers on the CM Hyper212 Evo has no gaps so the pea method works. Less is more, too much TIM and it reacts like an insulator.

Thanks!

Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 here, got it for $38 shipped vs the Hyper 212 EVO $58 shipped. The Gaia has a similar base to the Hyper 212+, so I'll use the 2 line method then. Thought well since I saved $20 on a heatsink, why not to get a couple of good fans in push-pull to further improve its performance (maybe beat a stock Hyper 212 EVO too).

As for thermal paste, I believe the Gaia comes with that packaged... however, I do have some Arctic Silver 5 lying around, should I use that instead?

One more thing I forgot to include. I heard that not all Yate Loon fans are made the same. I only have 2 options to choose from: Xoxide and Ebay, both ship to Saudi. Which one should I go for?

http://www.xoxide.com/yate-loon-highspeed-120.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150988783924

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Not all YLs are made the same but they both do exactly the same thing. They're just miniscule differences. Choose whichever is cheaper.

 

[3DEC3]

I'm looking for a good cpu fan myself.