The Art of Airflow - why I will never move from large PC Cases and Air Cooling
The Importance of Airflow in a PC Case
Airflow is the movement of air through a PC case, which helps to cool down the components inside and prevent overheating. Overheating can cause performance issues, system instability, and even damage to the hardware. Therefore, having good airflow is essential for maintaining a healthy and efficient PC.
There are two main factors that affect the airflow in a PC case: the fans and the case design. Fans are responsible for creating positive or negative pressure inside the case, which determines how air enters and exits the case. Positive pressure means that more air is pushed into the case than out, while negative pressure means that more air is pulled out of the case than in. Ideally, you want to have a balanced pressure that allows enough fresh air to enter and enough hot air to exit.
Case design also plays a role in airflow, as it determines how much space there is for air to flow through, how many vents and openings there are for air intake and exhaust, and how well the components are arranged to avoid blocking the airflow. Generally speaking, larger cases have more space for airflow than smaller cases, and cases with mesh panels have more openings for airflow than cases with solid panels.
Why Large Cases are Better than Small Ones
One of the advantages of large cases is that they can accommodate more fans, which means more airflow and more cooling potential. Large cases can also fit larger radiators, heatsinks, and water blocks, which can provide better cooling for high-end components like CPUs and GPUs. Additionally, large cases have more room for cable management, which can improve airflow by reducing clutter and obstruction.
Another benefit of large cases is that they can support more components and expansion options. Large cases can fit more drives, memory modules, PCIe cards, and other peripherals than small cases. This can increase the performance, functionality, and versatility of your PC. Moreover, large cases can offer more features and aesthetics, such as RGB lighting, tempered glass panels, dust filters, sound dampening materials, and so on.
Airflow Physics and Why a Case Must Have a Mesh Top with Fans
Airflow physics is the science of how air behaves when it flows through a PC case. Air behaves like a fluid, meaning it flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The pressure difference is created by the fans, which either push or pull air through the case. The airflow also depends on the shape and size of the case, the position and orientation of the fans, the arrangement of the components, and the ambient temperature.
One of the principles of airflow physics is that hot air rises and cold air sinks. This means that hot air tends to accumulate at the top of the case, while cold air tends to stay at the bottom. Therefore, having a mesh top with fans can help to exhaust the hot air out of the case more efficiently than having a solid top. A mesh top also allows more fresh air to enter the case from above, which can improve the cooling performance.
Another principle of airflow physics is that air flows faster through narrow spaces than through wide spaces. This means that having a mesh top with fans can create a higher pressure difference between the inside and outside of the case than having a solid top. A higher pressure difference can increase the airflow speed and volume, which can enhance the cooling effect.
Another thing is testing airflow, not many people actually test airflow with smoke etc. to see how airflow goes in pc. I advise do some calculations how much air your pc can intake and exhaust. Also its is recommended to use pc cases with large intake with 3 fans or some monster cases like Corsair 1000D with 4 fans, even if it is case for watercooling custom loops it can be used as pure airflow case!
Why Air Cooling is Better than Water Cooling
Air cooling and water cooling are two common methods of cooling a PC. Air cooling uses fans and heatsinks to transfer heat from the components to the surrounding air, while water cooling uses pumps, tubes, radiators, and water blocks to transfer heat from the components to a liquid coolant.
Air cooling has several advantages over water cooling. First of all, air cooling is cheaper and easier to install than water cooling. Air cooling does not require any additional parts or maintenance besides replacing or cleaning the fans occasionally. Water cooling requires more components and fittings, which can increase the cost and complexity of installation. Water cooling also requires regular maintenance such as refilling or replacing the coolant, checking for leaks or corrosion, cleaning or flushing the system, etc.
Secondly, air cooling is safer and more reliable than water cooling. Air cooling does not pose any risk of leakage or spillage that could damage your PC or cause electrical hazards. Air cooling also does not depend on any moving parts besides the fans, which are less likely to fail than pumps or tubes. Water cooling relies on pumps to circulate the coolant through the system, which could malfunction or break down over time. Water cooling also involves tubes that could kink or burst under pressure or heat.
Thirdly, air cooling is quieter and more energy-efficient than water cooling. Air cooling only uses fans to generate noise, which can be reduced by using high-quality or low-speed fans, or by using fan controllers or software to adjust the fan speed. Water cooling uses both fans and pumps to generate noise, which can be harder to control or reduce. Water cooling also consumes more power than air cooling, as it requires electricity to run the pumps and the fans. This is silent problem which shops, seller and even consumers dont like to talk, but over time pump gets really louder. Its more complicated mechanism and small, you cant trick physics. Components are more fragile and complicated in pump than in normal fan.
There are alot of fan types depending on blade shape, i chose for my build those:
140mm Arctic P4 PWM PST 5-pack
along with stock Phanteks Enthoo Pro case 200mm front case fan and stock back fan.
Why I aircooled mine i9 13900 Non-K Version and dont even consider AIO
The i9 13900 is a high-end CPU from Intel’s 13th generation Raptor Lake series. It features 24 cores (8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores) and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.0 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.6 GHz. It has a TDP of 65 W, which is lower than its unlocked counterpart, the i9 13900K, which has a TDP of 125 W.
The i9 13900 non-K version is better suited for air cooling than AIO (all-in-one) liquid cooling for several reasons. First of all, the i9 13900 non-K version has a lower power consumption and heat output than the i9 13900K, which means it does not require as much cooling as the latter. A good air cooler can provide adequate cooling for the i9 13900 non-K version without compromising its performance or longevity.
Secondly, the i9 13900 non-K version does not support overclocking, which means there is no need to use AIO liquid cooling to achieve higher clock speeds or voltages. AIO liquid cooling is mainly beneficial for overclocked CPUs that generate more heat and need more cooling headroom. The i9 13900 non-K version can run at its maximum boost clock of 5.6 GHz with air cooling, as long as the airflow and ambient temperature are optimal.
Thirdly, the i9 13900 non-K version is more compatible and convenient with air cooling than AIO liquid cooling. Air cooling does not require any extra space or mounting points in the case, unlike AIO liquid cooling that needs a radiator and fans to be installed. Air cooling also does not have any compatibility issues with RAM modules or PCIe cards, unlike AIO liquid cooling that could interfere with them due to its tubes or water blocks. Air cooling also does not have any maintenance or leakage issues, unlike AIO liquid cooling that could require periodic cleaning or refilling, or could cause damage if it leaks.
Overclocking mania - side topic that must be touched
Overclocking is the process of increasing the operating frequency of a computer component, such as a central processing unit (CPU), beyond its stock frequency or rated speed. Overclocking can offer some performance benefits, but it also comes with many drawbacks and risks. In this article, we will discuss why overclocking CPUs is not worth it anymore in the modern era of computing.
The Pros of Overclocking CPUs
The main benefit of overclocking a CPU is to increase system performance by increasing its execution speed. By increasing the clock speed, you can boost the overall performance of the CPU, which can result in faster data processing and more efficient multitasking. This can be especially useful for gamers who want to run demanding games at higher settings and frame rates.
Another benefit of overclocking a CPU is that it can be a cost-effective solution for improving the performance of an older or lower-end CPU. You can achieve a noticeable increase in performance without having to spend money on a new and more powerful CPU. You can also customize your CPU’s performance to your specific needs and preferences by adjusting the clock speed and other settings.
The Cons of Overclocking CPUs
However, overclocking a CPU also has many disadvantages and risks that outweigh the benefits. Some of the major drawbacks of overclocking a CPU are:
- Heat generation: Overclocking a CPU generates a lot of heat, which can damage the internal components of your computer if not properly managed. You will need to invest in specialized cooling solutions, such as water coolers or high-end fans, to handle the increased heat generation. Otherwise, you may experience system instability, crashes, or even permanent hardware failure.
- Power requirements: Overclocking a CPU also increases its power consumption, which can put additional stress on your system’s power supply and other components. You may need to upgrade your power supply or other parts to support the overclocked CPU. Otherwise, you may encounter power issues, such as voltage drops, brownouts, or blackouts.
- System instability: Overclocking a CPU can also cause it to become unstable and unreliable. You may encounter various problems, such as errors, glitches, freezes, or blue screens of death. You may also lose data or damage your files due to unexpected crashes or shutdowns. You will need to test and monitor your system carefully to ensure its stability and safety.
- Compatibility issues: Overclocking a CPU can also cause compatibility problems with other components in your system, such as the motherboard, memory, or graphics card. You may need to adjust or update your BIOS settings or drivers to support the overclocked CPU. Otherwise, you may face performance issues, conflicts, or incompatibilities.
- Warranty void: Overclocking a CPU can also void your warranty from the manufacturer or seller. If you overclock your CPU and encounter any problems or damages, you will not be able to claim any warranty service or support. You will have to bear the full responsibility and cost of repairing or replacing your CPU or other affected components.
Why not?
In conclusion, overclocking a CPU is not worth it anymore in the modern era of computing. The performance gains are minimal and marginal compared to the drawbacks and risks involved. Modern CPUs are fast enough already and do not benefit much from overclocking. Overclocking can only affect your CPU performance and not other components that may be slow or bottlenecking your system. Overclocking can also cause various problems and damages that can compromise your system’s stability, reliability, safety, and warranty.
Therefore, we recommend that you avoid overclocking your CPU unless you have a valid reason and sufficient knowledge and experience. Instead, you should focus on optimizing your system’s performance by using other methods, such as upgrading your hardware, updating your software, cleaning your system, or tweaking your settings. These methods are safer, easier, cheaper, and more effective than overclocking your CPU.
The only cpus worth overclocking are really Xeon's and Threadrippers, because they gain alot by this, plus timing in those workhorses for doing task is crucial more than wattage!
Pricing!
Phanteks Enthoo Pro:
Conclusion
In conclusion, airflow is an important factor for cooling a PC case, and having a large case with a mesh top and fans can improve the airflow and the cooling performance. Air cooling is a better option than water cooling for most PC users, as it is cheaper, easier, safer, quieter, and more energy-efficient. The i9 13900 non-K version is a powerful CPU that can run well with air cooling, as it has a lower TDP, does not support overclocking, and is more compatible and convenient with air cooling than AIO liquid cooling. For me Aio is for small scale pc with not top tier components to save space. Still if you only can move away from overpriced small scale cases, its boards and aio which are currently fashion pushed by yt and influencers, those are just heat generators, overpriced with minimal material (cheaper to make) which is absolutely crazy. Hope you will try also your builds in large pc cases and see how fun it can be!
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