Formula - recommendations for fan/cooling control

[Dalz01]

Hey guys,

I've just built a new rig with the Formula, NZXT X62, and Enthoo Evolv case and I'm looking for some advice on how best to set up/control the cooling. I currently have the pump connected to the AIO pump header, the Evolv pwn Fan1 connected to the CPU header, the radiator fans connected to the Evolv pwn hub, and two top and one rear exhaust fans connected to chassis headers.

AI Suite only detects 3 fans and gives me control over the CPU and one chassis, with the AIO pump shown but listed as N/A, if that makes sense.

What's the best solution for full fan control in AI Sutie and optimal cooling? I'm guessing a better PWM hub (the Evolv hub only reads off of Fan1)? I'd like to reduce the number of cables plugged into the mobo just to keep things clean, if possible.

On a side note, I get some momentary CPU temp spikes that hit the low 80s on my i7-7700k. just one core. Should I return it for an exchange?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[Dalz01]

bump

[TheFyke]

If you do some research on google you will find out that the Kaby Lake 7700k have temp spikes doing the most mundane tasks (such as just opening chrome). It has something to do with the Thermal Compound they use on the chip itself and the heat sink cover. Intel states that the temp spikes are perfectly normal, but this causes mobo fan controls to ramp the fans up and down on these spikes. It is super annoying. I have a Corsair 115i Cooler, I plugged the water pump into the AIO pump header which will keep the pump at full speed. I landed to two fans on the Cpu and Optional Cpu headers. I had to adjust the fan curve so they really wouldn't ramp up until the temps get closer to 65 degrees. This seems pretty good since while playing most games, I've never had the processor get hotter than 64 degrees. But it also depends if your O/C as well.

I plan on doing a full custom water loop, but am saving up since it will be pricey. Once I get that all setup I read its better to go off of water temperature at that point. Since with extra cooling the CPU still spikes temps. The only solution I've seen is to de-lid the chip and replace the compound with a high performance liquid metal. This requires special tools, and can be a CPU killer if your not careful.

80 seems kind of high though, I've only hit that temp when I had my CPU overclocked a bit. Are you running stock settings and getting this temperature?

[JustinThyme]

The spikes can be subdued by delidding but this also voids your warranty even though it will drop your temps quite a bit. I havent seen past 72C since I did mine.

Its no secret Im not a fan of AI suite. I gave it a shot for all of its functions and was not happy.

The best fan and pump control I have seen to date is aquaero. Its no menial investment but well worth it in the end. I control 6 fans and two pumps with it using the liquid temp as the source.

My custom desktop gadget made with their software....

[mdzcpa]

I have a similar set up (see my sig). I'm using the Corsair H115i but it sets up exactly the same as the Kraken.

I elected not to use the phanteks pwm hub and have each case fan running off the motherboard. All of the headers are pwm so using the pwn hub is not really needed. In addition, AI Suite Fan Expert does a good job (for me) controlling those fans independently on custom fan curves I've set. I like to control case pressure and airflow through independent fan management versus using the pwm hub that runs all fans at the same speed.

I plug the pump speed connector into the AIO header. That does NOT control pump speed...just reports the pump rpm, so keep that in mind. You use the Kraken software to control pump speed and fans. I suggest also plugging the rad fans into the Kraken rad fan leads for control through the Kraken software.

In a nut shell, you can run your case fans through Fan Expert, while controlling pump speed and rad fans though Kraken software. I don't plug anything into the CPU or CPU ext headers. No need.

In the Evolv, things can get toasty. The top of the case is not well vented. This leads to slightly higher temps than you might expect. But as is discussed already, the 7700k is a hot running chip to begin with. Keep it under 85c and your fine. To best control the heat in the Evolv, I suggest you run 2 140mm intakes in front, and 1 140mm exhaust. Radiator for the cpu cooler goes up top. Center the radiator in the radiator tray front to back. Block off the empty space between the radiator and the front of the case. Any material will suffice. This prevents hot air from recirculating from that opening back into the case after exiting the radiator. Leave the back space open. That allows some air flow out that will 1) improve the flow of air through the rad due to lower back pressure in the top of the case (that results if you block both open spaces in the radiator tray), and 2) allows the hot air that is pushed down to be evacuated from the case by the rear exhaust fan. This set up does not completely cool the top of the Evolv, but it does reduce the temperature op top and and improves loaded CPU temps. I was able to lower my loaded CPU temps from mid 80s to 78-80c with this set up.

[Dalz01]

Thanks for all of your input! I've read up on the 7700k's - seems like a pretty blatant flaw in their manufacturing. I may give delidding a shot, though I'm still undecided. I'd be interested in your opinions based on my numbers below. (Also, it seems that this is widespread enough that exchanging the CPU would most likely not help unless I got really lucky, right?)

I forgot to mention that I am running an auto-overclock at 4800MHz. According to the CAM software, my average temps are:

- CPU idle: low 30s
- CPU load: 60s-70s
(The random spike on one of the cores hits the low to mid 80s for just a split second and then drops back down to be in line with the other cores. This happens at idle and under load.)
- Liquid temp idle: low to mid 30s
- Liquid temp load: mid to high 40s
- GPU idle: mid 50s
- GPU load: mid 70s

Aquaero looks pretty awesome, JustinThyme. I may look into something like that, but I'm hoping to get decent temp/fan control in the meantime. I have found that the Evolv does get a bit warm during long gaming sessions, like you mentioned mdzcpa. I'm a bit disappointed with that since in all of the reviews I read and watched, no one mentioned this little detail, but I have replaced all stock fans with Fractal Designs (HP on the rad, HF for top exhaust) and a Be Quiet for the rear, which does seem to help both in noise and airflow. I also did some research on front vs top mounted rads and found arguments for both, so I'm not sure which is really "best."

I'm torn about running all of the fans directly to the mobo because I'd like to keep a cleaner look (which is why I was thinking about adding a different pwm and bypassing the Evolv's all together), but it's definitely convenient to be able to access and control all of them in one app. Of course, in the end, what matters is airflow and cooling. Are the temps I've listed anything to worry about? Are there target ranges I should be shooting for with this setup and OC? These aren't the lowest temps, but they seem to be within safe parameters. If I can improve them with some tweaks to how the fans are connected that would be great. I'll try switching some of the connectors and headers as suggested and see if that gives me some better control.

I appreciate your feedback. Feel free to jump in if anyone has any other thoughts/suggestions.

[brbi76]

Try Argus monitor.
http://www.argotronic.com/en/