What's the best fan configuration for CORSAIR 3500X Series Case?

The 6500X and 2500X series PC cases are two of the most successful PC cases launched by CORSAIR. They stand out due to their unique features, performance, and aesthetics. These cases were among the first to support motherboards with reverse connectors, where all ports are located behind the motherboard rather than at the front. Additionally, they were the first PC cases from CORSAIR to feature the "Fishbowl" design, which was well-received by the PC DIY community. Both the new PC builders and seasoned veterans appreciated the well-thought-out internal and external design, as well as the customization options that allow consumers to personalize their builds based on their preferences.

After the success of the 6500 and 2500, CORSAIR didn’t wait too long to expand their line of cases featuring a wrap-around tempered glass design. They hit the market right away with another great-looking PC case targeted to a wider audience, the 3500X Series Case.

The 3500X Series Case shares the same design language as the 6500X and 2500X cases, as they all belong to the Fishbowl design family. The main difference is that the 3500X does not have the dual-chamber design found in the 6500X and 2500X cases. However, it still maintains similar aesthetics, quality, and performance. It features a wrap-around tempered glass design, excellent cooling capabilities, support for reverse connection motherboards, vertical GPU support, and more.

The 3500X case, like its predecessors, is designed to promote maximum airflow, which significantly increases the lifespan of your PC hardware. We have a recommended fan configuration for the 3500X case series that will help you maximize its cooling performance. But before we get into that, let's take a quick look at the different offerings the 3500X Series has.

Well, first, there are two color options: black and white. There are three variants you can choose from.

The 3500X can support up to a total of 10x 120mm fans, ensuring that you don’t sacrifice cooling for the stunning looks of the glass front and side panels.

This case can support a good number of fans and multiple radiator sizes in different locations. It can accommodate a 120mm radiator in the rear, 280mm and 360mm radiators in the roof, and 240mm and 360mm radiators on the side. The 3500X's wide radiator compatibility provides plenty of options for mounting radiators if you choose to build a custom water-cooling system.

As mentioned above, the 3500X can support up to 10x 120mm fans. Where are these fans' mounting points in the case?

In this mockup setup, we will be using CORSAIR iCUE LINK QX RGB 120mm fans. To learn more about QX RGB fans, check out this article, which compares QX fans to RX fans.

For most standard PC builds, this fan setup is the most optimized configuration. We recommend that (3) fans be mounted on the side of the case set as intake, including the bottom (1) fan mounted right next to the PSU shroud. As for the (3) fans in the roof and (1) rear, you want these fans configured as exhaust to pull warm air out of the case. That’s a total of 8x 120mm fans mounted already, which is more than sufficient to ensure your PC components are getting enough air

Building a PC with high-end components is excellent, but make sure to have the proper PC case, such as the 3500X, that can provide ample airflow to your components. It's essential to prioritize optimal cooling in any PC build, particularly for users who require high performance for work or gaming. Efficient airflow is the fundamental element of good cooling, as it helps swiftly and effectively remove heat produced by active components like the CPU, GPU, and PSU in the case.

The 3500X Series not only boasts an attractive design but also enhances airflow to support high-performance hardware. Proper fan configuration is crucial for optimizing airflow in this case. Be sure to explore CORSAIR’s full range of cases on our official website.