Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280 and Fractal Define R6: tubes down compatability issue?

[b1k3rdude]

So am looking at upgrading my CPU cooling from a Noctua NH-D15 to an ALFII 280, my case is a define R6 and mobo is a Msi Ace X570. And I have an optical drive fitted at the top of the case. The plan was to mount the rad on the front of the case for the following reasons -

• The rad is 2-3x as thick as traditional AIO, meaning it would run the risk of fowling on my VRM heatsinks. The 2x 140mm AC P14 fans that are in there atm only just clear the tops of the VRM sinks.
• Its been shown by multiple site and YT channels that front mounting an AIO not only give good CPU thermals, but more importantly good case/mobo thermals.
• And lastly as per Steve@GN's report showing how not to mount AIO's, I want to mount it tubes down.

I checked the AC website and the hose length is only 450mm for ALL the rad sizes, which is very short sighted. As it is, I think with a 240/280 the hoses would have to go over the top of the gfx card, so my question is has anyone got a Fractal Define (any iteration) or other similar case and a ALFII fitted tubes-down? and if so can you posts some photos? I did do a search (see below) but non had any relevant info to my issue -

 

- https://linustechtips.com/search/?q=Arctic Liquid Freezer II&quick=1

 

thanks.

 

nb. The 450mm hose length makes fitting the 360/420 in the front of a case impossible imho, as the hoses would not be long enough to go over the card and would instead fowl on the gfx card.

[narrdarr]

So a few things here. 

1st

if it doesn't reach it's ok. Just mount the aio in the best way components will allow.

2nd

If you really want to see an improvement in your cooling. I recommend a new case over get an aio. The d15 can outperform 240 aio and can trade blows with a 280 depending on the aio, case and config.

 

 

[freeagent]

I agree, you can move air in a big define, but you need crazy fans. Grab yourself a case like the Meshify C and you will be a happy camper. It’s a small case that can move a ton of air if you have good fans.

[b1k3rdude]

Regarding the mounting, there are only 2 locations in this case I can mount an AIO, and I have already commented on that.

 

Regarding the D15 trading blows with the 280, all the reviews I have seen so far show the 280 beating the D15 on idle and load temps if only by a small margin. But what I am seeing hope will be the case for me, it having the 280 will allow the 5900 to maintain a higher boost than I am getting on the D15 for my various workloads.

 

And regarding my temps, my 3700 and 5900 both have temps if 29c/63c (room amb. 24c) in this case, so I have enough airflow.

 

Regarding the case, while the Meshify is a good case - 

1. I prefer the balance of cooling and noise levels I get from the DefineR6.
2. The Meshify is basically the same case, I will run into the same tube-down issue.

I guess I should rephrase the question from the OP, does anyone who owns an ALFII have it mounted tubes down? if so can you post a photo.

[Jeppes]

Just put a 240/360 on roof.

[narrdarr]

What gpu is being used?

[b1k3rdude]

1 hour ago, Jeppes said:

Just put a 240/360 on roof.

  Please read the OP, for why I dont think that is going to work.

1 hour ago, narrdarr said:

What gpu is being used?

Gigabyte Eagle RTX3070, so its flush with the top of the PCI bracket.

[b1k3rdude]

So mounted the 280 tubes down and its perfectly fine, I did bolt the rad to the existing 2x p14 to give the hose more slack and to provide push-pull. But the rad would have mounted just fine to the case directly -

 

[narrdarr]

Looks good

[b1k3rdude]

I see no one commented on the little spot-cool fan, why Antec stop selling them I don't know (mine is 13 yrs old and still going). been trying to find a replacement for it, so would welcome recommendations/suggestions.