Push/Pull really worth it?

[Macer]

In the attached picture I have setup my gaming PC with a new AIO in a Push/Pull configuration. 

I'm wondering if this configuration is worth it or just overkill? 

I have 3 intake fans behind the plate to the right that helps push air over the MB, combined with 3 intake fans to the mesh front. Should I keep or get rid of the Push/Pull?

My son will put the extra fans to good use if I remove

[Hinjima]

17 minutes ago, Macer said:

In the attached picture I have setup my gaming PC with a new AIO in a Push/Pull configuration. 

I'm wondering if this configuration is worth it or just overkill? 

I have 3 intake fans behind the plate to the right that helps push air over the MB, combined with 3 intake fans to the mesh front. Should I keep or get rid of the Push/Pull?

My son will put the extra fans to good use if I remove

You might see a degree or two temprature drop if you just go for push, thats about it.

It is quite overkill for most systems.

The fans would be better used in your sons build if they would improve airflow quite a bit

[Dedayog]

25 minutes ago, Macer said:

In the attached picture I have setup my gaming PC with a new AIO in a Push/Pull configuration. 

I'm wondering if this configuration is worth it or just overkill? 

I have 3 intake fans behind the plate to the right that helps push air over the MB, combined with 3 intake fans to the mesh front. Should I keep or get rid of the Push/Pull?

My son will put the extra fans to good use if I remove

You have 3 fans between the radiator and the case?  Not seeing them, but it may be the pic.

 

Short answer, not worth it.  It can provide better air movement for thicker radiators but a standard 360 is more than fine.

[Macer]

11 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

You have 3 fans between the radiator and the case?  Not seeing them, but it may be the pic.

 

 

I've 3 fans above the rad that you can't see in the picture. 

Think I'll remove them.

[aisle9]

Push/pull is really only necessary in a few specific situations:

• Thick radiators
• Weak fans
• Restricted airflow

In the first case, push/pull makes a ton of sense. In the second case, you're better off buying three good fans and using the weak ones for airflow elsewhere in your system (Arctic P12s are spectacular and cheap, if you can live without LEDs). In the third situation, I mean, don't mount your rad right behind a tempered glass panel.

[Fasauceome]

1 hour ago, Macer said:

 

I have 3 intake fans behind the plate to the right that helps push air over the MB, combined with 3 intake fans to the mesh front.

if I understand your description correctly plus the attached image, you have 6 intake fans and 4 exhaust fans. With all that airflow, I doubt you'd notice any changes in CPU temp by adding even more fans.

[freeagent]

I run push/pull for two reasons. To ensure I am getting the most airflow through my rad as possible with what I have, and to provide more airflow to the components inside of my case.

[NorKris]

you are better off moving the aio to where it shoud be;  the front  

[RevGAM]

On 1/15/2024 at 10:54 AM, Macer said:

In the attached picture I have setup my gaming PC with a new AIO in a Push/Pull configuration. 

I'm wondering if this configuration is worth it or just overkill? 

I have 3 intake fans behind the plate to the right that helps push air over the MB, combined with 3 intake fans to the mesh front. Should I keep or get rid of the Push/Pull?

My son will put the extra fans to good use if I remove

Based on your description and the photo, you don't have push- pull set up. That's a Corsair 4000 or 5000, right? You have 3 fans mounted behind the plate on the right side of the case, three more on the front, and the 3 on the AIO, plus the rear one.

 

Ideally, the AIO should be in front, intaking air with the strongest fans you have because of the resistance of the rad. Two fans on top, mounted to the rear. Then experiment with the 3 on the side to see how many are actually helping.

[Macer]

2 hours ago, RevGAM said:

Based on your description and the photo, you don't have push- pull set up. That's a Corsair 4000 or 5000, right? You have 3 fans mounted behind the plate on the right side of the case, three more on the front, and the 3 on the AIO, plus the rear one.

 

Ideally, the AIO should be in front, intaking air with the strongest fans you have because of the resistance of the rad. Two fans on top, mounted to the rear. Then experiment with the 3 on the side to see how many are actually helping.

I also have 3 above the AIO, they're hidden above the 5000 case. Thinking of removing those. 

I had the AIO mounted to the front. I found little to no difference in temps of the CPU, the GPU however was a few degrees warmer. But TBH this test was minimal. Might give it another go.

[RevGAM]

11 hours ago, Macer said:

I also have 3 above the AIO, they're hidden above the 5000 case. Thinking of removing those. 

I had the AIO mounted to the front. I found little to no difference in temps of the CPU, the GPU however was a few degrees warmer. But TBH this test was minimal. Might give it another go.

Ah, so there IS a push pull. Your OP didn't make that clear. The improvement with it depends on the fans you're using. Do a benchmark, then take off the 3 on the bottom and benchmark again. Then put them on and take off the top ones and run a benchmark. Let us know what you notice. 

[Macer]

On 1/17/2024 at 12:10 PM, RevGAM said:

Ah, so there IS a push pull. Your OP didn't make that clear. The improvement with it depends on the fans you're using. Do a benchmark, then take off the 3 on the bottom and benchmark again. Then put them on and take off the top ones and run a benchmark. Let us know what you notice. 

I'm actually going to upgrade to a 4090 with a i9 14900k. I'll move the Fans around then. It will most definitely run hotter

[thrasher_565]

if there an imorvment is VARY SMALL.... like 1c maybe... if you dont got like 65mm+ rads its not needed even then i dont think i was needed. just spend the money from fans on more rads you get way more c drop.

 

really good fan can drop temps a bit but is it better then cheap fans and 2 rads vs 1 rad and good fans.

t30 fans are like $100 witch you can buy a rad for that so... even $5 fans on it would be better.

 

but if you want it for looks that go ahead why not. some people like the look for fans on top and bottem or they want to fill in the case more.

Edited January 18 by thrasher_565

[Macer]

1 hour ago, thrasher_565 said:

if there an imorvment is VARY SMALL.... like 1c maybe... if you dont got like 65mm+ rads its not needed even then i dont think i was needed. just spend the money from fans on more rads you get way more c drop.

 

really good fan can drop temps a bit but is it better then cheap fans and 2 rads vs 1 rad and good fans.

t30 fans are like $100 witch you can buy a rad for that so... even $5 fans on it would be better.

 

but if you want it for looks that go ahead why not. some people like the look for fans on top and bottem or they want to fill in the case more.

Think Ill remove them and try the rad at the front of the case. 

[thrasher_565]

2 minutes ago, Macer said:

Think Ill remove them and try the rad at the front of the case. 

font is slighty better for cpu temps but worse for gpu and top better for gpu and wose for cpu but by like 1-2c so...

[Macer]

On 1/15/2024 at 10:11 PM, NorKris said:

you are better off moving the aio to where it shoud be;  the front  

Why do ya think the AIO is wrong being on top

[NorKris]

1 hour ago, Macer said:

Why do ya think the AIO is wrong being on top

"wrong" is a strong word, its more that its "a user inflicted higher temps" 

 

its well known where it should be for the best cooling:

in the front

[Macer]

1 hour ago, NorKris said:

"wrong" is a strong word, its more that its "a user inflicted higher temps" 

 

its well known where it should be for the best cooling:

in the front

I think case design and fan locations need to taken into account when deciding a rad location.

In my corsair 5000D case there are 6 intake fans to the front and side, in particular the 3 intake fans at the side of the case are designed to blow air directly over the MB when the fan plate is in place, This helped compensate against the few degrees higher CPU temperature you normally get from a top mounted rad from what I seen, albeit I tested this with a 240mm rad two years ago. I've not tested the 340mm I have now. 

When the rad was mounted to the front it blows hot air directly at the GPU and my test reported higher GPU temperatures while the CPU reported little or no difference. 

I'm about to update the CPU/GPU in the next few weeks, think I'll run these tests again. 

[NorKris]

1 hour ago, Macer said:

I think case design and fan locations need to taken into account when deciding a rad location.

In my corsair 5000D case there are 6 intake fans to the front and side,

then its easy to find a spot for it, and very hard to belive the GPU temps vent up 

GPUs are easy to cool, CPUs not so much  

[RevGAM]

1 hour ago, Macer said:

I think case design and fan locations need to taken into account when deciding a rad location.

In my corsair 5000D case there are 6 intake fans to the front and side, in particular the 3 intake fans at the side of the case are designed to blow air directly over the MB when the fan plate is in place, This helped compensate against the few degrees higher CPU temperature you normally get from a top mounted rad from what I seen, albeit I tested this with a 240mm rad two years ago. I've not tested the 340mm I have now. 

When the rad was mounted to the front it blows hot air directly at the GPU and my test reported higher GPU temperatures while the CPU reported little or no difference. 

I'm about to update the CPU/GPU in the next few weeks, think I'll run these tests again. 

Just a point but you bought the AIO to cool your CPU, not your GC...If you're concerned about your GC's temps, you can get a waterblock for it, or better fans (maybe). The difference between front and top mount (best temps) and tube position is a few degrees C (which is a lot in F). Check out the MSI results to see what NorKris means. Over the next couple of months, I'm redoing my testing to confirm the MSI results.

[Macer]

48 minutes ago, NorKris said:

then its easy to find a spot for it, and very hard to belive the GPU temps vent up 

GPUs are easy to cool, CPUs not so much  

I'm only talking a few degrees, nothing I was worried about. I can't remember the numbers as it was a few years ago now. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my new build in the next fews weeks.

[freeagent]

4 hours ago, NorKris said:

GPUs are easy to cool, CPUs not so much

CPUs are easy to cool too if you choose wisely

 

[IkeaGnome]

8 hours ago, NorKris said:

 

its well known where it should be for the best cooling:

If we're using something that's not relevant to computers like cars maybe the radiator on a computer should be hanging off the edge like in a space station.

[NorKris]

1 hour ago, freeagent said:

CPUs are easy to cool too if you choose wisely

 

if u pick an easy one to cool. sure 

 

59 minutes ago, IkeaGnome said:

If we're using something that's not relevant to computers like cars maybe the radiator on a computer should be hanging off the edge like in a space station.

 

overlooking the condescending part; yes you are right, having it external and as cool as possible is better 

[IkeaGnome]

Just now, NorKris said:

overlooking the condescending part; yes you are right, having it external and as cool as possible is better 

I wouldn't look over the condescending part. That's the whole point. What's right in 1 application isn't right in all applications.

See where the radiator is here? The rear of the machine. Let's start suggesting that too.

We could also place the radiator right in the middle of the case over the motherboard.

 

Just because *most* cases are designed for radiator in the front doesn't mean they all will be. Location can change depending on needs, parts and fitment issues.