I have a strange theory.

MPX309 · February 10

Ok in my case sometimes I run an AIO (280 front mounted intake set to pull to be precise)
and other times as documented below I run an air cooler.

When I use the AIO I have my top fans set to exhaust, since a lot of the air that comes in from the rad isn't that cool now, better to just get it out, using fan curves to make sure the pressure isn't negative.
However, when I have the air cooler installed I like to set my top fans to intake. And the reason for this is, I see the AIO a little bit as a mid exhaust fan, so any heat that does come off the GPU will just get soaked up by the AIO
Setting the fans to intake (I like to have one inline with the cooler and one in front) I feel just helps keep the VRM and ram cool aswell.

Anyone else use this theory or am I just speaking waffle?

Shimejii · February 10

Your hardware is not generating enough heat to really matter with a 3600. Also sounds like you go through a lot of thermal paste o.o

RokinAmerica · February 10

Have you recorded temps with each setup? That would give a good indication of how this is doing. I would record temps for everything, to make sure if something is cooler here, that something else over there isn't gaining heat.

I would be concerned that the air cooled 4 intake/1 exhaust might actually hold heat in more.

NorKris · February 10

i have a theory that this is 100% true:

2 hours ago, Shimejii said:

Also sounds like you go through a lot of thermal paste o.o

and not this:

2 hours ago, RokinAmerica said:

I would be concerned that the air cooled 4 intake/1 exhaust might actually hold heat in more.

RevGAM · February 11

19 hours ago, RokinAmerica said:

Have you recorded temps with each setup? That would give a good indication of how this is doing. I would record temps for everything, to make sure if something is cooler here, that something else over there isn't gaining heat.

Do this.