Gap between fans and radiator?

[PlayModeOn]

Hello.

 

I wanted to do watercooling but I have a concern.

My case is the Cooler Master HAF XM and I want to have the radiator and fans above the motherboard.

 

Using this picture, I want to put the fans below the frames where the motherboard is and the radiator above the frame so its a push setup.. But the concern is the frame would create a small gap between the fans and the radiator. Would that impact cooling performance and airflow? If this is a pull setup it will would just suck the air from the gap and not from the radiator. I am not sure if it really impacts a push setup because all we just need to do is push air through the radiator right?

Is there a way to eliminate this gap? Like foam or something? Or this is not necessary and it's fine?

 

If it helps I am interested in the AIO Cooler Master Nepton 280L which is ofcourse a 280 radiator with 2x 140mm fans.

 

 

Thanks!

PS: The picture is not mine. But it is the same case as mine. 

 

EDIT: Here is a gasket http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=&id2=432&bid=&sid=226687

Should I buy one?

[WoodenMarker]

The gap can affect performance but I wouldn't worry that much about it. 

[AlwaysFSX]

It's not necessary to try and close the gap, the air won't really escape through it and cause a noticeable impact on cooling performance.

[Lays]

You could buy a small thing of weather stripping, or radiator gaskets and seal the gap between the case & radiator and case & fans if you're really anal about it, but it shouldn't make to much of a difference if there's a small gap.  Maybe something like 1-4 degrees give or take.

 

Keep in mind using the weather stripping or radiator gaskets may mean you can't screw the screws in as far, so you'll have to double check to make sure things are firmly secured.

[PlayModeOn]

It's not necessary to try and close the gap, the air won't really escape through it and cause a noticeable impact on cooling performance.

So basically as long as the fans are pushing air through the rad it won't matter?

I am going to use Noctua 3000RPM fans because I like it and it is known for very straight and "tunnel-like" airflow.

[Peter Vaughan Truslow]

if you had some sort of seal making it so that all the air pushed into the cavity between them could only escape through the radiator, it might actually improve performance a tiny bit because air could go through the rad at the fan motor.

just a theory on that last part, but possible.

[PlayModeOn]

You could buy a small thing of weather stripping, or radiator gaskets and seal the gap between the case & radiator and case & fans if you're really anal about it, but it shouldn't make to much of a difference if there's a small gap.  Maybe something like 1-4 degrees give or take.

 

Keep in mind using the weather stripping or radiator gaskets may mean you can't screw the screws in as far, so you'll have to double check to make sure things are firmly secured.

Yes I am planning to use a 3mm gasket. I am sure it is squeezable (foam?) so maybe the screws can still reach, but I'll check for sure. Its only like $2.

[PlayModeOn]

if you had some sort of seal making it so that all the air pushed into the cavity between them could only escape through the radiator, it might actually improve performance a tiny bit because air could go through the rad at the fan motor.

just a theory on that last part, but possible.

What if I just have Noctua fans which are known for "tunnel-like" airflow anyway? Or the air will just still escape through the gap?

 

EDIT: Here is a gasket http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=&id2=432&bid=&sid=226687

Should I go for it?

[Peter Vaughan Truslow]

What if I just have Noctua fans which are known for "tunnel-like" airflow anyway? Or the air will just still escape through the gap?

 

EDIT: Here is a gasket http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=&id2=432&bid=&sid=226687

Should I go for it?

I personally would try just normally and if I felt a lot of air coming out around the perimeter I would then buy the gasket. definitely a good idea but I'm bad at spending money.

if I did it, I would probably put one on each side if that makes sense, especially when the cost is less than the shipping.

[PlayModeOn]

I personally would try just normally and if I felt a lot of air coming out around the perimeter I would then buy the gasket. definitely a good idea but I'm bad at spending money.

if I did it, I would probably put one on each side if that makes sense, especially when the cost is less than the shipping.

That shop is only 5mins from my place so it's all good.

And it's just $2 (Australian dollar), so if you convert that to American it is really cheap.