30mm thick radiator VS 45mm

[Denoxx]

Hey guys

 

I'm planning to watercool my PC and I'm going to buy a new case to do that. At the moment I'm looking at the NZXT Phantom 820, as I am a little NZXT Phantom fanboy and I loved the original Phantom. 

In the top above the mainboard is enough space to fit a 360mm radiator in there. I looked at the  Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 360mm which is a rather thick radiator with a height of 

46mm. I'm now afraid that I won't be able to put my motherboard in there, when there are fans (thought of Silverstones Airpenetrators 120mm) on the rad aswell, due to the extra thickness of the radiator.

I could exchange it to a 30mm thick rad like the Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper 360mm. 

 

1) Is there a big cooling improvement with a thicker radiator? 

2) Is it a good idea to put the fans on the inside of the radiator? I'm not quite sure if there is enough space "outside" the case/under the top-cover although the Phantom 820 is quite a big case

 

I thank you for all your answers

[M-ursu]

I have phantom 820, and i have alphacool xt45 rad in push, that is lax you can fit, to bottom you can fit alphacool 280 monsta rad.

Thick radiator is always better.

[Denoxx]

Thanks very much