Fan Orientation

[PhysicalVocalist]

So I recently got myself a 360mm AIO for my CPU, and I am VERY happy with it (pics to follow).  I currently have it blowing air out of my case, and two front mounted 140mm fans as intake.  My question now that I am wondering about, is am I doin it rite?  I originally set it up in this fashion for two reasons.  

1. I didn't want to have to worry about getting dust underneath the fans on the radiator by using it as intake in push-configuration
2. My case isn't big enough for a front mounted 360 rad
3. I only had one other fan on the back as an exhaust

Now I'm wondering if I should change the fans around so they too draw cooler air into the case, making it more effective at cooling my CPU, or keep it how it is because I've only got one open air GPU that doesn't seem to add too much heat to the case as a whole.  

Thoughts anyone?  I'd appreciate anything you have to offer.  

 

Here's a few pictures as promised.  

[Himommies]

Imo not worth the hassle of taking the AIO out

[PhysicalVocalist]

I can take it out no problem, the only hassle is reattaching the rad, fans, and radiator bracket back together because one set of screws combines all three of those things.  

I'm willing to make the effort if it would be worth it, plus it would cut down on noise since I could turn my front intake fans way down.

[Himommies]

11 minutes ago, PhysicalVocalist said:

I can take it out no problem, the only hassle is reattaching the rad, fans, and radiator bracket back together because one set of screws combines all three of those things.  

I'm willing to make the effort if it would be worth it, plus it would cut down on noise since I could turn my front intake fans way down.

Its not worth it

[PhysicalVocalist]

Why not?  Just because of the hassle?  Or will it not make much of an improvement?  Too much positive air pressure?  I'd like some more information if you can elaborate.

[Himommies]

14 minutes ago, PhysicalVocalist said:

Why not?  Just because of the hassle?  Or will it not make much of an improvement?  Too much positive air pressure?  I'd like some more information if you can elaborate.

Not much improvement,not worth your time

[Arcanekitten]

it's fine as it is. both have advantages one side you get "cooler air" into the case but it's already being trough the rad and on the other side you can remove dust easily.

I would just leave it as is it's fine either way. 

[PhysicalVocalist]

14 hours ago, Arcanekitten said:

it's fine as it is. both have advantages one side you get "cooler air" into the case but it's already being trough the rad and on the other side you can remove dust easily.

I would just leave it as is it's fine either way. 

That makes sense.  Alright, thanks!

[Janner558]

Are you able to move the gpu up to the 16x slot at the top? As you lose bandwidth the further down the slots go (8x for example) but I'm not to sure if I'm right 

[PhysicalVocalist]

I could, yes.  In all honesty I used to have it in the top slot, but I didn't like how close the backplate was to the tubing, might have even been touching, so I moved it down.  I don't think I've noticed any serious decrease in gaming performance however...this card was never too good at overclocking anyway, it gets artifacty sometimes even at 2000MHz.

[PhysicalVocalist]

On 3/29/2017 at 11:20 AM, Janner558 said:

Are you able to move the gpu up to the 16x slot at the top? As you lose bandwidth the further down the slots go (8x for example) but I'm not to sure if I'm right 

Looking more closely though, my mobo definitely has "pcie x8" next to the slot it's plugged into, though the card fits just fine.  It might just be a lower bandwidth lane for all I know, but I think I will move it back up to the top slot just in case.  Thanks for noticing that.

[asand1]

If the top of the case is the only place it'll fit, then exhaust only. Heat rises, trying to push it down will result in less efficient cooling. Ideally you would have the rad intaking in the front and fans exhausting at the top.

[0ld_Chicken]

6 hours ago, asand1 said:

If the top of the case is the only place it'll fit, then exhaust only. Heat rises, trying to push it down will result in less efficient cooling. Ideally you would have the rad in taking in the front and fans exhausting at the top.

I have been told so many times that this is wrong because we are actively moving air... but I think you're 100% right actually.  I tried the opposite on my last build just to try it and my liquid temps were about 3-4°c higher than "normal" (front intake, top exhaust).  Switched them around and watched the temps drop.  Could've been a couple other factors at play here, but primarily the fan direction.