AIO Rad in top or front Question....

AMB73 · 28 Nov 2018 at 13:59

Hey all, running the rig in my sig and just wondered what the general consensus was on the placement of an AIO radiator?

Currently have mine on the front with 4 x 140mm push pull configuration. Other than 1 other 120mm intake case fan in the bottom i have no other intake and am concerned that once the rad heats up a bit its then blowing warm air into my case.

If i place the rad in the top i will then be blowing warm air from the case over the rad...

Not entirely sure which option is better to be honest and would appreciate a little professional input.

Thanks.

Dirk Diggler · 28 Nov 2018 at 15:06

Radiator on top, fans blowing air out. Install a couple of fans on the front, sucking air in.

LePhuronn · 28 Nov 2018 at 16:24

Or rad on top, fans drawing air in - that way your CPU cooler gets fresh air from outside. Pair that with an exhaust fan at the back to draw the warm AIO air out immediately. Still install a couple of fans in the front drawing air in so your GPU and motherboard has fresh air too.

Ross Thomson · 28 Nov 2018 at 16:54

at front as an intake. With push pull you will have plenty of air coming in.

SupraWez · 28 Nov 2018 at 17:09

I went rad at top with mine pushing air out, front pulling air in and rear also pushing air out.

Baden · 28 Nov 2018 at 17:34

There are lots of different opinions on what is best, all have similar results. I personally have the radiator on top and pulling fresh air in from the top, front fans pulling air in and rear fan as exhaust. Just because i can with the case i have i'm able to have two fans on the bottom pushing air out too.

AMB73 · 28 Nov 2018 at 17:55

Cheers for the input guys.

I have now switched the rad to the top with 2 x 140mm exhaust blowing through the rad, 1 x 120mm rear exhaust and 3 x 120mm intake in the front.

Was initially concerned with the rad in the front as it was blowing warmer air onto my 2080ti, the GPU temps have now decreased which is a good result.

Removing the push pull from the rad has had no effect at all and CPU temps remain the same as before so all in all a fairly positive result.

Petrolhead · 30 Nov 2018 at 13:26

Have a look at this, may help

Shashman · 31 Dec 2018 at 12:14

Cheers for that video, very handy!
I've just bought a sexy white Deepcool Captain 120EX AiO and wasn't sure where to mount it. Front mounted it is then

Heisenberg · 31 Dec 2018 at 12:18

Was about to say Bitwit done a good video about it. Mostly comes down to style of GPU from what I remember.

Ross Thomson · 31 Dec 2018 at 12:28

except that has nothing to do with rad placement but wither the fans are exhausting air (at the top) or inlet (front). if the top rad was an inlet it would not be affected by hot air in the case.

cms239 said:
Have a look at this, may help

MrMD · 31 Dec 2018 at 14:04

it all depends on your case you are using a somewhat on what other hardware you have crammed in there

Some rules of thumb

Intake on the front=Good for cpu temps but worse for ambient case and gpu temp
Exhaust on top= average all round usually,gonna end up recycling some of gpu heat up into the rad in most circumstances
Intake on top= Good for Cpu,ambient case and gpu temps however will depend on how the rest of your airflow is setup.

Imo if you can do it intake on top is always the best,make sure you have a nice strong exhaust fan and some decent intakes at the front and it will be the best option in any decent case

andy_mk3 · 31 Dec 2018 at 14:19

I run my rad in the top as exhaust. Keeps case temps very cool which helps the GPU. Both CPU and GPU temps have always been brilliant for me.

Shashman · 31 Dec 2018 at 14:53

I have a 120mm intake on the front, 140mm exhaust on the rear and will put my 120mm rad on front

Petrolhead · 23 Dec 2020 at 11:05

The vid was interesting a changed my mind where I am would put the rad for an AIO

In case you cant be bothered to watch the vid here are the results

Ross Thomson · 23 Dec 2020 at 11:41

both would have to be either exhaust or intake to compare.

MikeTimbers · 24 Dec 2020 at 19:37

unless you have pretty fans that you want to be able to see you are better off having them sucking air through the rad as this makes cleaning the radiator incredibly simple. (it makes no difference to airflow)