CPU Cooler positioning

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 17:54

Just a general query really but I have noticed that my CPU Cooler fan is pointing downwards directly onto the back (circuit board) of my Graphics card, I guess literally a couple of centimetres in distance I have monitored the temperatures and these seem fine and never had any problems with the PC, but could this cause any problems over a period of time?

RJC · 24 Feb 2014 at 18:02

If you have a rear fan then I would be temped to turn it around so the air flow seem more fluid - Front case fan brings in fresh air - the cpu fan pushes the cooler air across the heastsink then the rear fan helps to expel the warm air.

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 18:35

As I ordered the PC pre-built I would rather they did that to be honest so as not to invalidate the warranty. I have a Storm Trooper case so it has 2 fans to the front side one on the bottom, one at the top and one at the rear. I guess when people SLI their Graphics cards you would get the hot ai blowing from the top card directly onto the back of the bottom card so in theory maybe it should be OK but does seem a bit of an oversight to position the CPU fan as they did. I think for peace of mind I should ask them to reposition the CPU fan?

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 18:42

It's not optimal, but if it's been fine for a while I might be tempted to leave it.

If you're confident of re-pasting and re-mounting the cooler then by all means do it.

edit: if you don't mind the hassle then there's no harm in asking

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 18:48

One idea I have is if I do decide to send it back as my CPU is not overclocked at the moment and my current CPU Cooler is not recommended for use in overclocking I am tempted to purchase an air cooler which can handle overclocking, should I decide to go down that route at a later stage, are there any CPU air coolers you can recommend for this? The only thing I'm slightly concerend about is whether there is enough space as obviously the X16 PCI slot is right next to the CPU and I have a large GPU, Gainward Phantom GLH GTX780

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 19:02

As that's a common issue then most of the coolers are designed around it, so you shouldn't have a problem with any of them.

Pound for pound you'll get better performance out of a high-end air cooler at equivalent price ranges, but an all-in-one watercooler like a Corsair H80 will provide very good performance and have a very small footprint on the CPU socket itself.

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 19:11

Been looking at some air coolers on OC but there is literally hundreds to choose from it would be a full time job choosing the right one. I bought the PC for my son and he does not want to go down the watercooling route, I'm not interested at the moment in overclocking as I haven't needed to at the moment but whilst I'm looking at replacing the CPU cooler I might as well look down that route. I don't think I would want to go beyond 4.2 if I do overclock and want to keep the budget at £50 or less for the cooler. Shame there are not many black and red coloured ones as that would go with the colour theme. I have a i5-4670K with a Assus Maximus Hero motherboard.

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 20:04

The K2 is one of if not the best, and is right on your price point (although is out of stock right now). The others are all more than capable.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Be Quiet! Dark Rock 3 CPU Cooler £54.95
1 x Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Dual Fan Quiet CPU Cooler £52.99
1 x Alpenföhn K2 Mount Doom CPU Cooler £49.99
1 x Be Quiet! Shadow Rock 2 CPU Cooler £34.99
Total : £202.52 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Forgot to add:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Akasa AK-CC4008HP01 Venom Voodoo CPU Cooler £44.99
Total : £54.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 21:16

Actually I think I'm stuck with the CPU Cooler I have as my RAM cards are so tall there is no way there will be enough space to accomodate an even larger CPU Cooler that may be why they positioned the CPU Cooler as it is although maybe it could be moved so that the fan points upwards. Out of interest I have four Ram slots 2 red 2 black at the moment they are inserted into the Red slots. Do you think there is any particular reason for this or could I move them to the black slots, that would at least give me a bit more room.

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 21:20

Depends on the motherboard, some have a preference for best performance. There's nothing stopping you moving them to the black instead and you probably wouldn't notice any difference. Some of those coolers provide more RAM clearance than you might think as well.

Have you got a full spec including specific RAM and motherboard?

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 21:29

Storm Trooper Case
i5-4670K
CPU Cooler Titan Tripple Copper Heatpipe
Motherboard Asus ROG Hero
RAM 2x4 Kingston Hyper X Beast 2400
Gainward Phantom GLH GTX780

hawkhench · 24 Feb 2014 at 22:04

Height of HyperX Beast memory: 46.4mm

Dark Rock 3: looks like it should fit with RAM moved over (http://www.bequiet.com/volumes/PDM/_products/bk018/bk018_dim_en.pdf)
NH-U12P: looks like it should fit with RAM moved over (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Noctua-NH-U12P-SE2-CPU-Cooler-Review/1570/4)
K2: not so sure, if you mounted the second fan on the "wrong" side in pull instead of push I reckon you might manage it (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21209478&postcount=28)
Shadow Rock 2: yes, fan can be mounted any side: (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/beQuiet/Shadow_Rock_2/4.html)
Venom Voodoo: looking like maybe not from the image in this review (http://www.legitreviews.com/akasa-venom-voodoo-heatpipe-direct-touch-cooler-review_1889/4)

Lex1970 · 24 Feb 2014 at 22:22

Excellent thank you for your reply at least there seems to be some options available to upgrade the CPU Cooler, that gives me something to think over now.