Dual Radiator orientation

trawetSluaP · 26 Feb 2026 at 15:01

I have a couple of radiators next to each other, with the fans orientated in opposite directions.

Is this OK? Or do you think it could negatively impact cooling due to lack of air in-between each rad?

Thanks.

Too Tall · 26 Feb 2026 at 20:07

It's not ideal - where do they draw the air from, is the case side panel meshed or ventilated in that location?

Can you move it to the front top/bottom?

trawetSluaP · 27 Feb 2026 at 11:12

If you look on the left hand side of the picture you can see the case has a very small vented area where air would be drawn from.

The top and bottom are already filled. I could relocate one o the rads to the front but then there'd be no cool/clean air coming into the case. Think it's make a big difference?

Avathar77 · 27 Feb 2026 at 11:22

Move the bottom RAD to the front?

What's your flow loop anyway? Is it dual pump(parallel or serial)?

Mcnumpty2323 · 27 Feb 2026 at 14:05

Yeah it's not ideal
But doesn't mean it won't work
Its plumbed in
One way to find out is try it

Personally I would have done
A cross flow/x flow radiator on top and front
In one end out the other
On both rads
Then to the last rad below the gpu

Have to say
That's the first phanteks enthoo elite
I have seen in here
I have had the primo,luxe,719
Fancied the elite but unfortunately
The price was definitely elite

SpudMaster · 28 Feb 2026 at 01:21

I'd flip the fans on the bottom rad so its an intake. The way you have it now, the bottom two rads are competing for air.
I presume the top rad is exhausting air so why have have air flowing up from the bottom to the top

trawetSluaP · 2 Mar 2026 at 13:07

I plan to do a fresh water fill soon so will change the bottom rad out as suggested.

Thank you all for your help.

trawetSluaP · 8 Apr 2026 at 10:08

Sorry for the delay in coming back!

Wanted to provide any update. I flipped the bottom rad so it's an intake and it seems to have dropped temps between 3-5c depending on the load.

Thanks for the suggestions and input all!

RenzoGG · 10 Apr 2026 at 12:50

trawetSluaP said:
Sorry for the delay in coming back!

Wanted to provide any update. I flipped the bottom rad so it's an intake and it seems to have dropped temps between 3-5c depending on the load.

Thanks for the suggestions and input all!

You'll probably get a bit less dust inside the case now too. There was probably a pocket of low air pressure that dust would have been pulled into via the opening in the rear of the case (instead of through a dust filter).
Glad to hear temps are better though!