Installing a H100i - Fan direction question

azibux1

azibux1

azibux1

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Hi all,

There seems to be differing views on the fan setup of a H100i (with just two fans)... Whats best out of the following:

1. Mount the fans below the radiator (nearest to the mobo) and have them blow air from the case through the rad and out of the top of the case

2. Mount the fans on top of the radiator (nearest to the top of the case) and have them bring IN air from the room and through the radiator, into the case?

Some say that the radiator is giving out hot air from the cooling liquid, so you should set the fans up using option 1 above to blow the air away.

Which one is correct?

Hope you can help, :)

PS: I'm still waiting on delivery of my H100i, just trying to plan ahead so I know how to fit it
 
There really is no definitive answer I'm afraid, lots of people run them in both ways.

There's actually 3 configs that people use:

1) Match your option 1
2) Matches your option 2
3) Mount the fans at the top of the case, but blowing out of the case, the idea being that the air is being pulled through the radiator into the room.

The answer depends really on the rest of your setup in terms of case and position of other fans.

For example you do not want all your fans bringing in air to the case, what you're trying to achieve is air flow, so air comes in and then exhausts.

Personally, I've always set them up as option 1.
 
Hmmm alright thanks!

I'm actually buying a new case too (Fractal Design Arc Midi R2)... Would it be okay with option one above, exhaust fan at the rear and the big 140mm at the front bringing air into the system?
 
Nice! Thanks :D

Radiator pipes at the back or front presumably doesn't make any difference? I assume that's just personal preference
 
You are over thinking this.

Have the air from the radiator going out of the case, wherever you decide to put it. To minimize dust, have more airflow going in than out through dust filters.
 
OracIe said:
There really is no definitive answer I'm afraid, lots of people run them in both ways.

There's actually 3 configs that people use:

1) Match your option 1
2) Matches your option 2
3) Mount the fans at the top of the case, but blowing out of the case, the idea being that the air is being pulled through the radiator into the room.

The answer depends really on the rest of your setup in terms of case and position of other fans.

For example you do not want all your fans bringing in air to the case, what you're trying to achieve is air flow, so air comes in and then exhausts.

Personally, I've always set them up as option 1.
Click to expand...

I have to say i agree with them removing hot air from the case and exhausting upwards, but for more reasons than what is stated here. heat rises, so naturally, the heat generated inside of your case will rise to the top and your fans exhausting air can take care of this rather than trying to blow against it and "push" the warm air back down even though it will naturally rise again. i do, however, recommend having the fans in "pull" (outside-case-fan-radiator-inside) as this will make cleaning the radiator easier as you won't have to remove the fans to access the radiator (they will pick up dust).
regards
 
phate1337 said:
i do, however, recommend having the fans in "pull" (outside-case-fan-radiator-inside) as this will make cleaning the radiator easier as you won't have to remove the fans to access the radiator (they will pick up dust).
regards
Click to expand...

^ This.
I was also advised that most fans cope better when pulling air, though I can't recall the reason now.
 
Thanks guys! Will put the fans at the top then (closest to the case) and rad below them, with fans pulling air through the rad

I haven't opened the cooler up yet, but am I correct in saying I have to put a screw through the rad AND fan into the case? Surely then to clean the rad the fans will come loose anyway? Or are you guys saying to clean it in the case? Alternatively the fan may be screwed to case from above and screw the rad to the fan, I'll find out later on if nobody has replied by then :)

What's best for cleaning the rad?
 
Hi all

Just came to do what was mentioned above... Having (from inside the case) the radiator... Then the fans... Then the case... But the screws provided are quite thin (thinner than fan screws), so even if I use fan screws from above to secure the fans to the case, I have no means of securing the radiator to the fans.

There are long screws provided (thin again though) that I can screw through the radiator from the bottom, but as they're thin, when they get to the fan they don't 'screw' because they're too thin

Unless I'm missing something obvious I might have to go with the fans under the radiator as that seems how it is designed to be done

Hope someone can help :)
 
They go through the case from the top, all the way through the fans (not screwing into, but passing through the holes) and then securing into the radiator. That help?
 
That sounds like it will work and I can't believe I didn't think of that hahaha

I'm sure it will work but I'll post back later when I've tried it (in about 10 minutes)

Thanks!!
 
Thanks for the help and ideas phate, it is installed as you suggested now :D

Will add some pics once it is all tidied up

I have a 2500K overclocked to 4GHz, it is running at ~40 in the 'default' mode in Corsair link... Does that seem okay?

Ran intel burn test and compared it to some results from my old setup in the old case, with my Gelid Tranquillo air cooler and that seemed a few degrees cooler (the gelid)

May possibly just need tweaking in the link software, and also I think the fans I had as intake and exhaust did a better job than these ones with the new case (Fractal Arc Midi R2)
 
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Something to do first will be to create your own fan profile which is linked to heat of the cpu. Decide what the loudest speed you are comfortable running them at by either selecting fixed speed rpm or % and then create a custom fan profile with that as the top level and step it down as you see fit. I have my h100i run at a highest point of 2000rpm at 60 degrees but naturally, that is my setup it probably won't be the same for you! If you do this and you still don't like the temps, pull the cpu block off and check that the thermal paste has markings indicative of a good fitting. Also check the block orientation on your processor aa this can have a big affect of Cooling.
Regards
 
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