Push - pull?

eddyc

eddyc

eddyc

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13 Nov 2009
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Has anyone got any advice for push - pull configurations on coolers?

I am currently using an Apache on my Baram, pushing air through the cooler. I am hoping to knock some temps off to give me a bit more OCing headroom.

Should I:

1. Leave it as it is (because it wont make much difference?)
2. Buy another apache to pull
3. Buy a viper to pull (or i could swap them and have it pushing)
4. Buy 2 vipers and sell the apache
5. Other :)

Also would there be any trouble running 2 PWM fans off the same mobo header (with a Y cable). Am I likely to damage the header? I am currently running 2 3-pin case fans off my other header, that seems to be jogging on fine but I guess they are rather lower powered.
 
Pull but in all honesty I wouldn't bother. You would probably see little difference.
I'm using Vipers with my rad, highly recommended.
 
I would go for push/pull over any of those. It will knock at least 3-5 degrees off your temps - or has done in most cases.

I've never heard of any issues with running two fans a splitter, and as far as I'm aware will run at the same speeds. Not getting enough power could be an issue, but I don't think thats a major issue at all.
 
Push & Pull will give better performance at the expense of noise. Depends how quiet he likes his system. Pull over push is better and Push and Pull is even better.
 
Really? I had no idea that pull was better than push. Thats really good to know.

So all those coolers that come with the fans pre-attached for pushing have got it wrong. I reckon I will move my trusty apache to pull and see how that goes. Then maybe I'll buy another apache.

I am not too bothered by load noise (within reason!) but I really am bothered by idle noise. I guess I'll just need to have a play around and see what can be done.
 
Does anyone know if there are any problems running push pull with fans that are not the same?

If I bought a viper and did push-pull with my apache would I be losing out / creating air flow problems?
 
eddyc said:
Really? I had no idea that pull was better than push. Thats really good to know.

So all those coolers that come with the fans pre-attached for pushing have got it wrong. I reckon I will move my trusty apache to pull and see how that goes. Then maybe I'll buy another apache.

I am not too bothered by load noise (within reason!) but I really am bothered by idle noise. I guess I'll just need to have a play around and see what can be done.
Click to expand...

That's the key have a play around. Remember just because your temps are 2'c lower doesn't mean you will get a better overclock. For me it's all about balancing the noise against performance. Does the extra 100 MHz and additional voltage and noise make a real world difference?
 
The Asgard said:
That's the key have a play around. Remember just because your temps are 2'c lower doesn't mean you will get a better overclock. For me it's all about balancing the noise against performance. Does the extra 100 MHz and additional voltage and noise make a real world difference?
Click to expand...

Very true. I am hoping to get a better overclock (currently temp limited) but 2*C would probably not make a real difference, especially as I can fully expect the temps in my room to increase by a lot more than that when we hit spring / summer. Winter is never really the best time for stress testing :rolleyes:
 
In my experience the benefit of push/pull depends so much on the fan speeds and the density of the cooling fins that experimentation is key. However I do generally find that slower fans appear to benefit more from a push/pull configuration than higher speed fans. I am usually looking for quietness so l use slower fans in push/pull for this reason and I usually see about 3 - 5 degrees better temps.

One thing I would avoid is mixing different fan models even if they are the same speed and very similar specification. I've tested this a couple of times and also used two matching fans but varied one fans speed from the other and it increased the noise.
 
Simon42 said:
One thing I would avoid is mixing different fan models even if they are the same speed and very similar specification. I've tested this a couple of times and also used two matching fans but varied one fans speed from the other and it increased the noise.
Click to expand...

Due to unmatching vibrations or something? Interesting. Okay, if I do decide to go for push/pull I will either get another apache or jump to 2 vipers.

Thanks for the advice.
 
setter said:
If you want to run two pwm fans such as the apache/viper, invest in one of theese.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-031-AK&groupid=1929&catid=153&subcat=

Power is provided from the mobo, fan speed control, monitoring is delivered via the motherboards cpu fan header, ive used this with various pwm fans in push/pull on cpu coolers.
Click to expand...


Good buy :)

I just use a Y splitter with my 2 x 4 pin PWM fans on my Arrow off the same header without any issues at all :)
 
Cheers for that. I had forgotten that they existed. Out of stock though. No rush though. Am going to have a play around with configurations of my existing set up before I buy anything new.
 
I've got 2xTriCools on my Ultra120, now - it was pretty quiet when I just had the push fan on the front of the cooler but since I've added the 2nd fan it sounds strange, not just louder, but like when you play two notes that are meant to sound the same but they're slightly out? (like tuning a guitar or something...)

Could the 140 exhaust fan an inch behind the 'pull' fan on the cooler be causing turbulence there? or could the tri-cool fans be running at different speeds even though they're both set to the same setting on the switch?

Would like to get other's oppinions before I start moving fans - with my cables tied up as tight as they are, that would be a right PITA if it didn't help things LOL
 
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