What size screws for radiator?

[ahenners]

Hi everyone, just in the process of building a watercooling setup. My radiator is a Swiftech MCR320 and im looking to mount some 120mm fans on it that are the standard 25mm thickness. My question is what size screws do I need to get so I can mount the fans, but not hit the water channels of the radiator?

Also which is the best way around to mount the fans? The radiator is being mounted to the back of my case with a radbox. Is it best to put the fans between the radiator and the case blowing either towards the case or away from it? Or is it better to mount them on the back of the radiator and blowing either towards the radiator or away from it?

Thanks

 

[Bubo]

If you already have the rad then measure what clearance you have and add say 1.5mm for the rad hole and say 6mm for the fan hole. If you use self tappers, and they are too long, you could always tap the rad holes with these to get the thread started, then cut the screws to the correct length and reinsert, they should still go in. Or simply use washers to space the screws away from the rad.

If you are mouinting on the back there is no reason not to do push-pull. I would have the air flowing away from the case. If you want to go with a single set of fans then it depends on the fin density of the rad and the fans static pressure. Low pressure fans generally do better pulling, whereas high pressure fans can do better pushing, though there is not much in it tbh. And low pressure fans are suited to low fin density, and vica versa. Anyway, it will be simple for you to test this for yourself when you get things set up.

 

[ahenners]

Thanks for the advice bubo. It is quite a low fpi, have some 1000 rpm's that I will probably try in pull config. As for the screws I have a rough idea just wondered if there was a specific size used for all. Going to go to a hardware store and see what I can find.