I struggle with keeping the CPU cool enough.
I struggle with keeping the CPU cool enough.
Rejecting this idea means understanding why a cooler handling 300w of heat doesn't always bring temperatures below a specific point. If that's true, they'd likely exaggerate the performance to extreme limits if needed. It's worth noting you pushed it extensively there. Regardless, as long the AIO isn't mounted off-center, it should work fine. The highest part of the unit shouldn't be the pump, or micro-bubbles in the pump area could cause unusual noises and possibly shorten its life. For example, the Arctic Liquid Freezer III uses an offset mount for AM5, which shifts the cold plate downward so the coolest spot aligns with the hottest part of the board. Changing it might not help and could be worse.
You're already good if you mount the radiator on top. If you place it in front, you can lift the radiator until the highest part is above the pump. Make sure your tubes are long enough so they don't block other components when positioned at the bottom of the radiator.
I noticed the MSI logo is flipped, but the pipes fit best when installed upside down. One pipe is too long, another too short, and I don’t feel confident changing them myself. Regarding cooling, there are two BIOS sections where I can enable PBO. One functions but gets overridden by the other. My Cinebench 24 score is 1230 with a silent fan curve of 85-91°C. The Gigabyte Control Center is overriding my BIOS settings. The GCC always takes precedence, though I’m not sure if there’s a way to enforce it. Appreciate your assistance!