The AIO liquid cooler's intake and exhaust components.
The AIO liquid cooler's intake and exhaust components.
I've been experimenting with customizing my AMD fx 8370... and deciding on the direction of my liquid cooling setup, whether to focus on intake or exhaust. It's proving a bit tricky to determine which path offers better cooling performance. My CPU doesn't consistently exceed 40°C either way, but I'm more concerned about the socket configuration. I recall it could reach up to 65°C if I remember correctly.
I'm using an Antec twelve hundred v3 case that includes three front intake fans of 120 mm in the drive bays. My hard drives are located at the bottom of the drive bay, and I've installed a Corsair Master Jet Flo 120 mm fan in the middle bracket to help circulate air effectively. The cooler has a top 200 mm fan for exhaust and two rear 120 mm fans.
My Corsair H80i V2 liquid cooler requires removing the lower exhaust fan to mount it properly. With this information, I'm wondering if a push-pull intake design would be more effective. I've noticed that this setup tends to keep the CPU cooler compared to a traditional exhaust-only configuration. The main advantage seems to be that it directs warm air through the radiator while pushing cooler air into the radiator via the front fan.
I'm considering a mounting solution for a fan on the side of the case behind the motherboard, where the CPU is located, so that an intake fan can directly blow air onto the back of the motherboard or socket.
For AIO coolers, the pull fan setup tends to be optimal when choosing between push and pull, especially with thick radiator fins.
Cool air generally performs best with radiators, though this relies on the initial quality of case airflow.
If your radiator is continuously expelling hot or very warm air, it indicates insufficient cooling capacity; your temperature difference is likely too high.
Avoid configurations that create airflow conflicts, as they reduce cooling efficiency. It doesn't significantly impact exhaust or intake use, but for management purposes, prioritize exhaust use. A push/pull setup could work if space allows, though it might slightly improve cooling most of the time. I prefer an exhaust with the fan drawing air from the radiator.
For AIO coolers, the pull fan setup tends to be optimal when choosing between push and pull, especially with thick radiator fins.
Cool air generally performs best with radiators, though this depends on the initial quality of case airflow.
If your radiator is continuously expelling very hot or warm air, it indicates insufficient cooling capacity; your temperature difference is likely too high.
Push and pull configuration means both fans are set to exhaust mode. One fan expels exhaust while another draws in the same air.
Push/pull means one fan pushes air into the cooler while another pulls air through. The air moves in a single, uninterrupted path throughout.
I have a query for you dslatsh, am i fully at ease and assured that the amount of airflow from your stock CPU air cooler has been adjusted to match the voltage regulators near the CPU socket? That cooler wasn't just cooling the CPU—it did more than that.
4Ryan6 :
I have a question for you dslatsh, are you 100% sure and confident that you've updated the airflow amount your stock CPU air cooler was providing to your voltage regulators near the CPU socket? That cooler wasn't just cooling the CPU—it was also helping with other components. I hope so... I used to think stock CPU coolers weren't top-notch, but my old AMD model was pretty outdated before. I've heard the new Wraith is supposed to be much better.