Which way should AIO flow ?

tek3195

New member
I have an Eisbaer 240mm AIO with an additional 120mm radiator added to the loop. The 240 is in front as intake and the 120 is up top as exhaust. Each time I think of which direction to run flow, the time before made more sense. Should I have it flow from pump to 120 first exhausting some heat before going to 240 or the other way around ?
 

davido_labido

Moderator
Hi Tek,

In terms of loop order, it won't make a difference which radiator is first. In terms of fan orientation, then I would have the 240 as intake and 120 as exhaust as you mention. You can of course test others out, but usually, this is better.
 

tek3195

New member
Hi Tek,

In terms of loop order, it won't make a difference which radiator is first. In terms of fan orientation, then I would have the 240 as intake and 120 as exhaust as you mention. You can of course test others out, but usually, this is better.
Thanks. Any insight on which normally works better with fans pushing into or pulling from radiator? Seems like push and don't want to test as it is a bitch to mount mine. I'm in a Cooler Master Q300L which is micro-mini tower with 2 rads and vertical GPU stuffed in it. It is in pieces now for final paint and whichever way it goes back together is the way I hope to leave it.
 

davido_labido

Moderator
I would have them pushing personally, usually, with ITX builds I have a 240mm rad with fans pushing in, then either a 240 or 120mm rad with the fan on the inside of the case pushing out.

Once everything reaches equlibrium, it all works out nicely :)
 

tek3195

New member
I would have them pushing personally, usually, with ITX builds I have a 240mm rad with fans pushing in, then either a 240 or 120mm rad with the fan on the inside of the case pushing out.

Once everything reaches equlibrium, it all works out nicely :)
What kind of temps are you used to with ITX builds ? I ask because I have Coolermaster Q300L which is micro-mini tower and it's hitting 80+ in stress test. I thought it would be better than air cooling but same temps either way. I believe I have plenty of air flow, I'm moving more air now than I was with MSI Core Frozr L and temps are actually 2 degrees warmer. Adding the 120mm up top made no change to temps. I've used Alphacool paste and Noctua NT-H1. I believe it is air free as I have turned flipped and shaken it in every direction imaginable. I have the pump set to full speed only slowing down to 80% when under 30C. I have got to be missing something somewhere. I know it's not going to cool like a large bore custom loop, but it's gotta be better than this, doesn't it ?

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