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Radiator on top of case. Fans above or inside case.

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  • Overclocking
  • Fan
  • Cases
  • Water Cooling
Last response: in Overclocking
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February 17, 2014 4:27:22 PM

My case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Watercooling Kit: XSPC Raystorm EX 750.
I want to mount my radiator outside the case on top of it. Should I put the 2 fans inside the case under the radiator or above the radiator outside the case. Or should I keep the case fans inside under the rad and the fans in the kit above the rad. Or should i sandwich the rad between the 2 fans outside the case.
What would be the optimal setup. Any help would be appreciated.

More about : radiator top case fans inside case

a b K Overclocking
February 17, 2014 4:50:58 PM

I think it is going to look really stupid mounting the radiator outside the case, but if that's what your set on, put the fans above it.
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February 17, 2014 4:53:34 PM

Deuce65 said:
I think it is going to look really stupid mounting the radiator outside the case, but if that's what your set on, put the fans above it.


Should they be push, pull, or push pull?
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a b K Overclocking
February 17, 2014 6:26:00 PM

According to MartinsLabs, it all depends on your fans. Fan speeds above @1700rpm work more effectively in push, fan speeds below @1500 work better in pull, fan speeds between @1500-1700 work in either. Now, think about what you need the fans to do, would they be better as intake or exhaust, would you rather not see the 'ugly side' of the fan etc. Once your esthetics and requirements are decided, that will give you your base idea. Eg, Slow fan- mount under lid outside of frame, radiator underneath. This gives maximum space, cleaner look, and meets fan best specs, for exhaust. Or High speed fan- mount the same with the fan flipped becomes intake.

If you have the fans available, and power for them (molex or headers) then push/pull is the most effective method with either speed. Just have to decide whether the fans will be exhaust or intake, then mount accordingly.

Advice- don't exceed your intake by exhaust, maintain a 'positive flow' into the case, through filters. If you work on a 'negative flow' you are in essence creating a vacuum, which will attract dust from every possible crack or open fan slot. Makes for a dirty case real quick.

Side note, my radiator is mounted up top on the outside of the frame but under the plastic lid, totally invisible from the side. Used as top exhaust with fans pushing from underneath.
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February 17, 2014 6:52:00 PM

Thanks for the advice. My fans are high air pressure 1650rpm fans. I am planning to put the fans on top of the case and put my rad on top. The fans will pull air through the rads into the case. I was going to do push pull, but I don't want to remove my fans every time I want to remove the dust from the rad. I did not order the fans yet, so I don't know how long the cables are. The connectors are 3 pin. If the cables are too short I will do the same configuration, only the fans will be inside the case. I don't want to cut holes in the case because I might sell it in the future or give it to a friend. The reason I am putting the rad on top of the case is because there is no room inside and I am planning to mount a 360 rad in the back of the case for when I watercool my gpus.
Thank you again for the help.
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a b K Overclocking
February 17, 2014 8:52:20 PM

your welcome, good luck with the build
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