Stupid Cooling Questions and reccomendations

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JancariusSeiryujinn

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First, I'll ask a few questions that may be a dumb question, but I've always kind of just put my own machines together without a lot of oversight or review, and I guess I might as well ask now rather than do it wrong forever. When using a large block cooler (IE, CoolerMaster Hyper 212), which side should the fan be on? I've been facing it towards the RAM, but that basically blocks a RAM slot. Facing it the other way puts it right against the case fans, typically.

Second, I just finished reading the guide to airflow on the site. What is the best way to tell whether fans are intaking or outtaking? I've just been sort of putting my hand over the outtake fans and confirming I feel something, but that seems... unreliable (also, requires the computer to be on, which may lead to dissassembling a build after completion if I got it wrong).

Third, somewhat related to the first, what is a good first time water cooling system for the CPU? I wanted something more space efficient than the large block coolers I've been using, but I don't really know anything about water cooling (how to set it up, install it, what to look for).
 
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Eximo
LGA1151 is an Intel socket, as I said, the way you described it is the correct way to mount it.

If it is just for aesthetics, then pretty much any 120mm radiator will do. I like Corsair's square pump housing myself, but there are plenty of choices out there.

Asetek style: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/wxcMnQ/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfre00016a

Asetek are kind of the universal choice. These are the coolers that will fit GPUs and come from several name brands, but are manufactured/licensed by Asetek.

Corsair: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Vwdqqs/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww

Antec's unique take (pump in on the radiator): http://pcpartpicker.com/product/2WxfrH/antec-cpu-cooler-kuhlerh2o650

Enermax has an agreeable look to...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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1. Generally, the fan blowing through the cooler fins, towards the back of the case.
Some coolers do have interference issues with the RAM stick in slot 1. Often, that fan can be slid up a little.
Or, get a different cooler. A lot of the newer ones (Cryorig) are specifically shaped to not cause that interference.

2. A piece of tissue paper. Your hand and fingers are notoriously unreliable for this.

3. Cryorig
I have the A80.
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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#1 Typically CPU coolers are setup as push systems. For Intel and AM2+ sockets this means the fan is blowing through the heatsink towards the rear. AM3+ sockets end up mounting something like the Evo 212 vertically with the fan blowing up through the heatsink.

The way you have it setup is correct. Motherboards are intended to have the ram slots farther away from the CPU populated first.

#2 Almost universally, fans blow towards their label. (The part that actually holds up the fan blades/rotor)

#3 That depends on the CPU and what you plan to do with it.

Inexpensive all-in-one coolers are usually worse or equal to mid-range air coolers like the Evo 212
Basically when you get in the 240mm radiator size they start to pull ahead, but are generally louder.
True custom/open loop water cooling can be quite silent since you can increase the radiator size as much as you want.

They do make working in the case easier, and are much easier to ship.

Basically, unless you are going for a heavy overclock, water coolers aren't that great. They cost a lot, and if you want silence, you have to sacrifice temperature, or buy expensive replacement fans.
 
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JancariusSeiryujinn

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In the particular case I'm referring to here, it's a LGA1151 socket. I don't even see how it could be mounted with the fan blowing up at the heat sink

2# Thanks, that is a very handy tip

3# Gaming on the medium to high end. However, the main reason I was considering water cooling is aesthetics (WC builds tend to look much nicer and less crowded than my builds).
 
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Eximo

Eximo

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LGA1151 is an Intel socket, as I said, the way you described it is the correct way to mount it.

If it is just for aesthetics, then pretty much any 120mm radiator will do. I like Corsair's square pump housing myself, but there are plenty of choices out there.

Asetek style: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/wxcMnQ/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfre00016a

Asetek are kind of the universal choice. These are the coolers that will fit GPUs and come from several name brands, but are manufactured/licensed by Asetek.

Corsair: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Vwdqqs/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww

Antec's unique take (pump in on the radiator): http://pcpartpicker.com/product/2WxfrH/antec-cpu-cooler-kuhlerh2o650

Enermax has an agreeable look to me: http://pcpartpicker.com/product/GGGj4D/enermax-cpu-cooler-elclmr120sbs

The Cryorig ones are unique, I think, in offering the fan to help cool VRMs around the CPU. Proper case airflow is essential to operating a water cooling system.
 
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