PC Cooling for Micro ATX Build - Pls Advice

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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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Hi Guys!

I am using the CM masterbox lite 3 (micro atx case) and my specs as follows;

MOBO: ASUS h110m-a-m.2
CPU: Intel i7 6700 (non K)
CPU Cooler: CM Hyper 212 LED
GPU: Palit stormx 1060 3gb
GPU Cooler: Arctic Accelero Hybrid 3-120mm (AIO)
PSU: Silverstone 500W
RAM: 16GB Kingston
Fans: 2 pcs CM Sickleflow 120mm in front (intake)
1 exhaust (120mm fan from Arctic Accelero)
1 extra Noctua fan and they sandwiched the AIO radiator (Noctua-radiator-sickleflow)
1 fan for Cm Hyper 212
1 Small VRM Fan
1 Built in Fan in the PSU

I am really a noob, just a casual gamer doing some CAD designs etc.. Please Advice, did I do it correctly? I want to learn more. Please help. Please see link for the photo of the airflow. With this setup, my cpu max temp full load is around 65 degrees Celsius and gpu max temp with max stable overclocking is around 53 degrees Celsius. I'm satisfied with the temperatures, i just want to learn more whether im doing it wrong which cost me couple of degrees temp.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bvm4e2ypw99z4sk/mypcairflow.jpg?dl=0

Thanks in advanced!
 
Solution
B
OK, I take it back, I completely mis-read the image.

It is a tricky situation. If you mount the GPU AiO on the front with the fans intaking through it, you will dump a lot of heat into the case, which in turn won't do much for the cpu cooling as the intake air into the tower cooler will be warmer than ideal.

However, mounting the rad on the rear exhaust vent (IF it fits) will then result in the warm CPU exhaust air being driven through it, hurting GPU temps (although by how much is uknown).

I would either a) buy a case to accommodate what you have better, or b) fit the GPU AiO as a rear exhaust and keep the two intake fans at the front. See how that works.
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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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Hi Burgess!

Thanks for the reply! Sadly, I don’t have fan slot at the top. The thing im actually confused is about the aio radiator.. My understanding is that hot water from the pump is being cooled by radiator via fans, and cooled water from radiator is sent back to pump. So in my system, my fans pulls in fresh air from outside and blows to radiator to cool the hot water, then pull air blown to radiator to inside the case. I don’t know if air pulled from radiator is hot, making air being blown inside the case is also hot. Please enlighten me.. I want to know the correct principle.

Thanks!
 
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maxalge

maxalge

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May 31, 2012
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you want the radiator blowing air out of the case not into it


change the fan mounted on the back to intake, swith the cpu cooler fan to blow air out towards the front

and also do the same to the fans in the front to blow air out of the case



or you can leave everythitng as is, and have the radiator blow air out the bottom??? ( would it fit? )
 
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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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Hi Maxalge,

Thanks for Your input. I really don't know that it is more desirable to make aio radiator fans as exhaust. based on Your expertise, is there a significant improvement if I change the fans orientations? If air inside the case can be hot, and the same air is blown or exhaust through the radiator, wouldn't the radiator cooling be less effective? just some of the ideas torturing my mind as i'm new to radiator thing. Please correct/enlighten me. Btw, my PC case don't have fan slot for bottom nor it will fit towards bottom direction since the space is really tight :(

Thanks!
 
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maxalge

maxalge

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? you are blowing hot air into the case from the rad right now


you have the fan pushing air thru the rad into the case correct?

you want it dumping its hot air OUT of the case

so simply switch the fan orientation to have it blowing air out of the case


62fhR2l.jpg
 
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burgessanthony

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Jun 27, 2012
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Depends if you value CPU or case/gpu temps. Both orientations can work - of course exhausting case air through the rad will reduce the heat take-off from the rad, however case temps will improve.
For gaming purposes, exhausting out through the rad is better generally, as you would favour case/gpu temps.
For hard cpu tasking 24/7, I'd actually draw in through the rad and gain the couple of extra oC cooling for the cpu.

 
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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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HI Maxalge,

Thanks for the diagram image. if I follow that, i will only have 1 intake and the rest is exhaust. Will it be ok/enough? i always see people say positive air pressure thing is better. Maybe in my situation its not applicable?
 
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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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Hi Burgess,
i dont overclock my cpu (non K), but i find it more than enough even for demanding games and work apps that i use. and maximum temp at full load is 65 to 70 degrees..for gpu, even long hours gaming with kind of good overclock, temp doesn't exceed 55 degrees with this radiator intake setup. so is it just fine even if i dont change rad fans to exhaust?
 
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elite_noob

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Jul 27, 2017
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I don't used the AIO for my CPU since i dont overclock it, i just use Hyper 212 LED which gives 32 degrees at idle and average 67 at full load, sometimes spikes to 70 max.. with stock cooler before it was like 90 degrees at full load. I use the AIO for my GPU. with GPU stock cooler when i overclock and play it was like 85 to 90 degrees. Now the highest recorded is 53 degrees at full load and 34 degrees at idle. Maybe ill try to do more combinations this weekend using what i've learned here . Thanks!
 
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burgessanthony

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Jun 27, 2012
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OK, I take it back, I completely mis-read the image.

It is a tricky situation. If you mount the GPU AiO on the front with the fans intaking through it, you will dump a lot of heat into the case, which in turn won't do much for the cpu cooling as the intake air into the tower cooler will be warmer than ideal.

However, mounting the rad on the rear exhaust vent (IF it fits) will then result in the warm CPU exhaust air being driven through it, hurting GPU temps (although by how much is uknown).

I would either a) buy a case to accommodate what you have better, or b) fit the GPU AiO as a rear exhaust and keep the two intake fans at the front. See how that works.
 
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