Where should you install your AIO liquid cooler? The best places tested!

Here I'm talking about where you should put your all-in-one CPU cooler's radiator. What's the best placement for it and why does it matter? There are some mistakes you can make when installing your cooler and these errors should be avoided if you want to maximise performance while also minimising risk. So in this video I'm talking about where you should put your radiator but also where not to put it.

I'm also running tests using the NZXT Kraken Elite 280mm all-in-one CPU cooler and the NZXT H7 Flow RGB case. In this video I've set it up in three different ways:
1 - Front mounted with push pull fans (four fans total)
2 - Front mounted with just the NZXT Core fans pulling air
3 - Top mounted with the fans set to exhaust

I wanted to see what the difference was between these settings by running tests. So I used Cinebench R23, Heaven Benchmark and 3D Mark stress tests and benchmarks to put the system under pressure, then I got the temps using HWMonitor.

Now obviously this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt because every system is different, your environment is different and your case and fans will be different too. But I've tested a lot of different all-in-one CPU coolers and have found that top mounting or side mounting is generally best. That said it will depend on the case and the airflow, so it's best to test and see what works for you.

Related videos:

Specs of this build:
CPU - Intel Core i5-13600K
RAM - Crucial Pro 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR5-5600

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Products:
Products featured may also have been sent for free for review/testing purposes. Often these have to be returned by me, but not always. I endeavour to avoid bias in my videos wherever possible and try to give honest, subjective opinions. Unless otherwise stated, the videos are not sponsored financially.

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Related videos:
Specs of this build:
CPU - Intel Core i5-13600K
RAM - Crucial Pro 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR5-5600

[gren]

The question was: why wasn't I subscribed? You've guided me through my rebuild and now re-placement, and Lian-li fan config too! Keep up the great work!

[MO-ssqt]

Finally a video that discusses fan direction relating to mounting location. I have glass on two sides of the case. The location that's makes the most sense for my build is side mounting near the front of the case. But I wanted to be sure I was ok flipping the fans around since they need to be intake in that location. Really appreciate your look at fan orientation relative to the radiator. Everyone seems to be exhausting hot PC air through the radiator. It just didn't sit well with me.

[jaded]

I've watched a ton of videos about the ideal mounting spots for the AIO and found that the top mounting method was the best one so far. I tried side mounting my AIO but it didn't really make much of a difference temp wise. I debated on doing a push/pull combo but looking around it doesn't really benefit much temp wise for an AIO. Thanks for the informative video either way!

[mixmastermike]

1 - Front mounted with push pull fans (four fans total)
C: 78
G: 65
M: 90
H: 77.9

2 - Front mounted with just the NZXT Core fans pulling air
C: 82
G: 66
M: 90
H: 77.4

3 - Top mounted with the fans set to exhaust
C: 88
G: 66
M: 90
H: 77.8

[jonnyflash]

Phenomenal explanation. I consider myself a novice even with years of experience. So much you can learn from others. But there's even fewer who articulate it well. Great work!

[VirtualTape]

Thank you, your videos are always so informative and this was no exception. I usually go with front mounted push/pull because it just felt right to me, but as you said its not always possible and it really depends on your build/case.

[media]

I'm currently building up a new system right now (looking at 7950X3D and RTX4070) and this + the Lian Li Uni v2 videos, as well as a few more of your videos, have helped me understand a lot more.
The last time i built a computer was around the time that the Ryzen 2000 series and RX580 were brand new, so i have a lot to learn!

[MichalMonday]

It would be interesting to see GPU benchmark being done for each of these setups. It makes sense that with the 1st and 2nd setup where CPU radiator got fresh air (as intake) the CPU temp was lower. The question is how would it affect the GPU when it's under heavy load. Ultimately it would be nice to see a CPU+GPU based benchmark which would be close to real life scenario (e.g. gaming).

[MrVoayer]

AIO and Fan placement is a hot topic guaranteed to produce some debate. This video shows some options and gives valid reasons for Do's and Dont's ! There is a video titled "Lian Li O11D Evo - Fan Placement" by Kleo Yan that I find very instructive too !

[alphasierra]

AIO front or side mounted and top exhaust will give the best results. Top mounted AIO will work with all the heat put out by the GPU, hence your results.

[drood]

Brilliant explanation. Had so many questions about aio orientation and push pull. Watched many vids and just confusing. All the answers were right in this vid. Thx mate. Subscribed 🎉

[HarryAyA]

I was under the impression that exhausting through the rad wasn't particularly favourable. Until, I read a reddit post that detailed the benefits and drawbacks.
Supposedly, your cpu will be hotter but your gpu should be slightly cooler and vice versa depending on if you exhaust or intake through the rad.
Not sure how true this is but the guy explained it in a way that sounded logical.

[MartyAckerman]

Great video, nice discussion.

Personally, I'm mounting my new build with the rad on top so I'll be ok.

But I also think criticism of front mount/hoses down is overblown. Wouldn't an easy precautionary step be to flip the case on its side once a month or so and let the pump run for a while? This would tend to force bubbles out of the pump head/water block and into the rad. Then when the case is rotated to its normal position, the bubbles would move to the top of the rad.

[nvkTV]

lol subscribed in less that 5 seconds just for the voice xD thanks for the info and short too, not like other channels that are +20min video long

[rohitp]

I have the same top mounted exhaust setup that you have with an I7-14700 K and a 4080, after I switched off my rear exhaust fan, there has been significant improvement in cooling with lesser noise. Also, I am having less dust in the case that was happening due to the negative pressure caused by the rear fan.

[FrancoAlcudia]

I did install the radiator on my PC in the front with the tubes at the bottom, just as you showed, with just 2 fans pulling air, but I was thinking about adding 2 more fans pushing air to make it a little more efficient, but, it's going to start the rainy season where I live so I don't think it's going to be necessary.

[HerrinSchadenfreude]

I just got through dealing with this as I upgraded to AM5 and went from a 240mm AIO to a 360mm Ryujinn III. I have a heavy glass-sided Digital Storm Velox with three intake front 140mm fans, 2 exhaust 140mm top mounted fans a MB-side intake 140mm fan and a rear mounted 140mm exhaust fan. I have my AIO radiator mounted hose side up in front because the hoses can't clear the SATA cage flipped the other way. I tried today to top mount it after pulling the two exhaust fans, but it's too big, I'd have to drill more holes, and the hoses would never clear my 342mm long RTX4080 OC. So I returned the radiator to the front, flipped the three 140mm fans on it around so they're exhaust, and put the top fans back in and flipped them so they're intake.

Before I did this, I was idling somewhere around 44C-50C after having been a little lower previously, with opening a bunch of tabs, starting a game, or simply booting running the Tctl/Tdie up to 84.2C when I've got thermal throttling in BIOS set to 85C. Now I am idling around 35C-38C, averaging between 42C-53C, and my max so far has been 75.1C. I guess I still have the goods. This is with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D where the comfortable limit is something like 88C and absolute max is 95C.

[EricTheBroBean]

It's important to note that if you live in space, you can fit the AIO at the bottom due to no gravity.

[soviut]

I'd love to see a video on cable tidying tips. I'm about to try out some 90 degree USB 3 and USB 3.2 headers so the front panel cables go parallels to the motherboard but I'm wondering if there's any downsides (signal issues, reduced power, etc.). Likewise, I'm curious if there any any 90 degree or C shaped connectors for 600w GPU cables since bending them or hitting the glass can be hard on the plug.