360mm or 240mm + 120mm Fan?

[lmsrcmig06]

Hey guys. I'm doing a new build, and I found that a 240mm AIO Cooler was cheaper than a 360mm, with the same performance. So, my case held up 360mm, but I was interested in doing a 240mm + a 120mm Fan Combo. Can I do it? Thanks.

 

[the nerd 389]

If you want to use both a 240mm and 120mm radiator to cool a single component, you'll need to run an open loop. Those are much more involved than an AIO, but you can get much better performance that way.

 

[lmsrcmig06]

I was saying, a 120mm fan, not radiator, with the 240mm radiator, is it possible?

 

[the nerd 389]

A 240mm radiator uses two 120mm fans, not a single 240mm fan.

Are you asking if you can use three 120mm fans on a single 240mm radiator?

 

[Eximo]

Depends on the layout. Typically radiators are a little larger than fans at the ends so you often can't put a fan right next to them and line it up with the screw holes.

If all the fans were in a layer with the radiator slung below, then yes.

Probably not a necessary fan though.

 

[lmsrcmig06]

If my case supports a 360mm radiator (3x120mm fan), i was wondering if I could use a 240mm radiator (2x120mm fan) and then, not a radiator, but a case fan next to the radiator to complete the gap, it'll be cheaper. Eximo said something like that too.

 

[the nerd 389]

Sorry, I misunderstood the question. The reservoir on the radiator will most likely block the third fan. I don't know of any radiators that wouldn't.