[SOLVED] AIO Push/pull exhaust/intake

Jul 10, 2019
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So im about to buy an AIO but I was just wondering, what configuration is the best? for a 280 mm radiator at the front. Push or pull, exhaust or intake?
 
Solution
Depends on you and how you use the pc.

In general pull configuration works slightly better when fans are run below @ 1200rpm. There's enough vacuum created that the motor housing isn't a factor so the whole surface of the fan area is in play. When fans are run above @ 1500rpm, push is more effective due to higher cfm countering the motor housing loss. Between @ 1200-1500 there's no real difference.

So if you have lower speed fans, you'd be better off with pull. High speed fans, push.

But that's only the math. Location makes a difference too. In pull, the rad comes first, so takes the brunt of any dust in the case. This makes for very easy cleaning as you don't have to remove the fan to clean the dust out of the rad. But, RGB lighting...
Jul 10, 2019
42
1
35
Obviously, we'll need a lot more info.

What AIO, what case, what are all the rest of the parts, etc, etc...

AS much detail as you can.

I don't know exactly which AIO i'm buying but its going to be a 280mm one.

Case: NZXT H500
GPU: RTX 2060 6GB MSI Gaming Z
CPU: Ryzen 2600
Mobo: B450 Aorus Pro
HDD: Barracuda 1TB
SSD: Kingston 240GB
CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer 34
Ram: Veangence Pro RGB 3200mhz 16 GB
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
Depends on you and how you use the pc.

In general pull configuration works slightly better when fans are run below @ 1200rpm. There's enough vacuum created that the motor housing isn't a factor so the whole surface of the fan area is in play. When fans are run above @ 1500rpm, push is more effective due to higher cfm countering the motor housing loss. Between @ 1200-1500 there's no real difference.

So if you have lower speed fans, you'd be better off with pull. High speed fans, push.

But that's only the math. Location makes a difference too. In pull, the rad comes first, so takes the brunt of any dust in the case. This makes for very easy cleaning as you don't have to remove the fan to clean the dust out of the rad. But, RGB lighting can be a factor, kinda sucks for a top mount to have the RGB buried in between the fan and rad, so push would be better, performance be damned. Same applies for front mount if the case is open access not covered, solid front.

As is, the NZXT H500 can only mount a front aio of 280mm, so half of that becomes a moot point, for non rgb fans I'd go with a pull config for sure. Pc fans have higher static pressure on exhaust than intake, so in pull that'll put more air at the gpu since there's no radiator to diffuse the airflow. Also makes cleaning easier, just pop the front off and hit the rad with a vacuum. No need to take anything apart.
 
Solution
Jul 10, 2019
42
1
35
Depends on you and how you use the pc.

In general pull configuration works slightly better when fans are run below @ 1200rpm. There's enough vacuum created that the motor housing isn't a factor so the whole surface of the fan area is in play. When fans are run above @ 1500rpm, push is more effective due to higher cfm countering the motor housing loss. Between @ 1200-1500 there's no real difference.

So if you have lower speed fans, you'd be better off with pull. High speed fans, push.

But that's only the math. Location makes a difference too. In pull, the rad comes first, so takes the brunt of any dust in the case. This makes for very easy cleaning as you don't have to remove the fan to clean the dust out of the rad. But, RGB lighting can be a factor, kinda sucks for a top mount to have the RGB buried in between the fan and rad, so push would be better, performance be damned. Same applies for front mount if the case is open access not covered, solid front.

As is, the NZXT H500 can only mount a front aio of 280mm, so half of that becomes a moot point, for non rgb fans I'd go with a pull config for sure. Pc fans have higher static pressure on exhaust than intake, so in pull that'll put more air at the gpu since there's no radiator to diffuse the airflow. Also makes cleaning easier, just pop the front off and hit the rad with a vacuum. No need to take anything apart.

Pull is that when you can see the fan from the inside? and is exhaust better than intake. In that case what config, to intake fans at the back and exhaust in the front? or the other way around.
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
A fan has 2 sides. One side is the pretty side, it's nice looking and all you see is the fan. That's the side air goes In. That's the pull/draw side. The other side is the ugly side. That's where you can see the back of the motor, the printed sticker, the pillars holding the motor and the wiring. That's the Out-side, the exhaust side of the fan.

Cooler air is denser, and therefore heavier, warmer air is proportionately less dense, and therefore lighter. So cooler air sits lower in a room. So that's where you want your intake fans, in the front, as low as they'll mount. You want exhaust fans in the opposite corner from the intakes, so top/rear.

In the front, if mounting fans on a rad in pull, all you'll see is the ugly back side of the fans. They'll be pulling air through the radiator and exhausting that air into the case. Your exhaust fans will be physically exactly the same way, but you'll get to see the pretty side instead as they pull air from the case and exhaust it out.

Pretty side always faces the direction you want to pull from, ugly side always faces the direction you want to push to.
 
Jul 10, 2019
42
1
35
A fan has 2 sides. One side is the pretty side, it's nice looking and all you see is the fan. That's the side air goes In. That's the pull/draw side. The other side is the ugly side. That's where you can see the back of the motor, the printed sticker, the pillars holding the motor and the wiring. That's the Out-side, the exhaust side of the fan.

Cooler air is denser, and therefore heavier, warmer air is proportionately less dense, and therefore lighter. So cooler air sits lower in a room. So that's where you want your intake fans, in the front, as low as they'll mount. You want exhaust fans in the opposite corner from the intakes, so top/rear.

In the front, if mounting fans on a rad in pull, all you'll see is the ugly back side of the fans. They'll be pulling air through the radiator and exhausting that air into the case. Your exhaust fans will be physically exactly the same way, but you'll get to see the pretty side instead as they pull air from the case and exhaust it out.

Pretty side always faces the direction you want to pull from, ugly side always faces the direction you want to push to.
thank you, but between the corsair h100i aio cooler and the deepcool castle 280 which one is the best?