Corsair H60 Installation - Help needed please

[Lynx519]

Hello, just had a friend help me build a new PC. Here's the main components relative to my problem: (Can list the other components if needed)

Motherboard: ASUS Z270 Mark 2
Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K 8M Skylake
Computer Case: CM Storm Scout 2 Advanced

We installed a stock Intel Heat-sink and just recently I purchased a Corsair H60 which I'd like to replace it with. I've been reading up on how to install it all day and naturally I've ended up more confused than anything. I have several different questions. Please keep in mind I'm extremely noob to computer building and I apologize about that.

Firstly. my PC case has an exhaust fan on the back, Do I place the H60 radiator over that, and then the included fan that came with the H60 on top of that, all pushing air out the back? Essentially: Air from inside computer case ->FAN->H60 Radiator->FAN-> outside of computer case.

Next up, and this is where I'm having A LOT of confusion. I don't know where I plug the H60 Pump into as well as the fan. My MB has the following inputs:

CPU_FAN - 4-Pin
CPU_OPT - 4-Pin
AIO_PUMP - 4-Pin
CHA_FAN1 - 4-Pin
CHA_FAN2 - 4-Pin

Here's my concerns - The H60 pump is a 3-Pin connector. Can I connect the 3-Pin pump to a 4-Pin connection on the MB? Also I've been reading it has to have constant 12V power going to it for maximum efficiency. How do I know which connector on the MB has fixed 12V power? If someone could tell me the optimal imputs for the pump and the fan on on my MB that would be extremely appreciated. I can provide a user manual MB lay-out picture if needed.

Last question. I'd like to install a few more fans in my PC as well but my case already came with 3 fans, 2 on front for intake and 1 on back for exhaust as mentioned before. So naturally I've already ran out of fan power supplies on the MB, is there a way to add more fans, like a splitter or adapter or something?

Sorry for the lengthy post. Like I said, I am a total noob to this but I'd like to learn. Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[alexoiu]

"Do I place the H60 radiator over that, and then the included fan that came with the H60 on top of that, all pushing air out the back? "
You'd replace the case fan with the Corsair one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO9APx2yKrg

"I don't know where I plug the H60 Pump into as well as the fan. My MB has the following inputs"
Plug the pump to AIO Pump and the Corsair fan to CPU_Fan

"Can I connect the 3-Pin pump to a 4-Pin connection on the MB?"
Yes, http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/img/4pin.jpg

Set in BIOS AIO PUMP Control to DC Mode, or Disabled, for constant 12V.

 

[Lynx519]

"Do I place the H60 radiator over that, and then the included fan that came with the H60 on top of that, all pushing air out the back? "
You'd replace the case fan with the Corsair one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO9APx2yKrg

"I don't know where I plug the H60 Pump into as well as the fan. My MB has the following inputs"
Plug the pump to AIO Pump and the Corsair fan to CPU_Fan

"Can I connect the 3-Pin pump to a 4-Pin connection on the MB?"
Yes, http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/img/4pin.jpg

Set in BIOS AIO PUMP Control to DC Mode, or Disabled, for constant 12V.

Thank you Alexoiu for the quick response!

I actually watched the video you had shared for the H60. The reason I brought up the question regarding having 2 fans attached the to radiator VS 1 is if there would be a benefit to having two, or does it really matter? If not I will definitely use the included Corsair one on the back with the radiator instead of the stock case fan.

AIO_PUMP connector - I thought this was the case but was unsure. Almost everything I was reading was saying to attach the pump to the CPU_FAN connection point and didn't even mention the AIO_PUMP connection. Also thanks for clearing up the 3 Vs 4 Pin issue.

Lastly, changing AIO PUMP settings in the BIOS - is this something that my AI suite might be able to do, or would it have to be done directly through the BIOS? I am noob and haven't done much BIOS stuff.

Thanks again.

 

[alexoiu]

You're welcome.
"The reason I brought up the question regarding having 2 fans attached the to radiator VS 1 is if there would be a benefit to having two, or does it really matter?"
If you can install the radiator with 2 fans, then it's even better.

"Almost everything I was reading was saying to attach the pump to the CPU_FAN connection point and didn't even mention the AIO_PUMP connection"
Not all boards do feature a dedicated port for the pump, that's why. In your case, you can do it both ways, but I suggest using the AIO header.

"is this something that my AI suite might be able to do, or would it have to be done directly through the BIOS?"
Directly in BIOS, Advanced Mode, Monitor Menu.
Nothing to worry about. Check the setting, If Auto, you can leave it as it is.

 

[Lynx519]

You're welcome.
"The reason I brought up the question regarding having 2 fans attached the to radiator VS 1 is if there would be a benefit to having two, or does it really matter?"
If you can install the radiator with 2 fans, then it's even better.

"Almost everything I was reading was saying to attach the pump to the CPU_FAN connection point and didn't even mention the AIO_PUMP connection"
Not all boards do feature a dedicated port for the pump, that's why. In your case, you can do it both ways, but I suggest using the AIO header.

"is this something that my AI suite might be able to do, or would it have to be done directly through the BIOS?"
Directly in BIOS, Advanced Mode, Monitor Menu.
Nothing to worry about. Check the setting, If Auto, you can leave it as it is.

You've helped greatly and I think I finally understand what to do.

For H60, going to plug the Pump into the AIO_PUMP imput, and plug the Corsair Radiator Fan into CPU-FAN input. I'll put the Corsair Radiator fan exhausting out back of PC as you suggested, then the radiator itself, and on top of that, the original stock fan that came with my case.

Lastly, I'll set the AIO_PUMP to always be at 100% through BIOS as you suggested. Does this seem right?

Again, I'm grateful for the help and the patience with all my questions!

 

[alexoiu]

No problem.
"and on top of that, the original stock fan that came with my case"
I suggest testing firstly with only CPU Corsair fan installed. Then add the case fan, only if possible and test again. If no difference, I'd remove it.
"Lastly, I'll set the AIO_PUMP to always be at 100% through BIOS as you suggested. Does this seem right?"
Yes, it seems right. Try checking the CPU temperature (when idle) in all cases and see which configuration is best.

 

[Lynx519]

Will do. Thanks again!

 

[alexoiu]

You're welcome. Please post back the result.

 

[Lynx519]

You're welcome. Please post back the result.

So this isn't actually a results post as I will finally be doing the installation this weekend. It's actually a concerns post I just thought of. Mainly just for monitoring CPU Temps accurately.

Basically, if my Pump is plugged into the AIO header and NOT the CPU_FAN header, won't my CPU temps be inaccurate? I know I'll be plugging the radiator fan in the CPU_FAN header but it's not like that's directly connected to to the CPU anyways - so its temperature reading could be irrelevant maybe?

I'm worried that if I plug the pump into AIO header and the rad fan into CPU_FAN that I'll think everything is fine and dandy but really my CPU is overheating because I actually have no idea what the CPU temperature really is? Also what if the pump fails, and my PC doesn't register that it failed since it's reading that the radiator fan is still working. Man, maybe I should have just not gotten a water cooled heatsink haha.

Please share your input, I know I may be over analyzing this way too much, but I did just drop a lot of money into this PC and I don't want to blow it up. Basically I want to make sure I'm seeing accurate CPU temp but is this possible if the Corsair pump is plugged into the AIO Header?

 

[alexoiu]

"Basically, if my Pump is plugged into the AIO header and NOT the CPU_FAN header, won't my CPU temps be inaccurate? I know I'll be plugging the radiator fan in the CPU_FAN header but it's not like that's directly connected to to the CPU anyways - so its temperature reading could be irrelevant maybe?"
The temperature is determined by a sensor on the CPU. Of course that it depends on the fan/pump speed, but the accuracy has no relation with the device connected to the CPU_Fan header. The system adjusts the fan/pump speed based on the CPU temperature "read" by the sensor.


As for the pump failure, you'd immediately notice a high CPU temperature and the system would warn you, or shut down, for protecting the CPU.

 

[Lynx519]

"Basically, if my Pump is plugged into the AIO header and NOT the CPU_FAN header, won't my CPU temps be inaccurate? I know I'll be plugging the radiator fan in the CPU_FAN header but it's not like that's directly connected to to the CPU anyways - so its temperature reading could be irrelevant maybe?"
The temperature is determined by a sensor on the CPU. Of course that it depends on the fan/pump speed, but the accuracy has no relation with the device connected to the CPU_Fan header. The system adjusts the fan/pump speed based on the CPU temperature "read" by the sensor.


As for the pump failure, you'd immediately notice a high CPU temperature and the system would warn you, or shut down, for protecting the CPU.

One again, you have given me the information needed. This pretty much clears up all my questions. Again I really appreciate your help. I will post results if you're still interested.

 

[alexoiu]

Sure, please do it.

 

[Lynx519]

Sure, please do it.

So I installed the H60 last night and here's the results.

I was going to install the fan/radiator on the back of PC as an intake as suggested by Corsair. To mitigate this I added two Exhaust fans to the top of my PC. However after installation I realized I actually placed the radiator fan as an exhaust by accident, not an intake. Not a huge deal as you can go either way. Before I change anything I'm going to use the PC this way and see how she does for a bit.

So far, all seems good. I hooked the Pump cable up to the AIO_PUMP header, and the radiator fan to the CPU_FAN slot. and it seems to be fine. I have yet to go into BIOS to set the AIO_PUMP to be 100% as I'm a little unsure how to do this. Regardless my AI Suite 3 is showing the Pump is over 4000RPM - Could be a misreading because that seems crazy? I should also mention the AIO suite lets me change fan settings for all my fans. I can have them set to a fixed RPM of my choosing, or I can set them to smart mode which let's them change on their own based on temperature. The only one I can't do this with in the AI Suite 3 is the AIO_PUMP. I'm assuming this means it's already set at 100% no choice?

CPU temp seems to be idling around 30C give or take. I played GTA5 on max settings for about an hour and the CPU temp got up to a max of about 64C

Not sure if this is good or bad? I should mention I cleaned the stock thermal paste off the Corsair and my CPU unit and replaced it with Arctic Silver 5.

Let me know your thoughts if you don't mind? Should I just see how it does for now, or switch the radiator fan as an Intake so it's drawing cool air from the outside? I also have an extra fan that I could place on the computer somewhere or add it to the radiator as a Push/Pull set up, but I've been reading mixed reviews on whether or not to do this.

 

[alexoiu]

I'd leave the radiator fan as exhaust.
30 and 64 are ok.
Does the case have a front fan as intake?

 

[Lynx519]

I'd leave the radiator fan as exhaust.
30 and 64 are ok.
Does the case have a front fan as intake?

Yes, it has 2 intake fans at the front. So basically, 2 front intakes, and 2 exhausts at the top. Plus the radiator exhaust.

 

[alexoiu]

Then I'd say that it's ok.