Question Is this bend in the cooler tube OK ? Does the AIO pump's orientation matter?

[Jorge24]

Is this bent enough to the point where it would have a negative impact on the cooling?

I could also flip the radiator so that the tubing is at the top without being bent but I've seen plenty of people say that doing so might cause gurgling sounds and air to go into the pump since the radiator's tubing side would be higher.

Which way should I go?

Case: Fractal Torrent
Cooler: Liquid Freezer III 420 (3x140mm fans)

The CPU will go at around this height where the hole in the side panel is:

 

[Lutfij]

No that doesn't look normal. You should have the radiator towards the front, then the radiator bracket and then the fans.
i.e Fans<bracket<Radiator

That way the bend on your tubes would follow a smoother arch. Use this video to illustrate how to mount the fans with the brackets;

View: https://youtu.be/1fOTZKVzyks

and yes, you should include the make and model of your case, next time so people can respond faster.

 

[Jorge24]

You should have the radiator towards the front, then the radiator bracket and then the fans.
i.e Fans<bracket<Radiator

Thanks, I hadn't realized I could place the bracket in between the radiator and the fans. However, my idea was that I was gonna leave it that way and then put another set of fans towards the front so I could sandwich the radiator between fans... But maybe that would be overkill?

I read online that the push/pull fan sandwich was the best config but I'm not sure if my radiator is thick enough to see a benefit from it, nor whether it will make the PC quieter or louder overall.

My cooler is the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 420 (3x140mm fans)

 

[Jorge24]

I also just realized that the radiator is too big to put in the front so my only option is to do the push/pull sandwich or do a push setup with the fans at the front. So I'm still wondering if the push/pull sandwich is worth it

 

[artk2219]

Is this bent enough to the point where it would have a negative impact on the cooling?

I could also flip the radiator so that the tubing is at the top without being bent but I've seen plenty of people say that doing so might cause gurgling sounds and air to go into the pump since the radiator's tubing side would be higher.

Which way should I go?

Case: Fractal Torrent
Cooler: Liquid Freezer III 420 (3x140mm fans)

The CPU will go at around this height where the hole in the side panel is:

Its not ideal, but so long as the tubes aren't being pinched, it should work. Generally you want to avoid as many bends as possible with your tubing, but Ive seen worse, you should be fine.

 

[Jorge24]

Its not ideal, but so long as the tubes aren't being pinched, it should work. Generally you want to avoid as many bends as possible with your tubing, but Ive seen worse, you should be fine.

Thanks, since I learned that I could put the fans in the front by putting the bracket in between the radiator and the fans, I've taken more photos showing what the 2 different possibilities look like now. Would you still suggest to keep the radiator tubes at the bottom?

Tubes at the top:

Tubes at the bottom:

Tubes at the bottom (close-up):

 

[artk2219]

Thanks, since I learned that I could put the fans in the front by putting the bracket in between the radiator and the fans, I've taken more photos showing what the 2 different possibilities look like now. Would you still suggest to keep the radiator tubes at the bottom?

Tubes at the top:

Tubes at the bottom:

Tubes at the bottom (close-up):

It doesn't really matter from the perspective of the aio. Either if fights gravity a bit to pump the water out, or it fights it a bit to suck the water up, the result is the same and doesn't heavily effect longevity. So go with whichever you think looks better. I will say if you put the tubes up top it keeps it out of the way of your graphics card if it's a large card, if it isn't a large card, it doesn't matter.

 

[dwd999]

It would be better to have the tubing at the bottom and just remove the fan that's in the way of the tubing.

 

[Paperdoc]

In general it is better to place the rad so the tubes are at the TOP of the case and above the pump. That way any air bubble that develops as the system looses fluid slowly will accumulate in the top of the rad and NOT in the PUMP. A bubble inside the pump can prevent it from pumping any fluid, thus reducing cooling substantially.,

 

[Jorge24]

It would be better to have the tubing at the bottom and just remove the fan that's in the way of the tubing.

Can you explain in what ways bottom tubing would be better? I was feeling kinda decided to put the tubes at the top cause at the bottom I either have the tube bent or have to switch to a smaller fan, both of which result in worse cooling

 

[dwd999]

Can you explain in what ways bottom tubing would be better? I was feeling kinda decided to put the tubes at the top cause at the bottom I either have the tube bent or have to switch to a smaller fan, both of which result in worse cooling

Every AIO cooler is not assembled in a vacuum chamber, but instead just a normal factory room environment, and as a result a small amount of air gets into every system at manufacture. The primary objective is to mount the radiator in a way that avoids getting that air into the pump and damaging it. This is why the AIO manufacturers prefer that the radiators be mounted in the top of the case above the pump level. For a vertical front of case mounting, having the tubes at the bottom results in the air being trapped at the top end of the radiator furthest from the tubes and above pump level. Mounting the radiator with tubes at the top above pump level risks that air being drawn into the pump and damaging it. Since you're using a front of case mount, you can have the fans in front of the radiator pushing air in, which would be good as long as your room temperature is lower than the temps inside the case. The back of your case provides plenty of holes for the air to exhaust that warmed air and less bottom of case air would be needed.

 

[Jorge24]

Does the AIO pump's orientation matter? (e.g. 12, 3, 6, 9 o clock)

 

[Lutfij]

Please stick to one thread to avoid spaghetti brains.

 

[JayGau]

I personally use push/pull with the radiator on the front with air intake, so fresh air from outside the case cools down the liquid. I tried without the extra fans inside the case (so only push) and haven't seen much difference for the liquid temp, but... I have seen a significant difference for my RAM temp and it's because the second layer of fans pushes the air farther inside the case before it gets pulled out by my exhaust fans, so it helps to have a better air circulation (airflow).

And I have the tubes going to the top of the case. Unlike what plenty of people say there is absolutely no problem doing that as long as the top of the radiator is higher than the pump (to prevent air accumulation in the pump).

 

[JayGau]

Mounting the radiator with tubes at the top above pump level risks that air being drawn into the pump and damaging it.

This is false. It's a myth that got debunked so many times (Jaytwocents made an entire video about it). As long as the top of the radiator is above the top of the pump there is absolutely no problem. It's simple physics: air reaches the top of the system, it cannot stay trapped in the pump if the said pump is not the highest point. And occasional air bubbles passing through the pump cannot damage it, it's trapped air that can damage the pump overtime since it continuously has to work harder.

 

[JayGau]

Does the AIO pump's orientation matter? (e.g. 12, 3, 6, 9 o clock)

Usually, it's better to install it in the orientation the manufacturer designed it to be. If there is something written on it or a logo, place it to have the letters or the logo in the right orientation.

 

[Jorge24]

As long as the top of the radiator is above the top of the pump there is absolutely no problem. And occasional air bubbles passing through the pump cannot damage it, it's trapped air that can damage the pump overtime since it continuously has to work harder.

so is the only downside about going tubes up instead of tubes down is the bubbling noise since air is more likely to pass through? or does it also result in reduced cooling efficiency?

 

[JayGau]

so is the only downside about going tubes up instead of tubes down is the bubbling noise since air is more likely to pass through? or does it also result in reduced cooling efficiency?

It doesn't reduce cooling efficiency at all. The only difference is that you can hear a little "bloop" time to time when the air moves at the top of the radiator (and it's very rare and barely audible, at least with mine). I used to have the radiator on the top of the case and when I moved it to the front I actually got a temperature improvement despite the new tube orientation.

 

[CountMike]

The small amount of air is there because of expansion of fluid when it heats up. otherwise it may explode and blow seals or radiator. Position of hoses is not much relevant but it depends on radiator configuration as that bobble of air will always be at highest water level. Only important place is pump as it's lubricated by cooling fluid. Best to stick with manufacturer's recommendation. they already tested all possible positions, no need to invent hot water again (pun intended).