Question Regarding AIO Coolers

[AlexTheTechFreak]

I've never used an AIO liquid cooler before so I have a couple questions. Firstly, can you use 2 120mm radiators on the same side? What I mean is if you're using a card like the 980 Ti Hybrid and the Corsair H55 AIO cooler, could you put them both right next to each other either on the top or on the front if normally a 240 mm rad could fit there? Or would that not work?

Secondly if that is possible, are there any negative effects of having both cards being cooled by the same flow? Is it more optimal to have one intake and one exhaust? I see people using similar combinations but they're always set up on two different sides. I wasn't sure if this was for aesthetics or if it wasn't possible to set them up side by side.

 

[weberdarren97]

Thanks to the extra thickness of the holding tanks on the ends of the rads, this will not work.

What CPU are you planning on cooling with the Corsair H55?

 

[geofelt]

What is your case?
What is your cpu and gpu?

What is your objective in using liquid cooling?

 

[AlexTheTechFreak]

I see, that makes sense. Well that was an example similar to what I plan on running. I wanted to use a 1070 FTW Hybrid, the Corsair H60 or H75, and the i7-6700k. I plan to overclock both the CPU and GPU but was unsure of how to cool them the best way. I was looking at the Corsair 400Q case and I wanted to put the GPU rad on intake and the CPU rad on exhaust. However, the top of the 400Q has no fan filters so I didn't plan on removing the protective cover.

How much does a radiator restrict airflow? If the back exhaust will still be enough even with the 120mm radiator mounted then I have nothing to worry about. Otherwise I guess I'll look for a different case. Also, the 400Q has 3 front intake slots. So what if I mount one on the top and one on the bottom with nothing in the middle slot?

 

[weberdarren97]

The Corsair H60 or H75, and the i7-6700k.

No.

These small AiO liquid coolers are actually worse than good air coolers. Until you get into double length radiators, AiO liquid coolers simply aren't worth it.

I've condensed some of my complaints into a list:
1) They're heavy
2) They're filled with fluid, what if they leak
3) They're noisy compared to high quality air coolers
4) They're more complicated, more can go wrong

 

[AlexTheTechFreak]

No.

These small AiO liquid coolers are actually worse than good air coolers. Until you get into double length radiators, AiO liquid coolers simply aren't worth it.

I've condensed some of my complaints into a list:
1) They're heavy
2) They're filled with fluid, what if they leak
3) They're noisy compared to high quality air coolers
4) They're more complicated, more can go wrong

Those are some good points. What air cooler(s) would you recommend? The 400Q doesn't have a side window so aesthetics don't really matter.

 

[weberdarren97]

No.

These small AiO liquid coolers are actually worse than good air coolers. Until you get into double length radiators, AiO liquid coolers simply aren't worth it.

I've condensed some of my complaints into a list:
1) They're heavy
2) They're filled with fluid, what if they leak
3) They're noisy compared to high quality air coolers
4) They're more complicated, more can go wrong

Those are some good points. What air cooler(s) would you recommend? The 400Q doesn't have a side window so aesthetics don't really matter.

Compare my recommended CPU coolers for overclocking

 

[geofelt]

I like the noctua new s variants,
NH-U12s, nh-U14s and even the NH-D15s.
The s variants have been redesigned to avoid conflicts with tall ram heat sinks.
Perhaps more importantly, they have been offset so that graphics cards with backplates mounted in the first pcie slot are not impacted.

I had to put an insulated shim between my graphics card and a NH-U14 to keep from shorting.

Noctua fans are superb and have the best mounting around.

I saw a review of a $35 scythe Kotetsu on spcr. What caught my eye was the better performance than a NH-U12s
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1391-page6.html