Wrong way to install a CPU cooler?

[WhiteReaper777]

Here is my build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/WhiteReaper777/saved/7r6GXL

I just realized that I installed my CPU cooler sideways, as in the fan has the option of blowing up or down rather than left or right (case standing up and you're viewing it facing the motherboard side). Nothing is in the way, as my RAM is low profile, but I wanted to know if I've ruined my build by doing that.

Is it possible to safely remove the CPU cooler and turn it around? Is it necessary to do? I'm literally almost done building the thing but I'll redo it all if I must. First time builder. Got overly excited and made a mistake. Please help me.

 

[elbert]

Do you mean the fan is blowing toward the top instead of the rear? If so and you have fans pulling air out the top then its fine.

 

[atljsf]

on intel is better to install sideways, so the fan on the cooler pushes air to the back of the case, there the air should be pulled out by the case fan in the back that you must have installed pulling air out of the case

the cooler can also go with the fan pushing air to the top of the case, there you should have a fan pulling air out of the case on the top of the case

you can do both options

intel cpus seems to be better with the fan pushing air to the back of the case

the idea is point the fan on the cooler to the side of the case with better cold air intake so it uses the coldest air possible to push trough the cooler, in most cases the cold air comes from the front of the case

when the ram is too tall, or you have amd cpu, the point to the top situation is used very often, i had to do just that last week

a build only is ruined when you burn it or let it fall to the floor and ends completely destroyed

if you want to change directions you can, in fact, remember that from time to time you must remove the cooler, clean cpu, apply new fresh thermal paste and install it again to keep the heat flowing away from the cpu into the cooler, also clean the cooler itself, dust and fluff there are a enemy

if you want to change the direction and you know how to do it, do it, if you see that noise, temperatures as it is now is ok, leave it this way

you can do changes if you assembled the pc, you can change alot after the pc is assembled, all you need to do is follow the assembly manual to know how to remove the cooler and put it the way you need or want, remember to apply thermal paste

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

It shouldn't be a problem. It looks like your case has a top mounted location for an exhaust fan. You could leave the cooler as it is with the fan blowing up and out the top exhaust there.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Prolimatech did some exhaustive studies on this. It turned out that the orientation of the fans was pretty much a non-factor. The main impact as to mounting orientation was related to the heat pipes and how the evaporation / condensation process work and how gravity impacted that efficiency. Testing we did with a Phanteks PH-TC14PE pretty much mirrored Prolimatech's results with a 2-3C increase in temps when blowing up and out.