I'm having a tough time figuring out how to properly place my AIO cooler, specifically the 280mm NZXT Kraken Elite, in my PC setup. I'm using a STRIX B850-F motherboard and a 4000D case. I did my research to make sure all the parts were compatible, but it feels like I'm hitting a wall here. The heatsink on my motherboard seems to be blocking the top mount for the radiator, which is frustrating!
If I decide to front mount the radiator, it means I can't use the front fans for intake, which raises concerns about how to maintain proper air pressure in the case. I've got two case fans that came with the 4000D, and I'm trying to figure out the best placement for them.
Is it a bad idea to not mount the fans on the AIO? I think there's enough space to top mount the radiator, have both large fans as intake in the front, and use the two case fans as exhaust.
It's my first build, and everything was going smoothly until I encountered this issue! Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Honestly, I would consider flipping the radiator so that the tubes aren’t prone to bubbling. It’s true that if you have the rad pulling air through it, it can bring in warmer air from the case, but if set right, it can still work. Balancing the pressure might feel tricky but using the two fans as exhaust at the back or top could help keep the airflow circulating well.
It’s definitely possible to mount the AIO radiator in front, and I think it should work fine with the fans attached to it. I mean, according to the case specs, as long as your GPU isn't too long, it looks like you should have enough space. Just to clarify, if you mount the fans on the inside of the case with the radiator, that would actually work as intake, which could be a good option since it’ll bring in cooler air instead of hot air from the case.
Here’s a quick sketch I made of a setup I think would work: [Link to drawing](https://i.imgur.com/8vOwjDk.png).
Just to add on to that, if the fans are set as intake within the case, you’ll be pulling in cooler air, so that should help. Also, make sure you don’t block airflow with any cables.
Exactly! And don’t worry too much about it; just experiment a bit with fan orientation. It can make a big difference in overall cooling efficiency!