I'm considering buying an AIO cooler that has the pump integrated with the radiator instead of with the CPU block. I've seen a lot of conflicting information about whether it's safe to mount it below the CPU. I'm worried about issues like permeation and whether air bubbles will get trapped in the CPU block. Can anyone shed some light on this?
4 Answers
Check the manual that comes with your AIO cooler. It'll usually specify which mounting orientations are safe to use.
Yeah, over time air pockets can migrate to the CPU block since it's the highest point, and that could lead to some seriously reduced cooling performance.
You really don’t need to worry about permeation. Just remember to keep the pump away from the highest point of the loop—if it's in the radiator, you should be good!
It's actually pretty uncommon for AIOs to have the pump in the radiator. If you mount it with the CPU block as the highest point, air bubbles could get trapped there, which would hinder cooling efficiency. Just keep that in mind!
They do exist, though! I’ve heard it’s a method to dodge some Asetek patents.