Hey everyone! I've got some spare parts from an old build that I'm finally going to use. I decided to create a budget Linux gaming PC for my living room using a Ryzen 5600x and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. I found a cool micro-atx case that fits with my furniture, and I just bought a Radeon 9060 XT 16GB GPU that technically fits the dimensions.
However, I've run into a bit of a hiccup. The GPU is so long that it limits my cooling options. My case can only take two fans in the front and one in the rear, and with the GPU in place, I can't install the top front fan. I'm debating how to set up the airflow—should I have one fan pulling air in from the rear to boost pressure while the GPU fans push air out? I'm worried that this might disrupt how the CPU fans circulate the air. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
3 Answers
What case are you using? It looks like the GPU is pulling air in from the top and pushing it out to the right. You can have one fan in the front for the CPU and one exhaust fan in the rear, which should work just fine. A dual tower cooler is probably overkill for the 5600X, a single tower would do well enough.
I love when leftover parts come together for a cool build! You don't really need such a huge cooler for the 5600X unless you're pushing it hard. I'd recommend focusing on airflow for the GPU instead—maybe try a single tower air cooler or a low-profile one to help the GPU get more air.
I have an old Wraith cooler, but I was never satisfied with how it performed.
Just ensure that air moves along the plane of the CPU cooler, and you should be good. The GPU has enough space to get air from nearby, and it will likely end up directing its exhaust into the same airflow path as the CPU cooler.
That makes sense! As long as the GPU can draw from the surrounding air, it should be fine.
It's a Jonsbo T7, which has a different motherboard placement. I get why you'd want to use a dual cooler since I had overheating issues with my old Ryzen 1700 too.