I'm considering switching from an AIO cooler to an air cooler for my build. If I decide to go with the air cooler, would it make sense to place case fans in the same positions where I would have installed the AIO's radiator and fans? I'm just trying to figure out the best airflow setup and any recommendations would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Yes, generally that's what you should do. It's a good idea to utilize those mounting spots if you're not using them for an AIO.
You don't necessarily have to fill every mounting slot with a fan, but it's good practice to have at least one intake and one exhaust. Most systems work fine with that setup.
You can definitely add fans in those spots, but remember, more fans don’t always mean better performance. You could be fine with just 3 to 5 fans total. Having too many exhaust fans near the cooler might actually restrict airflow, so make sure to balance intake and exhaust correctly.
I'm using a case with side-mounted fans, and it sounds like I need to rethink their setup. Thanks for the tip!