Should I Set My AIO Fans as Intake or Exhaust?
Asked by
GamerGal77
Hey everyone! I recently upgraded to an AIO cooler and changed my PC case to the Aerocool Viewport Mini V2. I'm curious about how to set my AIO fans: should I have them mounted on top as exhaust or as intake? Right now, my front two fans are pulling air in, and the rear fan is also exhausting air. My case tends to heat up a bit when I'm gaming, but my GPU stays below 70°C. Just wondering what you all think would be the best setup!
Answers
I think side fans should be configured as intake while your rear fan should exhaust. And yes, definitely keep AIO fans set to exhaust if mounted on top. It really helps in managing heat better!
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In general, AIOs should be set up to push air out rather than pulling it in since that can lead to higher GPU temps. It's usually best to use top fans as exhaust. However, your setup really depends on your overall case airflow. Just make sure that you’re managing airflow efficiently.
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Just keep in mind that an AIO pulling air in can sometimes lead to warmer GPU temps, whereas pushing air out can raise CPU temps. It’s a bit of a trade-off, but I’d still recommend exhaust for your radiator.
GamingNerd101: Good to know! I’ll keep the exhaust setup in mind. What if my case layout doesn’t allow for optimal airflow?
GamerGal77: I guess I need to take a good look at my setup!
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If your AIO radiator is mounted on top, you should definitely set it up as an exhaust. Heat naturally rises, so having the fans work to push hot air out makes sense. Just be cautious with having all fans exhausting air; you may want to balance intake and exhaust for better airflow overall.
CoolingExpert88: But doesn't that mean you're just creating a vacuum? Shouldn't you have some fans bringing air in as well?
GamerGal77: Thanks! So, I should definitely keep it as exhaust.
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BuildMaster42: That makes sense! I'm curious, what are your thoughts if you can only fit a 240mm radiator up top?
GamerGal77: Good point! I guess that could limit my options.