Where should you install your AIO liquid cooler? The best places tested!

Summary

The video explains how AIO radiator placement affects cooling, airflow, and pump longevity. It compares three setups using a 280 mm radiator in an NZXT H7 case:

1. Front-mounted, push-pull: The radiator was mounted at the front with four fans. The CPU peaked at 78°C, the GPU at 65°C, and GPU memory at 90°C.
2. Front-mounted, standard fan setup: With fewer fans, the CPU peaked at 82°C and the GPU at 66°C. Other readings were slightly warmer as well.
3. Top-mounted, exhaust: The CPU ran warmer than in the front-mounted push-pull test, while the GPU temperature changed only marginally. The presenter did not provide exact temperatures for this setup.

Testing used Cinebench R23, Heaven Benchmark, and 3DMark, with temperatures monitored in HWMonitor. Results depend on the case, fans, hardware, and room conditions, so the presenter recommends testing different placements in your own system rather than assuming one arrangement will always perform best.

Placement and airflow guidance

• Avoid bottom-mounting an AIO radiator when the pump is in the CPU block. Air can collect in the system over time, and if the pump becomes the highest point, air may reach it and interfere with its operation.
• The CPU block does not have to be below the radiator in every orientation. In a front- or side-mounted setup, the key is to keep the block from being the highest point so air can collect in the radiator instead.
• Tubes-down on a front-mounted radiator follows this principle. The presenter says tubes-up can also be acceptable if the CPU block remains below the radiator’s top.
• Consider tube routing to avoid obstructing RAM, fans, or airflow.
• The presenter generally prefers intake at the front, side, and bottom where possible, with exhaust at the top and rear. Case layouts may limit these options.
• A front-mounted radiator can reduce the amount of cool air reaching other components, but the tests show that this is not inevitable.

Main speaker/source: The Provoked Prawn presenter.