Opinions On New AIO As Intake or Exhaust

[Hazen]

I haven't replaced my current 120mm push/pull AIO for about 7 years (still working though surprisingly), but I decided it was time to do it finally, so I got the Corsair H100i Platinum (240mm with CoolIT pump) a couple days ago. I wanted to get suggestions here before I mounted it.

These is the current cooling setup in my case:
Case: Cooler Master HAF X
Front: 1x230mm fan (intake)
Side: 1x200mm fan (intake)
Top: 2x200mm fans (intake)
Rear: 2x120mm in push/pull for current AIO (exhaust)
GPU: ASUS 1080 STRIX so 3 open fans blowing into the case away from the GPU next to my side intake

With the H100i, since its a 240mm, it will have to be used at the top of my case (the only option with this case), replacing the 2 intake fans I have up there, and I will obviously leave the rear with 1 of the 120mm fans as exhaust. I just can't decide if I want to set the H100i up as an intake with the fans below the radiator pulling down into the case, or if I want it set up as an exhaust with the fans above the radiator pulling up out of the case (I'm only suggesting pull configs because of easier dust cleaning). I originally was going to use it as the latter, but in the instruction manual, Corsair recommends the AIO to be used as an intake even at the top of the case (their diagram pictured it being used at the top), which confused me since hot hair rises, but I realized that my current top fans are intakes themselves anyway.

So for my case and set up, what do you guys recommend: intake or exhaust, and why? Thanks!

[r.linder]

AIOs are best used as intake. Cooler CPU temps with no real effect on GPU temp, even at extreme CPU temps.

Intake on top is a no-no unless its the only option like it is for my 280mm AIO in the PC-O11D. Heat rises, so its best on the front or side as intake.

[Hazen]

İlk olarak Escorve tarafından gönderildi:

AIOs are best used as intake. Cooler CPU temps with no real effect on GPU temp, even at extreme CPU temps.

Intake on top is a no-no unless its the only option like it is for my 280mm AIO in the PC-O11D. Heat rises, so its best on the front or side as intake.

That's my problem because using it on top is the only option for this case. The front only has room for the 1x200mm fan at the bottom.

[Komrade]

İlk olarak Hazen tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Escorve tarafından gönderildi:

AIOs are best used as intake. Cooler CPU temps with no real effect on GPU temp, even at extreme CPU temps.

Intake on top is a no-no unless its the only option like it is for my 280mm AIO in the PC-O11D. Heat rises, so its best on the front or side as intake.

That's my problem because using it on top is the only option for this case. The front only has room for the 1x200mm fan at the bottom.

Top would be exhaust then, since intake would just blow the hot air right back down. Unless I'm wrong.

[_I_]

similar to sport cars with fmic (front mount intercooler)

outside air goes through the intercooler before entering the engine bay
intake and air filter -> turbo/supercharger compressor -> front mount intercooler to cool compressed air -> engine intake manifold

it sounds wrong to have heated air coming into the case, but the most important things get cooled first, with lots of airflow the incoming air is not heated very much (air is a very poor conductor of heat but has lots of thermal mass)

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Get a case where the rad can mount in front with fans setup as pull.

Use rear and top as hot air exhaust areas w/ case fans

[Hazen]

İlk olarak Bad 💀 Motha tarafından gönderildi:

Get a case where the rad can mount in front with fans setup as pull.

Use rear and top as hot air exhaust areas w/ case fans

Getting a new case isn't an option. Otherwise I'd just do a totally new build altogether where a front mount would be possible. That's why I made the post.

[CursedPanther]

İlk olarak Hazen tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Bad 💀 Motha tarafından gönderildi:

Get a case where the rad can mount in front with fans setup as pull.

Use rear and top as hot air exhaust areas w/ case fans

Getting a new case isn't an option. Otherwise I'd just do a totally new build altogether where a front mount would be possible. That's why I made the post.

Your options are limited either way, not unless you're about to position your case horizontally which makes the 'top' the new side panel as intake and the 'side' now the top exhaust.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

İlk olarak Hazen tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Bad 💀 Motha tarafından gönderildi:

Get a case where the rad can mount in front with fans setup as pull.

Use rear and top as hot air exhaust areas w/ case fans

Getting a new case isn't an option. Otherwise I'd just do a totally new build altogether where a front mount would be possible. That's why I made the post.

Well if the current case only allows the AIO rad to fit at the top, so be it. Then do top mounted push exhaust. Case top + Rad + Fans blowing up.

Unless you have room to do push + pull