This Will KILL Your CPU & AIO Cooler! How To Install Cooler 

Do not kill your AIO cooler or CPU! Install and Orientation is important! How are you guys doing?

This is what happens when "youtubers" jump on the hype of other videos... Almost all the pictures labeled as "wrong!" are perfectly fine...

The overall message was right, but if ur pump is lower than the highest point on your radiator than you are pretty much fine unless you have quite a bit of air in your loop. It’s not that bad Because the pull of the pump will not bring air to get stuck in the pump.Great video though, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

To anyone seeing this video. You can front mount the radiator w/ lines up. I’ve done with lines up on countless builds and has never once been an issue, and they’ve lasted for years, and still going. Just don’t put your rad at the bottom.

Dude repeated the same thing like 10 times. I wanted to know the correct way to do and he just goes and repeats the same thing again…

If the pump isn't the highest point of the loop it's not an issue. Don't spread false knowledge ;)

Let me give you a great ideea and maybe you'll stop bashing people just because got in the "bash train" after you saw GN's video. ( Because i'm pretty sure you weren't even commenting a single word before that video about the orientation ). Go ahead and purchase a transparent plexi-radiator with a pump ( a general one, not PC related ) and test orientations and observe what does what. Your argument about doing 20+ years of computers is doing nothing since you are clearly in denial of the fact that it's OK ( and actually totaly fine ) to have pipes up, as long as the pump is lower. Please, do some damn basic research in fluid, air and thermodynamics and stop telling people that literally over a decade of AIO's has been wrong just because Steve told us some info about a "more optimal" orientation. Stop being toxic. PS: It's your word against researchers and propper engineers, why do you even do this... ?

It doesn't matter as long as you haven't trapped the air in the pump in the first place. Just run it with the rad above the pump for a short time. The lines at the bottom are the best however, not because of air gaps but because of the thermosyphon effect.The pump will pump hot water to the bottom of the rad which, being hot will rise up naturally, assisting the pump. As it cools after the rise up it will sink down the second half of the rad because its denser. this effect reduces stress on the pump and in theory could mean some flow even if the pump isn't running

The thumbnail in the video is actually completely okay to do... as long as the pump isn't higher than the rad. Jay two cents talked about this and corrected it

Totally fine to have the AIO pump higher as long as the top of the rad is the highest point in the loop. Some loops aren't physically long enough to reach the CPU if you put the connection to the radiator at the bottom of the case mount. Really need to watch JayzTwoCents vid on this.

It's not about lines, it's about pump Pump must be lower than top part of radiator. So you kind of have a point, but dude

This is funny af. It does not matter if tubes are up or down as long as the pump is lower than the top of the rad.

It is enough if the highest point of the system is somewhere in the radiator. The air doesn't flow downwards with the water, it stays in the uppermost part of the system.

Pump's up at the front doesn't matter, air comes in the highest place of the loop so if the top of the rad is higher that the pump it's fine. Pump's down is better but not always compatible if you have a large gpu.

Sorry, but Science says you are wrong, lines at the top are fine since air rises, and does not sink....

I guess multimillion dollar companies with staffing of developers and engineers don't know what they're doing. Other RU-vidr's and sources have already said side mounted loop on top is perfectly fine. Top radiator mount is best. But if so many manufacturers are doing the side mount. I'm certain there's no problem.

I agree to the way you pointed, installing the radiator on the top, with the pump on the bottom of the loop, but what didn't get is, how the pump would draw air, since it's a water pump, well sealed, or otherwise if it draws air, it wouldn't work it's optimum efficiency, or might fail, I thing the reason mounting it downside the loop is to minimize the water head below it, which has something to do with hydraulics, means the whole height of the water in the pipe should be above the pump, not below it, so it can circulate without overloaded( for a water pump, pumping water is easier than suction, unless it's a sump pump, which is meant for sumps), IMAO, this is how I understand how all water pumps generally operates.

Just keep the pump below the top on the rad, so the air doesn't have to go through it. Very hard to do this wrong unintentionally, rad orientation will make a lifespan difference but it's negligible.

Okay so, let's say, you flipped that rad and as you flipped it some of that air got in the hoses. Now if you got air in the hose, gravity will bring the air to the top of the hoses and into the pump, the air will not go back down the hose to the bottom band into the rad and back to the top of the rad. The only way to make sure it's correct would be to lay the PC on its back so the whole rad is above the pump and the air will push back into the rad

I've had my 360mm radiator installed on the front of my case, lines up for three years, no problems, and still have great temps.

So... putting the hoses at the bottom of the radiator and below the pump isn't necessarily "bad" but it's not optimal. What he's done is create a local maximum potential in the pump, while maintaining a global maximum potential at the top of the radiator. The probability of this creating an issue is low, but it's not the optimal orientation. What can happen is, if the system is sufficiently disturbed, say you move it to another location, any air which is in the radiator can end up trapped in the pump when you set it back upright. While the pump will probably get the air out, it's a lot of extra stress on the components and can lead to early failure. Ideally your pump is at a local or global minimum potential. Such that in operational orientation air will freely rise out of the pump. It's not a huge concern, but your best option is to have the pump hoses exit upward, and always move generally upward towards the radiator, and to have the hose be at the bottom of the radiator. Given this isn't really possible with ATX form factor. The next best alternative is top mounting the radiator. If you must have a front mounted radiator, put the hoses at the top, and when you hear gurgling top off the fluid.

We would like to see some actual test results for noise decibels and cooling performance for all the different installation orientations. A 5 or 10 degrees or decibel difference would be interesting to know for mounting the cooler at 3 or 6 o'clock.

I’ve had my 360mm radiator mounted in the front for about five years now. Everything is still alive and stays at optimal temps.

As long as the top of the physical dimensions of the system is above the pump/block, you should be fine. You have to think of the entire thing as one water tank. The line can be up, but it's *more optimal* for them to be down, but it doesn't really matter as long as the pump itself is not the highest point in the system. Slightly below is fine, dead even is dicey, above is not ok

It doesn't matter if the tubes are on top or bottom as long as the radiator is higher than the pump.

No it will not.. been running for 5 years same as thumnail and never had any issue

Bruv, as long as the pump is lower than the top of the radiator it's fine. This rule is all one needs to follow. It doesn't matter if the lines are at the top or bottom. Really it doesn't. Been installing with the lines at the top for years and had zero issues as long as the pump was lower.

He's partially right here if you can mount the tubes at the bottom do that but what matters more though is the highest point of the loop is above the block Jayztwocents did a whole TLDR video on this as follow up as well as Steve from Gamers Nexus when everyone watched Steve's original video and tried to imply tubes down was the only proper way to mount the radiator which even Steve admitted is not always possible. You just may get some gurgling noises if the tubes are at the top of the loop which Steve points out as the biggest concern with that configuration. Still though if you want to be absolutely safe mount your AIO at the top of the case. This is the way even Steve recommends if possible. For those saying that's the worst spot you obviously need to look into your intake fans because there should be plenty of cool air constantly moving into the case. Steve also mentioned in his follow up even the incorrect way I.E block at the top of the loop rad at the bottom which is really the only way that will prematurely destroy your AIO if that's the only way it'll fit looking at you Phanteks Shift case then you just gotta roll the dice. Also permeation will happen regardless of how your loop is setup.

What you are saying isn't accurate. Not to be ignorant but it is indeed not correct while talking about a pump. It don't matter where you put the block or any part of it for that matter because you are forcing that fluid through the radiator and through the hoses to the block. It isn't using gravity or convection to push the water around.

as long as the pump is lower than the highest point of the rad its fine

The message/photos at the beginning of this video are misleading. It is NOT incorrect to have the lines running to the top of the radiator as long as the pump is below the top of the radiator, and if you have a 360 mm radiator this is going to be almost always the case! The images in the beginning of this video are not an incorrect way to mount the AIO. If you have a 360mm radiator, it is almost always going to be fine to mount it with the lines at the top because the pump is going to be BELOW where the air from permeation would get trapped. Now the reason some people say not to have the lines at the top is because over time you may hear that aquarium noise as permeation occurs but this is simply air at the top of the radiator that is at the inlet and should not pose any risk to the pump. Now if you want the quietest possible setup it is best to have the lines near the bottom (as long as the radiator is mounted so that the top of the radiator is higher than the pump, but to say it is incorrect is misinformation, because this is not bad for the pump. Where the concern is, is with a smaller radiator where you can possibly have the pump at the top of the setup where water/coolant can be trapped at the pump which is indeed bad.

it has been already proved by science that this isn't that bad. please viewers don take him to seriously. wont kill your cpu as your CPU has process that protect itself, second with newer pumps and AIO this is not even close to making a huge difference. this guy needs to look at some vides from Jay2cents and nexus.

This is the problem with RU-vid. It’s like a game of telephone.

Doesn’t matter as long as your pump isn’t the highest point in the loop.

Bad advice. Worst: bottom, unless the pump isn't in the block AND you can have the tubes exit the TOP of the block, in which case you will likely have few problems until there's too much air in the tubes above the block. 2nd worst: top, especially if the pump is in the rad, your temps will be higher in most cases. Also, a lot of people cannot get their tubes to the bottom of a front- or side--mounted rad, especially in larger cases and/or if the GC is very long. Again, where the pump is is a definite factor in the installation!

As long as the pump isn't the highest point in the loop, it's not going to damage anything.

If NZXT and Corsair show aio mounted like that, i'm pretty much sure they know how it's supposed to be mounted. They have designers and they knew about it. That's why there is a tank on top of the water block. But, i agree with your point. The way you show avoids the best air from going into the pump. And water even in aio goes out at a moment wich means they are going to have air bubbles at a moment. Yet, your pump is gonna die before it happens.

Wow what a pile of misinformation

Lines at the top are SAFE as long as we follow the laws of simple physics. Air is less dense than liquid period and will collect at the HIGHEST point. The pump needs to be at a lower point. The REASON for the lines on the bottom is primarily for one reason less noise.

Wrong. This is highly dependent on were your pump is. If your is on the head not the cooler, flipping the radiator will force the air to go to the pump.There is nothing wrong with the way NZXT and the rest of the marketers installed the AIO. The key is just use some common sense and mount your AIO such that pump is lower than your reservoir. You want air in your reservoir not yor pump.

The pump isn't strong enough to suck the air from the lines above the pump all the way down the lines and into the pump. As long as the radiator is level with or above the pump, you're good.

As long as the top of the pump is BELOW the bottom part of the tubes, it is okay. Better if the tubes coming out of the pump is above the pump. If not, make sure no air or bubbles got trapped in the pump by moving or shaking the pump while the tubes are up. By physics law, air bubbles will be pushed by the water and WILL stay on the very top of the construct. Which is the inlet tube of the radiator. Refer to the original setup of this video. The outlet from radiator will always be free of air bubbles in this way.

Try putting a 360mm radiator any other way but hoses up top when you have two case fans in the top of the case, dual stacked SATA cages right in front of the bottom of the radiator and a 340mm RTX4080 in between. I've got mine setup to get downhill to the pump from the radiator top and I'm idling at 28c, averaging 35c-45c in regular use, and 70c-72c in Cinebench multicore and games. And I've got no V shaped bend in my hoses right at the fittings to get around the drive cages. Computer is quiet as a mouse. So not sure if serious.

Actually, it’s fine to have the lines at the top. As long as the pump is lower.

It's the reason I decided against using AIO, I often change orientation and rotation of my custom PC chassis, and I simply don't want to deal with dead pump in 2-3 years down the line.

Best way is to put radiator on the top of the case with lines sloping towards CPU/Pump. Air bubbles rise to the top even if flow of water is to the bottom, Pump must be the lowest spot and lines should gradually rise to the radiator, any other install is wrong.

You should not blow hot air from the radiator towards the inside of the box. If those fans at the front were reversed you would be fine, as long as the rear fan was also reversed to bring cool air into the box. That is one reason why using the radiator at the top is better, because people don't make these mistakes.

Umm… your camera angle is not good. could only see half of your face the whole time

Apart from not being fully correct (Since the air will mostly stay above the tube inlet/outlet on the radiator) But your not wrong about it being beter with tubes down But there is a more serious mistake with the setup that you have in that NZXT case that I noticed and it’s listed as one of the most common stupid Mistake’s people make with regards to liquid cooling radiators … You have a push/pull setup with different fans to push from the pull fans To fix this you can move one of the push fans to the pull side at the same height as the other one is and the same for the fans on the pull side so that both fans are in line with each other You could also replace 2 fans with the same type that are currently used on ether the push or pull side The issue is that the fans are not the same on both sides and that results in the fans working against each other If the pull fans can move more air than the push fans than the push fans are restricting airflow If the push fans can move more air than the pull fans than the pull fans are restricting airflow This can result into noise and performance issues It can even be so bad that running only push or pull fans setups might even give you beter performance than the push/pull setup you are currently running

Solution: put your pump radiator on the roof of your case, routinely top out your pump’s fluid and try using coolant instead of water, since water tends to evaporate more inside of AIO coolers. I think that solves most of the main issues.

The craziest thing about this video is that the about the half minute mark it said “circle triangle square” this is the same variation of the card in squid game

This is actually a sub-optimal installation. Installing it like this, the CPU block becomes the highest point in the loop (where air will want to collect), and the hoses at the top of the radiator make it that much easier for air to travel to the CPU block. AIO coolers always have air in them, both to allow for thermal expansion without bursting at seams, and as a byproduct of production. Over time, the liquid will evaporate and more air will be introduced into the system. All of this air is going to want to rise to the highest point in the loop - the CPU block. The pump can't effectively move a gas like air, so it will just remain here. Not only does the air not displace the heat properly causing reduced thermal efficiency, but it also will cause damage to the pump that resides inside this block. This cooler setup will fail prematurely, and potentially shorten the life of the processor. And in the mean time, it will probably be annoyingly noisy. As such, the radiator must always be the highest point in the loop, no exception.

I mount my aio in the front hoses at the top and pump slightly below the top. I just make sure the lines coming out are at 3 o clock and lines pointing down. No issues.

you should definitly watch JayzTwoCents videos abute this!

Re: 1.12 The picture that says this is wrong. He is wrong. Whilst having your AIO installed that way is not ideal it is by no means bad or wrong. As long as the pump is not above the radiator you will be fine, the air will collect at the top of the radiator. It would be better to fit the radiator with the tubes at the bottom but usually the tubes aren't long enough or the GPU gets in the way. But if you can fit the radiator to the roof of your case in exhaust is best. Ignore him, you will be fine with tubes at the top as long as pump isn't higher.

This info is incorrect. Its a good thing youtube hid the dislikes now 😆

Sorry buddy. But your advice is off. As long as your pump is NOT the highest point, you are good. So of the highest point is the top of the rad there wont happen anything to your pump. Sciense

I had builds before all with different positioning of the rad.. bottom, top, side or front in my experience installing AIO I never encountered any problem.. except for one that the AIO completely fail after more than 6 months now that is a manufacturer defect.. I believe it`s all in the way manufacturers build their product. But great video man. keep it up!

There both the correct ways as long as the top of the pump is below the top radiator. Nothing to worry about if u have enough water in there as the pump is not strong enough to suck the bubbles down

As long as the pump isn't the highest point in the loop it don't matter. Linus

You're assuming the only way air is going to enter the loop is through the radiator. That's incorrect as air can make it in through the hoses. Having the hoses go upwards from the CPU block allows air to not get stuck in the block. If hoses go down from the block, the air that enters the loop via the hoses will get stuck in the block. If you can't top-mount the radiator then make sure theirs a reasonable amount of hose above the CPU block to trap air bubbles so they don't enter the block. With an AIO with pre-cut hoses, that's going to require mounting the hoses up in most instances.

I've had my aio "upside-down" for the passed 3 years and it effects pretty much nothing. The only thing you need to worry about is that your pump is not the highest part of the loop.

This is simply not true. Mounting the radiator lines up might cause a barely noticeable noise after a few months, but it will NOT do any damage.

On todays episode of "average Joe thinks he's smart" we have this clown

How in hell a person giving such bad info has 200k views. As long as the pump is not in the hight spot everything is fine....... Please correct yourself......

Learned something new today!

I love that I'm paying attention to this whole guy's head in my monitor attentively.

Gamer nexus thumbnail shows opposite

As long as your radiator is above your pump you will be fine Jayz 2 Cents made a whole video about it💯🔥

Ummmm no, its fine if the pump is lower than the top

As a programmer analyst from the 90s and with decades experience in tech support and systems operations, I also find it astounding how many people suddenly like to "appear knowledgeable".... there's lots of RU-vidr "opinion and advice".... to me, this is a pretty clear example of opinion vs EXPERTISE which comes with years of experience....I do appreciate that people try and do something with their time, but I dunno.... ever give ChatterB8 a try? 😊 peace out

I've had mine installed like the thumbnail for 4 years.... Zero issues. I didn't even bother repasting. 9700k at 5ghz on all cores, 75c on max load lol. Never above 65 during gaming sessions.

Another great video buddy 👍

If your PC is builr for mostly gaming, and have a fan cooled GPU, it's usually best to mount the AIO on top so that the GPU, Ram, VRM's and motherboard components get cooler air from the front case fans instead of receiving a front mounted AIO hot air. If you dont game and dont use a high power GPU, then front mount AIO with tubes on the bottom of radiator is best in cooling CPU by a few Celsius compaired to top mount AIO. Then again,, your ram, VRM's and other motherboard components will end up having higher temps. So what manynpeople forget about is what your using your PC for and the motherboard component temps. I mount my AIO on top so that my other motherboard components receive air from the front case fans and keeping my GPU and motherboard components cooler. Top mount is really the best of both worlds for a single AIO use. Hope this helps people out.

Which chair did you get Corey? Time for a new one for me.

Sorry, but it's wrong. Like you said - best option would be to mount radiator on the top of the case. When you have to mount it on the side - in/output tubes should be higher then CPU Cooling block. Air goes up - water stays down and goes pumped direct to CPU Cooling block. No bubbles, no air. You have said it directly on 03:45 - there is no difference if the radiator is laying down or standing up on the front of the case when the tubes have to go up the same way up to CPU block. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

There is no air in the pump with the tubes top either The reservoir at the top of the rad might gurgle a little but it’s literally not factual that air is going to go into the pump with front mount tubes top The air isn’t going to travel DOWN the tubes and into the pump If this was the case then a top mount radiator would also have a problem

Gamers nexus says you're wrong.

Excellent video! This is good info 👌

This guy knows nothing about how to correctly frame a video, example of which is 0:33 onward.

I wouldnt say that it would kill your aio. I been placing it on your original position for years and many other people too due to case complications. Even jay2cent,bitwit, and Greg Salazar say it was okay.

Your video is almost right. As long as your intakes are higher than your pump when installed with lines up, air will never get into the pump. The pump is just not strong enough to get the air in your pump. The air will always be at the intake side of your radiator. If your gpu is bigger you can still go for the 360

i have thermaltake suppressor f1 case that have motherboard installed at the bottom, whitch radiator position should i install ? ps: sorry, english is not my first language :")

I wouldn't say that top is better than front (correctly mounted). It depends on your case and what you want. For example, radiator front = cooler cpu, radiator top = cooler gpu.

Life saver! thanks man

The message of this video is mostly correct. As long as the pump is lower than the top of the radiator there will be no wire getting into the pump

Totally agree, just because some people can mount it lines up doesn’t make it correct. You can do things a certain way for your entire life it just means it’s been wrong your entire life. This is textbook install. Good video

the air will be surging the top of the loop,....wich in all cases you let see is right.......the air(wich is a very very little ammount in an aio) wil be sitting in the radiator on top. the trapped air has much power to stay on top of the radiator then get with the flow an transfert to a lower point were the pump is installed......the aoi pump isn't strong enough to pump the air to a lower point .... steve did the test and the air only travelt to the pump when the top off the radiator was lower than the pump..........don't tell BS to greenhorns but get them the right info ... all the pictures of the loops with the cabels on top were installed correctly,.......if you here an nois in your pump tip the case several times and turn it so the trapped air (in some corner in the cool element ) will get into the loop and get stuck in the highest point of the loop.....

This video is the only incorrect thing here, as long as your pump is lower than the highest point of your AIO then it’s completely fine.

i might be wrong but wont putting the radiator as shown in the video make the pump the highest point?

Long story short, don't mount the rad on the bottom. Common sense. As long as the pump is below the highest point of rad your fine. Don't let these RU-vid people scare you.

2:52 what?! there was a red wii?? mind blowing. I thought the black one i dad once was the coolest.

To the OP. Dude! WTF! I get it you are smart and experienced. Halfway through your video, we still do no see the correct installation of AIO. There are two AIO in system. One for CPU , one for GPU. Now what is the CORRECT ideal installation ?

Thank u so much I couldn't put it at the top bc it didn't fit so I had to put it in the front and I didn't think of a good Placement

If you use the word “better” and “worse” the audience expects you to explain “why exactly”.

Miss your streams man. Come back !

Lines down, reservoir above pump. It’s pretty simple.

Hey, does this still apply if the 120 mounted at the back of the case? Thanks in advance. Nvm you covered it later in the video, cheers.

Why do people believe this? If your pump inlet is at the lowest part of the rad the air will rise to the top of the rad as air is lighter than water pump location dont mean jack its location of pump inlet that matters

Good video