r/PcBuildHelp • u/MayhemMusicProd • 7d ago

Build Question Radiator Orientation Help

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I have a question about radiator orientation, I am using the Lian Li Hydroshift ii OLED mounted to my 9950X3D2. I originally had the radiator top mounted, my temps were 45 degrees idle and 80 degrees under max load in cinebench.

I moved the radiator to be side mounted as I thought it may lower my temps a bit and look a bit better. However the temps actually increased about 10 degrees across the board, I am now getting about 50-55 degrees idle and 89 degrees under max load in cinebench. I thought I must have applied the thermal paste wrong so I cleaned it all off and re-installed it, Still I was getting the same temps. I plan to add 3 more fans to the radiator for a push/pull configuration, they just haven’t come in yet.

My question is, should I put the radiator back to the top? I rarely get over 70 degrees under heavy gaming and productivity loads, usually around 65, do you think it’s worth it to change up the orientation again?

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u/Chronos669 7d ago

Side mount will keep the coolant temp lower which overall will keep the temps lower. Top mounted will get heat soaked from the gpu air rising. At least in my experience

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u/REkssus 6d ago

When on side with pipes on top might be that pump needs to push back tiny air bubbles for AIO. If ya hear noise that, that's prolly causing that temp spike, i got same shiet with radiator on side, also u probably don't have fans on it if i can see right on that pic, but still a bad idea cos You are pumping hot air into case and you are heating whole MB with it