Push Pull mistakes to avoid with all in one coolers

Prawn here with a tips and tricks video on what NOT to do with your all in one liquid cooler when considering a push/pull setup with multiple fans.
In theory adding more fans to your radiator is a great idea as it means more airflow and therefore cooler liquid inside the radiator and better cooling performance. However, there are a few things to think about and mistakes to avoid, so I'm showing what those are here so you can plan out your build. I'm using the NZXT Kraken 280 Elite RGB for demo purposes here • NZXT Kraken 280 Elite ... but the logic will also apply to other all in one CPU coolers too.
Things to think about:
- Planning out your push pull setup BEFORE you do it, so you know there's space in the case
- Thinking about whether the radiator or the fans or the tubes will be a problem for the GPU
- Making sure the fans are facing the same way
- Not mixing different fans with different airflow capabilities and speeds
- Planning out how you're going to connect them (will your system handle multiple fans?)
- What extra cables will you need? Do you have enough SATA power? And USB headers?
As you'll see there are a lot of things to think about that could cause issues.
Please note links listed here include affiliate links which may earn me a commission. Find out more below.*
Amazon US - amzn.to/3r09Hoh
NewEgg - newegg.io/ncd17041b5
Best Buy - bestbuy.7tiv.net/k0avod
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3Jz8pau
Amazon FR - amzn.to/441XM8f
Amazon IT - amzn.to/44iRKzQ
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3r6UCRZ
Amazon CA - amzn.to/440CPu6
Corsair USB hub - go.corsair.com/5gM1Pj
NZXT fan controller:
Newegg - newegg.io/nc4092e7fb
Amazon US - amzn.to/3HK0Tsw
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3HiQhQ9
Amazon FR - amzn.to/3RhSsbe
Amazon IT - amzn.to/3jhgOW1
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3HmKlWn
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3HfhS4s
Specs of this build:
Case - NZXT H7 Flow RGB
Motherboard - Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Elite AX • Gigabyte Z790 Elite AX...
CPU - Intel Core i5-13600K
RAM - Crucial Pro 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR5-5600
NVMe SSD - Corsair MP600 GS (go.corsair.com/gbmMY2)
PSU - Corsair RM1000e PSU ( • Corsair RM1000e PSU un... )
GPU - Gigabyte RTX 4070 TI 12G OC • Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti 1...
Fans - NZXT Core RGB
AIO cooler - NZXT Kraken Elite 280mm • NZXT Kraken 280 Elite ...
Features of this cooler:
2.36” diameter wide-angle LCD display with 640x640 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate provides a sharp image from any viewing angle
Screen supports the display of custom images, animated GIFs, and CAM system info with adjustable orientation
Powerful Asetek pump provides optimal cooling and up to 2,800 RPM whisper-quiet operation
Includes F140/F120 RGB Core fans
Includes RGB Controller, RGB Fans, & USB Y-Cable
Single breakout cable simplifies installation
Rubber tubing is reinforced with nylon-braided sleeves to prevent leaks
Control custom screen content, RGB, pump speed, and zero-noise fan curves with NZXT CAM software.
Related videos:
Common Mistakes You Might be Making with Your PC Fan Setup! PC airflow tips and tricks • Common Fan Layout Mist...
How to wire and connect NZXT F120 and F140 RGB Duo fans • How to wire and connec...
Where to connect PC case cables, power cables and more - computer wiring tips • Where to connect PC ca...
Avoid these problems with your all in one CPU cooler • Avoid These Common All...
0:00 Hello
1:02 Enough screws
1:19 Fan placement logic
3:03 Don't mix and match fans
3:43 Using case fans and how to install
4:04 Mounting the radiator
5:05 Wiring problems
7:04 Fan power wiring
8:45 USB connection issues
🏆Big thanks to my super awesome KZbin members:
SirSpawnsALot, Meatykeyboard, Rawrr483, Aaron Yarden, Space Cannons, Riggs79, Mike S, Jay Shank 007, Jason Morgan, Starastin, Charles Latrom, McFarty, Chief Hao, Kraken Tortoise and Megan Schafer.
📌 Support the channel:
😍 See the benefits of being a member here - / @theprovokedprawn
Get some merch - theprovokedprawn.com/
Check out my dedicated Amazon Storefront to see my current fave gear - www.amazon.com/shop/theprovok...
📸 Recorded with amzn.to/3kYrhGP
PLEASE NOTE
Affiliate links*:
Disclosure: Shopping links within the description of this video generate a commission at no extra cost to you. These are added for your convenience but other retailers are available. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Products:
Products featured may also have been sent for free for review/testing purposes. Often these have to be returned by me, but not always. I endeavour to avoid bias in my videos wherever possible and try to give honest, subjective opinions.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Specs of this build: Case - NZXT H7 Flow RGB Motherboard - Gigabyte Aorus Z790 Elite AX kzbin.info/www/bejne/boiuaImjqt15rtE CPU - Intel Core i5-13600K RAM - Crucial Pro 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR5-5600 NVMe SSD - Corsair MP600 GS (go.corsair.com/gbmMY2) PSU - Corsair RM1000e PSU (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIbRl6h8a9OGjNk) GPU - Gigabyte RTX 4070 TI 12G OC kzbin.info/www/bejne/lV7FpmmnedaYjaM Fans - NZXT Core RGB AIO cooler - NZXT Kraken Elite 280mm kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWbVZIZ9aKZ2rac Things worth buying (note these are affiliate links that may earn me a commission at no extra cost to you): Kraken Elite 280: Amazon US - amzn.to/3r09Hoh NewEgg - newegg.io/ncd17041b5 Best Buy - bestbuy.7tiv.net/k0avod Amazon UK - amzn.to/3Jz8pau Amazon FR - amzn.to/441XM8f Amazon IT - amzn.to/44iRKzQ Amazon DE - amzn.to/3r6UCRZ Amazon CA - amzn.to/440CPu6 Corsair USB hub - go.corsair.com/5gM1Pj NZXT fan controller: Newegg - newegg.io/nc4092e7fb Amazon US - amzn.to/3HK0Tsw Amazon UK - amzn.to/3HiQhQ9 Amazon FR - amzn.to/3RhSsbe Amazon IT - amzn.to/3jhgOW1 Amazon DE - amzn.to/3HmKlWn Amazon CA - amzn.to/3HfhS4s

[@joshsheinis5968]

Solution: buy lian li interlocking fans and have one cable for all 4 fans on the radiator

[@HarryAyA]

Your shorter videos are so helpful for breaking down small aspects of a build. The longer ones are better for seeing how complicated things can get but also, how those complications can be worth it for a really well functioning and good looking build.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Thanks. I know the long ones are probably not for everyone but hope they help some!

[@HarryAyA]

@@TheProvokedPrawn Yeah. I think one of the upsides to the long videos is seeing the full process and how it comes together. I imagine it can sometimes be hard to apply the knowledge gained from lots of short videos. It also helps give a good idea of an ordering of process, so you don't end up getting some things in the way. Also just in general it's all in one place so you don't have to look through loads of videos. I'm glad you make videos in both styles because if I need a more focused and detailed breakdown on one particular aspect of a build the short videos can really help me get my head around it. Thanks for the great content, keep up the good work.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

@@HarryAyA thank you. Appreciate you.

[@jcnwillemsen]

Thxn for the video, a clear arguments to not use such a setup, besides the most important one: the terrible cooling due to turbulent flow as its never in balance (in out). Next the flow velocity, that is likely to fast, that actually decreases cooling as you create a thermal boundary.

[@fr3ak1shh]

Brilliant! This is helping tremendously with my NZXT H9 Flow build.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Excellent.

[@NZXTglobal]

Thanks for the tips! 👍👍

[@WardenCraftOffical]

Hi NZXT I bought your kraken 360

[@benbunch4159]

With a 240mm instead of a 280mm in this case (well at least in the H510 flow, I think it will work here) you have the room to mount the rad and pusher fans in front of the bracket and just put the pullers behind. So you could easily clear that video card. You might be able to do a 280mm if you cut the bracket to allow the tubes to pass through.

[@alxbkers]

I have a push pull setup in my Lian Li O11 mini on the side. Intake on the bottom and exhaust on the top and rear of the case. Works well for me. Idling at under 30 degrees and under stress never warmer than 60 degrees celcius.

[@MrVoayer]

Yet another video to watch several times and study thoroughly in order to avoid all the traps and pitfalls of adding another set of fans for a Push-Pulll configuration. Daisy chainable fans could be of immense help there ! Thank you, PP, for drawing our attentntion to pssible problems and for sharing your experience and sound advice. P.S. What dou you think will I finally have a voice like yours If I eat a lot of sandpaper ;-)

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

That would be uncomfortable and not at all tasty

[@fr3ak1shh]

A few corrections at 3:43 (unless I'm misunderstanding something): - The NZXT H7 Flow case does NOT come with 3 140mm fans mounted to the front. It comes with 2 F120 Quiet Airflow fans accordion to the specs on NZXT's website. - The quiet airflow fans it comes with do NOT have the same specs as the RGB Duos. Which now I'm bamboozled! I got the H9 Flow and was hoping to use the case fans as the Pull (outside) fans for the Push-Pull config. But the specs are different, so it's probably not in my best interest to do so. So I may abandon that and just be normal. Boo!

[@fr3ak1shh]

UPDATE: I sent screw it and threw the case fans in with the RGB Duos anyways! Will report back if I experience any issues, but so far so good.

[@Nodnarb69]

@@fr3ak1shhstill going good?

[@ThtsDirty]

Hey Prawn, thoughts on that Kraken screen versus the Corsair LCD?

[@simonecoggiola3128]

Nice video, trying to understand some advice because I have a kraken 280 non rgb and a Thermaltake P5 green runnin' flat (horizontal). Something tells me it will be very difficult to mount.

[@moalrobae2852]

Correct if I am wrong but the correct way to mount a push pull setup is 2:45?

[@barneyvapes]

how should I place my bottom fans? as intake? which means face down?

[@W3g-uy1ej]

Hello how can i do a push pull config with my 6 lian li Sl120 v2 fans on a nzxt Kraken elite 360 AIO radiator? I need help!

[@Ulstercelt]

Have you made a video demonstrating a push/pull configuration with a Lian Li Galahad II LCD 360 AIO? I'm wondering if the extra fans would need a Y-splitter for both the ARGB and Fan connector to go into one port on the L-Connect box or is 6 fans going into one port too much for the unit to handle, therefore the extra 3 fans would go into it's own port and you'd set fan speed to match the initial AIO fans?

[@popoetic]

So you have the the front of the radiator as exhaust and the back side as intake?

[@XxAtomic646xX]

I want to do a push pull on mine just to drop the radiator down a bit. Can I just add 3 more fans that are at least equal or better in specs?

[@Prabhu_njd]

I'm limited in space on my case. Can i mix fans with 15mm fans and 25mm fans on my 30mm radiator to run push/pull on my i9-13900ks? Case is the rog hyperion gr701. Thanks to anyone for advice.

[@goshin1]

hi sir, is it possible to plug 2 240mm aio fan into fan hub? since i dont have enough fan header on my motherboard

[@JWalker68]

Must the in and out of the radiator not to be on the highest point, so the air always goes to the highest point, instead of the pump. Air in the pump can destroy the pump

[@davidonwp]

9:51 Sounds like Elvis Presley is making a video about computers.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

that's a new one!

[@JamesJohnAgar]

With the latest processors/GPUs could you get away with just two fans(1 for cpu & 1 at the back of the case)?

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Depends on what you mean, but I showed "fewer" fans in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGayimyiob2FrdE

[@ChasseurTueur]

i would say no, especially when these rich people need most powerful hardware :) and you would need airflow case :)

[@KARL_BINGHAM]

Hi this might be a stupid question but I'm currently building my first ever gaming pc,I have a ryzen 9 7950x3d processor and I'm wanting to put my corsair h150i elite lcd aio cooler,will the stock thermal paste be okay or should I apply my own thermal paste to make sure the processor is completely covered,the 7950x3d is not a typical square or rectangular shape its kind like a jigsaw piece with little bits sticking out

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

yes it'll be fine

[@KARL_BINGHAM]

@@TheProvokedPrawn thankyou

[@AexoeroV]

Hey, never had an AIO cooler, natively the fans will push air through the radiator?

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Yes

[@AexoeroV]

@@TheProvokedPrawn cool, thanks!

[@dekmedina]

what is you recommended AIO orientation sir?

[@alxbkers]

He mentions it in the video. Ideally as exhaust on the top of your case.

[@craigdjbuller1844]

Helllppp ! I'm building my first pc in this case. I have x2 140 at bottom, x3 that come with case at front, a rear 120 exhaust at back, 360 aio at top. I don't think x5 intakes and x4 exhaust is ok?? I was going to flip the x1 aio fan over so its a intake closest to the x3 front fans. The flipped fan would get cold air and I would have x6 intake and x3 exhaust which sounds better. Is this fine to do I've looked a couple of hours on Google etc and nobody has done this , confused why not as to me it will cool the cpu better and increase the cold air in case. So confused 😂

[@meatykeyboard8399]

Those USB connections mount up fast

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Haha yeah

[@boblook5901]

Isnt it fine to have fans with diff speeds as long as the push isn't impeded by the pull? E.g. the pull is the stronger fan.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

It's ok, but it's not optimal.

[@VOX-TRO]

It's not optimal but it wouldn't make the temps worse right? I'm planning to add a radiator behind the front intake fans (and keep the lower speed intake fans) with a faster fan behind the radiator. Thanks in advance, I'd really appreciate the feedback!

[@kenwolf6842]

The white Rog Strix is so pretty... why did the black one have the stupid red & blue colors 😮‍💨

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

Ah, yeah we get ya - the white one is definitely the winner here.

[@sol_theguy]

Would you recommend a push pull setup for a top mounted radiator? I’ve got a few fans left over from my current build in the h6 flow 😅

[@mchwmedia]

depends if it fits in the case, if yes go for it

[@sol_theguy]

@@mchwmedia it unfortunately did not quite fit! Couple mm off the motherboard!

[@meatykeyboard8399]

First

[@meganschafer7329]

Damn it.

[@WardenCraftOffical]

Third

[@norkris8729]

2 errors in this vid. 1. the diff fans stuff does not matter. 2. front mounted is best.

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

If you could just scroll down through the comments a bit and argue with the other guy who says the front mounting is wrong, that'd be great. Because I'm not arguing with you as well.

[@norkris8729]

@@TheProvokedPrawn front mounted AIO's are proven to be the best. no argument rly :)

[@TheProvokedPrawn]

No argument because I'm not going to argue. But my testing shows front restricts airflow and isn't as efficient. And it's not "wrong" as the other guy says either.

[@norkris8729]

@@TheProvokedPrawn do u have a vid on it? :)

[@notmundaze]

Bro is really beefing