Radiator must be mounted above pump?

[Xtrykr]

Is that the only way it can be setup? Thanks.

[Zephik]

It can be mounted pretty much wherever you want it to be mounted as far as I know.

I suppose the lower the better, technically speaking, as the pump wouldn't have to work as hard to deliver the fluid to each component. But meh, I doubt it'd make a difference at all in a PC setup.

Most pumps can handle pretty much anything within a normal PC atmosphere. You'd only run into problem in extreme scenarios like having a component twenty feet above the computer or something. lol

Edit: But hey, as far as I know, who knows? lol I could be wrong.

[Xtrykr]

So wait, why is it that most cases have the radiator mounted above the pump? Wouldnt it be more efficient if the radiator was mounted below like you said? Thanks!

[Zephik]

Well, even if the pump is mounted above everything, it still has to come back up to the pump eventually. So it'd really only work if everything was mounted on par with each other. Nothing higher, nothing lower. But that's just technically speaking, in a PC environment there is no reason to do that. There wouldn't be a benefit. I was just speaking technically.

I don't think it'll matter where you mount any given component so long as it's all within like twenty feet of each other. lol

I think the only issue is when you mount the reservoir below the pump. Maybe. You'd just still have to have a bottom outlet so as not to suck nothing but air, I guess. Maybe if you had it completely full, I suppose... hmm.

[Xtrykr]

So having a pump above the resevoir is okay? (assuming I have enough airflow with the resevoir mounted at the bottom?)

[Zephik]

Are we talking about radiators or reservoirs here? lol

I'd assume it'd be okay so long as you have the coolant flowing out through the bottom of the reservoir, otherwise I'd assume you'd have an air bubble problem or something unless the reservoir was perfectly full?

[blaze15301]

the res must be above the pump or you will suck air like zephik said.

[Xtrykr]

Im talking about the radiator. I don't have a reservoir for my setup.

[x88x]

the res must be above the pump or you will suck air like zephik said.

Not necessarily. You just have to make sure that the pump is not the highest point in the loop. The reason for this is because any air bubbles will migrate to the highest point, and if this is the pump then problems arise. The best thing to do is have the highest point be a fillport. This also helps a lot with filling the loop.

As for the original question, yes, it should be fine as long as something is above the pump, for the reason I stated above. The reason that the pump is normally put at or near the bottom is because no matter where you put it, the fluid will have to be lifted the same distance, but the push from the pump is strongest right after the fluid leaves it. The being said, as long as you get a good pump it doesn't really matter. Any decent PC pump will have a head (the distance that the pump will push water, at native tubing ID, straight up) of at least 2-3m.

[Xtrykr]

Ah, okay, cool, so as long as something in my loop is above the pump should be good. Thanks alot x88x.

P.S. I had to make some revisions to my case mod. Should be able to get some updates in the coming weeks.

[Drum Thumper]

My train of thought on this is that the radiator is usually above the pump because heat rises, and you don't wish to create excessive wear on the pump (i.e. a warmer than ambient area, since the pump will create some heat from friction).

My $.02, take it with a grain of salt cause I've yet to WC a computer.

[Xtrykr]

Hrmm, other than filling and draining, are there any other benefits to a reservoir?

[Zephik]

Hrmm, other than filling and draining, are there any other benefits to a reservoir?

It's almost kind of like a radiator as the coolant will have a little time to cool down before it's recirculated, otherwise the coolant just immediately goes back through the loop. So you might see a degree-ish in temperature drop. Maybe. Also you won't have to fill up as often.

Although, this is the one I'd get if I were to water-cool, so you lose the benefit of that slight temp drop, but hey it's like a thousand times easier to refill that reservoir and it's kind of like a badge of sorts.

http://www.dangerden.com/store/fillport-reservoir.html

[Spawn-Inc]

My train of thought on this is that the radiator is usually above the pump because heat rises, and you don't wish to create excessive wear on the pump (i.e. a warmer than ambient area, since the pump will create some heat from friction).

My $.02, take it with a grain of salt cause I've yet to WC a computer.

not sure what you mean, are you talking about heat from the pump getting to the rad via the water or air currents?

rad's to my knowledge are generally on the top for placement reasons.


It's almost kind of like a radiator as the coolant will have a little time to cool down before it's recirculated, otherwise the coolant just immediately goes back through the loop. So you might see a degree-ish in temperature drop. Maybe. Also you won't have to fill up as often.

Although, this is the one I'd get if I were to water-cool, so you lose the benefit of that slight temp drop, but hey it's like a thousand times easier to refill that reservoir and it's kind of like a badge of sorts.

http://www.dangerden.com/store/fillport-reservoir.html

not even a degree, you might get that degree with the passive XSPC res, but it sucks since it's made from aluminum.

[x88x]

not even a degree, you might get that degree with the passive XSPC res, but it sucks since it's made from aluminum.

Agreed. IMO a res is really more for making your loop easier to manage. Personally I like the Swiftech micro-res v2 because it has 4 hook-ups on 3 sides. I have mine feeding directly into my pump out the bottom, the end of the loop coming in the side, and the fillport feeding into the top.

[Xtrykr]

Okay, the kit I bought utilizes the fillport, which as long as my T-line is above the pump, the air should be able to escape. The reason my radiator is on the bottom is because I fear that if there was a leakage, I don't want the radiator to be spilling it guts over my computer components, so I have it on the bottom. That said, I have altered my case so that it has excellent airflow at the bottom, and this way, it draws fresh, cold air from outside as well (since hot air rises). I guess there's many different ways of doing it, which ultimately, achieves relatively the same results. Thanks guys for the excellent responses.