H115i pump orientation

[PliSsK]

Hi there, I have a 2017 year H115i radiator and have had it in the front of the Fractal Design Define R6 case, with the hoses at the top of the rad, but now I've had some issues with intermittent overheating (new thermal paste, it started occurring after I removing the fans and rad for cleaning and changed their orientation multiple times to gain better access to the screws etc.) - fixed by rattling or tapping the hoses - so I'm looking to install the rad at the top of the case so it is definitely all higher than the pump, which might help. My question is regarding the pump - does it matter if I rotate the pump 90 degrees? At the moment the hoses are facing towards the case side panel on the right side with the usb connector on the bottom. I was thinking if I rotated it 90 deg I might have less angle in the hoses which would help circulation. I assume it's ok beyond aesthetics of having the Corsair logo on its side (I don't have glass panels).

 

Edited June 8, 2021 by PliSsK

[Vegan]

I have one of those. I use a very small dab of MX-4 and my CPU is at ambient at idle.

 

most use far too much thermal material

 

In my Obsidian 750D, my H115i is mounted in top, fans push air up through the radiator and out the top grill. The radiator itself is attached to the top of the chassis. The fans are attached to the radiator. This is the most common configuration.

Edited June 9, 2021 by Vegan

[PliSsK]

I put the fans on top of the rad so it's easier to clean the rad.

 

So what about my question regarding the pump? Does orientation matter? I'm trying to orient it to allow for the least bend in the hoses. Thanks.

[LeDoyen]

I'm trying to orient it to allow for the least bend in the hoses. Thanks.

 

That's pretty much the best you can do.

As soon as the air has been bled up to the radiator, the pump orientation doesn't matter. it's purely aesthetics.

[PliSsK]

That's pretty much the best you can do.

As soon as the air has been bled up to the radiator, the pump orientation doesn't matter. it's purely aesthetics.

 

After I reassembled my cooling system last month, my temps went through the roof, and I tapped the hoses and shook them gently, and it brough the temps down but still needed redoing. On average, my temps have been lower with fewer spikes to overheating levels since moving the rad from the front with push/pull to the top with 2 fans on top. I wonder what method can be used to shift the last of the bubbles that work their way into the pump. I guess I could try repeating the above now that the rad is in an overall higher position relative to the pump than before. Temps are usually around 35C, sometimes they hover around 55C, when not doing very much at all.

[Corsair Travis]

Hey there, you can rotate the pump if your mounting permits it, but it shouldn't make a difference. Mounting the radiator on top will make a much larger difference.

[PliSsK]

Thanks! I may be able to move the rad slightly front to back on the top of the case, giving more or less slack in the hoses, which could benefit from rotating the pump, we shall see.