Edit: here’s the ‘warning’ that you would have to click through to read/watch; the pump being higher than the rad will likely shorten the effectiveness and lifespan of the AIO.
—
**If possible**, replace the pig tail power connection on your GPU with a second cable from the PSU.
You may be able to route the cables for the GPU so they sort of follow the shape of the GPU, then down and out to the cable space in the back.
Maybe consider running the CPU/EPS power (top left of motherboard) to that back cable space and out what looks to be the cable pass-through at the top.
That cable with the insulated wire, coming from near the hard drive, can also be run towards/through the rear cable space to further declutter the interior.
Pretty much the same with any cable that can be routed through that back space to get it out of the way.
FIWDIM
The pump **must** be below the radiator otherwise air bubbles with on their way up end up in the pump and prevent water circulation. your pc will overheat and pump die.
yusuflimz
Sorry dude. Pump should never be the highest point in the loop. If mounting @ the top is interfering with RAM clearance, may have to consider a new Chassis / cooler :/
ketamarine
Nothing is ok about this picture.
synphul1
I’d say no. People talking about it being fine, the pump will push the air bubbles to the rad. The issue is if air gets trapped in the pump vanes it can create loss of suction, a pocket of dead space at the pump. Where the vanes spin faster and without proper fluid circulation nothing to cool the pump (coolant cools the pump as well). Running the pump dry can burn it up fairly quick. Meanwhile your cpu isn’t being cooled. The radiator really needs to be placed higher and since it can’t be lifted higher on the front of the case due to 5.25 bays, needs to go up top.
You’re sort of fighting an uphill battle because that case isn’t a good option for water cooling. You’re seeing the limits of placing a rad in front and motherboard/socket placement is going to remain the same. You say you don’t have enough room up top without putting the rad on top or the fans at the very least to get it to fit. It’s only a 240mm aio, not exactly a large unit. All the fitment issues means a poor case for water cooling.
I have no idea if the front of the case is filtered at all but the way you’ve got it set up is horrible for dust. You’ve got the top and rear fans as intakes, drawing air through the largest vent holes unfiltered. Which I get what you’re trying to do with reverse airflow, just pointing that out. Maybe look into upgrading to a more appropriate case that will actually allow you to fit the radiator and something a bit more filtered.
EmrakulAeons
See if you can move your hard drive/SSD to be lower down,.like at the bottom of where your radiator is rn, and then see if you can of the radiator above the bay. If that works then it’ll be fine because your radiator is higher than your pump.
Illustrious-Job440
Looks messed up. Aio is also placed wrong.
coffeejn
Well the easiest solution is to turn the case upside down and used it that way. Would solve the air bubble in the pump issue.
Ted_go
Apart from what people are saying, you should also consider the direction of the air flow by fans. The radiator fans look like they are pushing air out of the case, and it looks like the air is flowing in from the top. Not sure your GPU will survive this setup.
DSXask
Always remember, “Pump should never be the highest point in the loop”
so the only option left is placing the radiator at top of the case.
endless_8888
Can that drive bay or whatever on top of the AIO be removed so you can move the radiator up? What case is this? If I can check the manual I can tell you exactly what to do.
Frostbitttn_
I would just look into getting a new case that can easily fit that cooler
WirelessTrees
The pump is located on the cooler part that connects to the CPU.
You never want the pump to be at the top of the system. These pumps need constantly fluid in order to function, and if there are any air bubbles in the system, it will immediately go to the pump and stay there, wearing out the pump.
So move the radiator so that the pump isn’t the highest part of the loop.
Neutron_Blue
No, because the pump should never be the highest point in the loop
Dubya_Tea_Efff

Naive_Bat_1
Hey, from the picture it looks like your GPU is sagging. I recently had to replace mine because of this : (
greatthebob38
You’re going to get air bubbles in your pump since it is the highest point in your AIO. You’ll end up killing it.
You have a Fractal Design Focus G as your case. Unfortunately the 5.25″ drive bays at the top of the case make mounting a front radiator difficult. The ideal location would be the top of the case. Is it possible to use slim fans so they don’t contact the RAM?
ChronosForce
I would montage it on top. Looks like it fits just fine up there and you also improve your airstream
MrrQuackers

ImVeryUnimaginative

ClownButtFart
Your rear fan appears to be an intake
Ars0nn
Get an air cooler
SwagChemist
If you do this, spin the radiator so the hose is on the top not the bottom.
Substantial-Singer29
Okay, i’m gonna ask the question that’s probably more important.
What processor are you actually running?
Because depending on your answer to that you may not even need an aio.
rage_311
Maybe they’re like this for testing your current config… but your fans at the top of the case are working as intake fans right now, which is definitely not optimal. Hot air rises so make those exhaust fans if you’re keeping that placement.
graphixRbad
Fuck it bro. Send it
Bolivian_Spy
Had the same issue with RAM clearance and top mounting… I took the heat spreaders off the RAM. If it is ddr4 and has at least a bit of airflow that should be totally fine unless you plan to run 1.4v+, but the actual process requires a hair dryer and some patience. Wouldn’t recommend if you couldn’t replace the RAM should it go wrong (if the kit is expensive).
JubaM24
Full tower Case: Look What They Need to Mimic a Fraction of Our Power..
SuckaFree703
Looks like you’re gonna need a bigger case..
Fishwithadeagle
Yeah… no, your pump is the highest part in the loop. Not a great idea.
Flooredbythelord_
You need to flip the radiator around and have the lines at the top
E_Blue_2048
The PC should suck fresh air from the front and blow the hot air on the upper and back zone.
I think that seems like you need a bigger PC case.
f0ba
Bro it’s not just messy, you need to dust it every now and then my guy.
Secane
its not because pump in aio on cpu is the highest point of the system so all of the air pockets will mess the pump. Better switch to top
39 Comments
i would put it on the top of the case
No, the pump is at the top of the loop. You either need to top mount it, or if that’s not possible, get a different case/cooler.
The ‘JayzTwoCents recap of the GamersNexus video’ about AIO placement.
https://i.redd.it/b5i5e59f7k861.jpg
via [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/knuf97/jay_simplified_the_gamers_nexus_aio_orientation/).
It’s orientation is fine how you have it.
Edit: here’s the ‘warning’ that you would have to click through to read/watch; the pump being higher than the rad will likely shorten the effectiveness and lifespan of the AIO.
—
**If possible**, replace the pig tail power connection on your GPU with a second cable from the PSU.
You may be able to route the cables for the GPU so they sort of follow the shape of the GPU, then down and out to the cable space in the back.
Maybe consider running the CPU/EPS power (top left of motherboard) to that back cable space and out what looks to be the cable pass-through at the top.
That cable with the insulated wire, coming from near the hard drive, can also be run towards/through the rear cable space to further declutter the interior.
Pretty much the same with any cable that can be routed through that back space to get it out of the way.
The pump **must** be below the radiator otherwise air bubbles with on their way up end up in the pump and prevent water circulation. your pc will overheat and pump die.
Sorry dude. Pump should never be the highest point in the loop. If mounting @ the top is interfering with RAM clearance, may have to consider a new Chassis / cooler :/
Nothing is ok about this picture.
I’d say no. People talking about it being fine, the pump will push the air bubbles to the rad. The issue is if air gets trapped in the pump vanes it can create loss of suction, a pocket of dead space at the pump. Where the vanes spin faster and without proper fluid circulation nothing to cool the pump (coolant cools the pump as well). Running the pump dry can burn it up fairly quick. Meanwhile your cpu isn’t being cooled. The radiator really needs to be placed higher and since it can’t be lifted higher on the front of the case due to 5.25 bays, needs to go up top.
You’re sort of fighting an uphill battle because that case isn’t a good option for water cooling. You’re seeing the limits of placing a rad in front and motherboard/socket placement is going to remain the same. You say you don’t have enough room up top without putting the rad on top or the fans at the very least to get it to fit. It’s only a 240mm aio, not exactly a large unit. All the fitment issues means a poor case for water cooling.
I have no idea if the front of the case is filtered at all but the way you’ve got it set up is horrible for dust. You’ve got the top and rear fans as intakes, drawing air through the largest vent holes unfiltered. Which I get what you’re trying to do with reverse airflow, just pointing that out. Maybe look into upgrading to a more appropriate case that will actually allow you to fit the radiator and something a bit more filtered.
See if you can move your hard drive/SSD to be lower down,.like at the bottom of where your radiator is rn, and then see if you can of the radiator above the bay. If that works then it’ll be fine because your radiator is higher than your pump.
Looks messed up. Aio is also placed wrong.
Well the easiest solution is to turn the case upside down and used it that way. Would solve the air bubble in the pump issue.
Apart from what people are saying, you should also consider the direction of the air flow by fans. The radiator fans look like they are pushing air out of the case, and it looks like the air is flowing in from the top. Not sure your GPU will survive this setup.
Always remember, “Pump should never be the highest point in the loop”
so the only option left is placing the radiator at top of the case.
Can that drive bay or whatever on top of the AIO be removed so you can move the radiator up? What case is this? If I can check the manual I can tell you exactly what to do.
I would just look into getting a new case that can easily fit that cooler
The pump is located on the cooler part that connects to the CPU.
You never want the pump to be at the top of the system. These pumps need constantly fluid in order to function, and if there are any air bubbles in the system, it will immediately go to the pump and stay there, wearing out the pump.
So move the radiator so that the pump isn’t the highest part of the loop.
No, because the pump should never be the highest point in the loop

Hey, from the picture it looks like your GPU is sagging. I recently had to replace mine because of this : (
You’re going to get air bubbles in your pump since it is the highest point in your AIO. You’ll end up killing it.
The AIO usually has guidelines on best places for installing. Read the manual. [https://support.arctic.de/en/lf2-240r4](https://support.arctic.de/en/lf2-240r4#:~:text=Socket%20%E2%80%93%201200/115x-,Preparation,-How%20(not)%20to)
https://preview.redd.it/sk1tf57ycb4c1.png?width=622&format=png&auto=webp&s=daddb7175345a89605d5e3113929cb2dd4d15af0
You have a Fractal Design Focus G as your case. Unfortunately the 5.25″ drive bays at the top of the case make mounting a front radiator difficult. The ideal location would be the top of the case. Is it possible to use slim fans so they don’t contact the RAM?
I would montage it on top. Looks like it fits just fine up there and you also improve your airstream


Your rear fan appears to be an intake
Get an air cooler
If you do this, spin the radiator so the hose is on the top not the bottom.
Okay, i’m gonna ask the question that’s probably more important.
What processor are you actually running?
Because depending on your answer to that you may not even need an aio.
Maybe they’re like this for testing your current config… but your fans at the top of the case are working as intake fans right now, which is definitely not optimal. Hot air rises so make those exhaust fans if you’re keeping that placement.
Fuck it bro. Send it
Had the same issue with RAM clearance and top mounting… I took the heat spreaders off the RAM. If it is ddr4 and has at least a bit of airflow that should be totally fine unless you plan to run 1.4v+, but the actual process requires a hair dryer and some patience. Wouldn’t recommend if you couldn’t replace the RAM should it go wrong (if the kit is expensive).
Full tower Case: Look What They Need to Mimic a Fraction of Our Power..
Looks like you’re gonna need a bigger case..
Yeah… no, your pump is the highest part in the loop. Not a great idea.
You need to flip the radiator around and have the lines at the top
The PC should suck fresh air from the front and blow the hot air on the upper and back zone.
I think that seems like you need a bigger PC case.
Bro it’s not just messy, you need to dust it every now and then my guy.
its not because pump in aio on cpu is the highest point of the system so all of the air pockets will mess the pump. Better switch to top
Im blocking you…holy fuck