Corsair Hydro Series H50 CPU Cooler

Supplemental Mounting Information

The Corsair Hydro Series™ H50 High-Performance CPU Cooler is designed and tested to be mounted in its stock configuration using a single fan attached to the radiator. This single fan is configured to draw cool air from outside the computer case and blow it through the radiator for optimum CPU cooling. Our developmental testing supports this and we recommend a single or dual fan set up bringing cool air into the radiator for best results.

However, many users need to deviate from this optimum configuration for various reasons. This guide illustrates some of the more common configurations. Our recommended configuration is not the only way to mount the Hydro Series H50 and fortunately it is a versatile unit when it comes to mounting alternatives.

Many users also ask about performance and ask for a definitive answer regarding the best mounting configuration for their system. For users wishing to evaluate different options, the best method is to test the system with multiple configurations and find the one that works best for that particular combination.

“Push” and “Pull” Defined

Many users ask about the terms “push” and “pull”. This simply refers to a fan pushing air into the radiator or the fan pulling air through the radiator. The stock single fan configuration is a push setup, with the single fan pushing cool air from outside the case into the radiator.

Adding a second fan, as seen below, results in the second fan pulling the air through the radiator. A push-pull set up bringing cool air into the radiator with 2 fans is an excellent set up for cooling your CPU. Ideally, you will need to use 2 identical fans to avoid any of the airflow issues that can arise with using 2 fans that have different airflow characteristics.

Most fans have directional arrows indicating fan blade rotation and airflow direction as circled below. Note that the “pull” fan on the right has been modified. A corner of the shroud has been cut away to clear a heat sink on the motherboard. This is a common solution to clearance issues.

Due to space or other restrictions, some users choose to mount a single fan outside the case. This can be useful in smaller cases or in configurations where the motherboard impedes single or dual fan mounting.

Push-Pull With External Mount

With one of the fans externally mounted, a push-pull set up can be used in configurations where both fans and the radiator may not fit internally. This allows for more clearance around the radiator.

Internal Top Mount – Single Fan

Many cases have 120mm mounting points at the top of the case. This configuration can be used with the single fan as an intake or exhaust. The fan can be placed below the radiator as shown here or above the radiator.

Push-Pull Top Mount With External Fan

In configurations where a top mount is used, a single fan can be mounted externally. This top external fan could also be a second fan in a 2 fan push-pull mount.

We hope that this guide is useful to any users, or potential users of the H50 CPU cooler. The illustrations shown here are intended to show the versatility of the H50 mounting options and it is certainly not all inclusive. As noted, most of these are not ideal and we recommend using the optimum cool air intake push or push-pull set ups. However, the H50 will still provide outstanding CPU cooling performance in a wide variety of mounting configurations. This mounting flexibility is yet another aspect of the value of the Corsair Hydro Series H50 CPU cooler.