Hi, Guys!
Radiators: the LOWEST temperature a passive, i.e., not refrigerated, radiator can cool to is equal to the temperature of the air passing over its fins.
That statement (which was not obvious to me initially) has the consequence that once you have enough radiator fin volume, adding more is just a waste of money.
Definition: Radiator Fin Volume. This is a calculated number I made up (so take it with a grain of salt) to compare radiators of varying sizes an numbers. It assumes
that all radiator fins are equivalent (which is false on its face). It is calculated by multiplying the length times the width of the radiator opening times the thickness of the radiator....all
measurements in cm and Fin Volume in cubic cms.
Discussion: This measurement has NO quantitative data to support it and some obvious flaws (fin density and shape come to mind), but it is easy to obtain and I believe it provides a decent means
of comparing the cooling power of one radiator to another.
Question: How much Fin Volume (or rather how many radiators and of which size) am I going to need to do a custom loop of an overclocked i5-11600K and an overclocked RTX 3080 Waterforce?
Research results: maximum power draw of overclocked CPU ~ 250 Watts; maximum power draw of overclocked GPU ~ 350 Watts for a total draw of ~ 600 Watts.
A 120mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 389 cu-cm. (Three on-hand)
A 200mm x 200mm x 85mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 3400 cu-cm (Four on-hand)
A 200mm x 200mm x 45mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 1800 cu-cm (Two on-hand)
Other hardware: PSU - Corsair HX1000, on-hand, certainly sufficient for this build
Fans - Noctua NF-A20 PWM, 147 cu-M/hr
Physical Constraints and Preferences: I can squeeze a MAXIMUM of two of the 200mm radiators (either sort) inside the case, which would be my preference. However, I can add all the rest of my radiators on top of my case if required.
Guys, I KNOW this it can only be a "what your 'tummy' tells you" opinion, but how on earth would you suggest I proceed? And, yes, I know I can always add more if I need to, but revising hard lines is not something I relish doing!
Please speak up and tell me your thoughts...they will be appreciated even if not followed.
Very warm Regards,
Larry
Radiators: the LOWEST temperature a passive, i.e., not refrigerated, radiator can cool to is equal to the temperature of the air passing over its fins.
That statement (which was not obvious to me initially) has the consequence that once you have enough radiator fin volume, adding more is just a waste of money.
Definition: Radiator Fin Volume. This is a calculated number I made up (so take it with a grain of salt) to compare radiators of varying sizes an numbers. It assumes
that all radiator fins are equivalent (which is false on its face). It is calculated by multiplying the length times the width of the radiator opening times the thickness of the radiator....all
measurements in cm and Fin Volume in cubic cms.
Discussion: This measurement has NO quantitative data to support it and some obvious flaws (fin density and shape come to mind), but it is easy to obtain and I believe it provides a decent means
of comparing the cooling power of one radiator to another.
Question: How much Fin Volume (or rather how many radiators and of which size) am I going to need to do a custom loop of an overclocked i5-11600K and an overclocked RTX 3080 Waterforce?
Research results: maximum power draw of overclocked CPU ~ 250 Watts; maximum power draw of overclocked GPU ~ 350 Watts for a total draw of ~ 600 Watts.
A 120mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 389 cu-cm. (Three on-hand)
A 200mm x 200mm x 85mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 3400 cu-cm (Four on-hand)
A 200mm x 200mm x 45mm radiator has a Fin Volume of 1800 cu-cm (Two on-hand)
Other hardware: PSU - Corsair HX1000, on-hand, certainly sufficient for this build
Fans - Noctua NF-A20 PWM, 147 cu-M/hr
Physical Constraints and Preferences: I can squeeze a MAXIMUM of two of the 200mm radiators (either sort) inside the case, which would be my preference. However, I can add all the rest of my radiators on top of my case if required.
Guys, I KNOW this it can only be a "what your 'tummy' tells you" opinion, but how on earth would you suggest I proceed? And, yes, I know I can always add more if I need to, but revising hard lines is not something I relish doing!
Please speak up and tell me your thoughts...they will be appreciated even if not followed.
Very warm Regards,
Larry
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