Multi-rad vs. single rad

[Melraidin]

I'm trying to determine the best course for a new system I'll be putting together soon. I expect to upgrade the cooling in this system numerous times.

Initially I intend to have a single Black Ice Xtreme radiator (Danger Den) and a waterblock on the CPU.

Later I expect I will upgrade to having a waterblock on the GPU and chipset as well.

Which of these two options would be preferable:

Changing my initial setup to include a Black Ice Xtreme II radiator, then simply adding the new waterblocks later;

Or

Leaving my initial setup as-is and later adding a second Black Ice Xtreme radiator between the CPU and the GPU/chipset?

Summary: Which is better: a single large radiator for the full loop or multiple smaller radiators for each heat source in the loop?

[OCS911]

go for Big Rad!! for silent go with Black Ice Pro III, for performance Black Ice Xtreme III or Thermochill 120.3

[JTanczos]

What is wrong with a 1977 Bonniville heater core? 1 of those that is properly shrouded could probably out perform the black ice for 1/4 the cost.

If you want 2 rads then go with the B-ville HCs for $20-30 each

JT

[Zenjirou]

I'm trying to determine the best course for a new system I'll be putting together soon. I expect to upgrade the cooling in this system numerous times.

Initially I intend to have a single Black Ice Xtreme radiator (Danger Den) and a waterblock on the CPU.

Later I expect I will upgrade to having a waterblock on the GPU and chipset as well.

Which of these two options would be preferable:

Changing my initial setup to include a Black Ice Xtreme II radiator, then simply adding the new waterblocks later;

Or

Leaving my initial setup as-is and later adding a second Black Ice Xtreme radiator between the CPU and the GPU/chipset?

Summary: Which is better: a single large radiator for the full loop or multiple smaller radiators for each heat source in the loop?

Counter-intuitive as it is. radiator efficiency increases as the delta between water and ambient air increases. its not a good practice to put radiator in between blocks as this will cool the water before reaching the second radiator, thus minimizing the delta between water and each radiator. it might sound like its beter, yet having the hottest water through two rads is beter than colder water through two rads. Thus rads in Parallel receiving water through all blocks is more efficient

Also, BIX's are not any beter than BIPs unless used with fans above 130CFM. , under 130CFM BIP outperforms BIX. This is because's BIX added thickness drastically reduces air flow ( around one half CFMs are reduced). If you were to upgrade to any BI series, it would be beter to upgrade to BIP (also a bit cheaper)

A good way to go is upgrade Rads after additional blocks are tested with what you have, thus you can determine if temps are acceptable. If you hav not purchased anything yet, BIP II or III would be ideal

[SewerBeing]

What is wrong with a 1977 Bonniville heater core? 1 of those that is properly shrouded could probably out perform the black ice for 1/4 the cost.

If you want 2 rads then go with the B-ville HCs for $20-30 each

JT

It won't outperform it might come to within 1C of it but won't outperform it. Besides you need to mod a Bonny core to make it work in a WC loop and most people don't want to do that. Besides it really depends on what he wants if he wants quiet the Bonny core isn't even a choice for him.

[ReD.SkY]

BIP2 or 3 for now and add the GPU and chipset later

[thorilan]

personally i would go with a bip2 and leave your system with that .

[kimochii72]

thorilan:

how do you think the bip II compares to the Swiftech MCR-220 Quiet Power radiator. I've narrowed my choices to these and everything else in my order is ready except this last choice. My calculations of the dimentions show the swiftech has almost 7% more surface area. Could you recommend which is better for 2 120mm fans rated 70-84 cfm? I'm also not substituting anything else than these 2 rads.

Rest of the system is

MP-05 SP Limited edition
Swiftech 60 vga block
Swiftech D5 pump

[thorilan]

if they are of equal thickness and the fins are the same width appart there will be almost no difference in performance

i havent used the quiet power yet though because of cost to get it here though

[MoreGooder]

Counter-intuitive as it is. radiator efficiency increases as the delta between water and ambient air increases. its not a good practice to put radiator in between blocks as this will cool the water before reaching the second radiator, thus minimizing the delta between water and each radiator. it might sound like its beter, yet having the hottest water through two rads is beter than colder water through two rads. Thus rads in Parallel receiving water through all blocks is more efficient


Huh? How did you come up with this? Try reading some stickies.
The best way to increase delta temp between water and air is to increase air flow through the rad or increase rad's total surface area, or both if possible. It has been proven over and over that placement of components in a loop has very little impact on temperatures (only exception: if you use a rez, always put that at the input of your pump, but this is for flow reasons, not temp reasons.)

[MVC]

Back to the original question: One larger radiator will be better than two smaller radiators if only because you'll have fewer restrictive fittings to deal with and (probably) less tubing to route. So, if you know you'll be expanding the system later you might as well go with the larger radiator now.

[Otter]

What MVC said. The only reasons to go with the small rad now would be space or cost.

BTW, the order of the components makes little difference in a typical loop. The flow rate is high enough that the drop in coolant temperature across the rad is quite small. Hence, whether you've got one rad or two, pick the shortest, cleanest route for your tubing and don't worry about putting a rad between the CPU and GPU. The increased flow rate from avoiding long tubing runs and tight bends is worth more than the tenths of a degree you'll gain from having the block right after the rad or from having a rad between blocks.