Typical head loss in a watercooling setup
 

Hi all!

I am asking some input from the broader watercooling community about how much head loss one can expect from a "typical" watercooling setup. I know...every setup is unique! Being somewhat new to the hobby, I am trying to spec a pump for my own unique system but I don't have good data on how much a waterblock and heatercore are going to impact my flow rate. If you look at a simple single-loop system with any of the current generation of waterblocks (Maze-3, Spir@l, Swifty, etc...) and a standard 6x6x2 heatercore, roughly how much head loss (in feet of H20) can one expect? I know that the numbers will be different for each catagory of waterblock I mentioned but it's all important. I am less interested in data regarding fittings (90s, Ts, etc...) but feel free to contribute what you know. It's all good...:>) Thanks in advance!
=wbedard=

DangerDen posted some results here

As for the waterblocks, check one of BillA's (aka unregistered) many posted graphs.

Thanks (again) bigben2k...
I have read BillA's paper on radiators (to include the popular Big Momma heatercore...) awhile back and even noted the revised graphs. I was, however, under the impression that he had not released his waterblock comparisson, yet. If that is true, where would I find BillA's waterblock graphs which you speak of?
=wbedard=

You'll have to track down BillA's posts. He posted flow rates graphs about miscellaneous wb all over this forum...

Owenator on o/cers forums had a thread once about a DIY manometer. He was using it along with the pump's P-Q curve to estimate actual flow rates. Basically two Ts before and after the pump with long tubes suspended from ceiling. Measure the height difference in water, get pressure (in in H2O). Can't recall the particulars of his results atm tho

There is more to consider than just block & res restrictions. Blocks considered "high flow" at little to no vertical rise can give a 95% flow rate. more restricted channeled blocks(low flow) can yeild 75% or less of your pumps flow. Radiators are often labeled "low pres. drop" if the flow is relatively unhindered. What is critical is to look at your vertical rise and endevor to eliminate it to the best of your ability. This will help your flow rate substatially.