Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Completed Flow-Rate testing of my cooling system!

Jimbo Mahoney · 04-22-2005, 10:39 AM

I've been off work for the past two days with tonsilitis, but I recently received all the bits for my cooling system, so I figured, what better to do with a couple of days than leaktest and flow test the system?

First, for a laugh, a pic:

Now some specs:

Two AQX 50Z's in series @ 13.8v (bench PSU isn't in the shot) - Suction side is 5/8", outputs are all 1/2"

NexXxos XP CPU block

Silverprop Fusion HL GPU block

Custom-made Northbridge block (Thanks Geoff!!)

Heattrap MOSFET block (3/8" tubing because it's so small)

Silentstar Dual HDD cooler

Renault 18 Radiator (not heatercore) w/ DIY Aluminium Shroud and 4 x 120mm Akasa Amber fans.

I'll give figures in lpm to save confusion between US Gallons and UK Gallons, but for reference, US Gallon = 3.785 litre, UK Gallon = 4.546 litre.

Here's a graph of the performance of the NexXxos XP with different flow rates:

(Data from the Procooling review - 71 Watt heatsource).

I applied a Trend Line to the original data to extrapolate theoretical delta Ts for those of you lucky enough to be able to push more than 7 lpm (1.85 US gpm) through it!

Next, a graph of the loss of flowrate due to each component:

The only shortcoming of this graph is that I have not done a flowrate with the pumps alone, so I've used the manufacturer's figure (@12v). I'm running the pumps @ 13.8v, so that 11.3 lpm could be realistic.

Here's some relative flowrate losses:

NexXxos = 39%
Silverprop HL = 13%
Custom Northbridge = 0%
MOSFET block = 8%
Silentstar Dual HDD = 9%
Car Radiator = 4%

Total losses = 42%

With everything all hooked up in series, I get 4.8 lpm (1.25 US gpm) through the whole system. In theory, I would get 4.2 lpm (1.1 US GPM) if the pumps were on 12v.

Do you think splitting the MOSFET and Silentstar into their own branch would increase the flowrate much? They don't need much flow anyway. I'll give it a go if I get a chance.

Hope some of this is interesting / useful for people with similar components.

I also want to extend my thanks to the hardcore Procoolers like Cathar and BillA for doing all the proper calculations; all the people on Proforums who helped with the system component choices.

04-22-2005, 10:39 AM	#1
Jimbo Mahoney Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 96	Completed Flow-Rate testing of my cooling system! I've been off work for the past two days with tonsilitis, but I recently received all the bits for my cooling system, so I figured, what better to do with a couple of days than leaktest and flow test the system? First, for a laugh, a pic: Now some specs: Two AQX 50Z's in series @ 13.8v (bench PSU isn't in the shot) - Suction side is 5/8", outputs are all 1/2" NexXxos XP CPU block Silverprop Fusion HL GPU block Custom-made Northbridge block (Thanks Geoff!!) Heattrap MOSFET block (3/8" tubing because it's so small) Silentstar Dual HDD cooler Renault 18 Radiator (not heatercore) w/ DIY Aluminium Shroud and 4 x 120mm Akasa Amber fans. I'll give figures in lpm to save confusion between US Gallons and UK Gallons, but for reference, US Gallon = 3.785 litre, UK Gallon = 4.546 litre. Here's a graph of the performance of the NexXxos XP with different flow rates: (Data from the Procooling review - 71 Watt heatsource). I applied a Trend Line to the original data to extrapolate theoretical delta Ts for those of you lucky enough to be able to push more than 7 lpm (1.85 US gpm) through it! Next, a graph of the loss of flowrate due to each component: The only shortcoming of this graph is that I have not done a flowrate with the pumps alone, so I've used the manufacturer's figure (@12v). I'm running the pumps @ 13.8v, so that 11.3 lpm could be realistic. Here's some relative flowrate losses: NexXxos = 39% Silverprop HL = 13% Custom Northbridge = 0% MOSFET block = 8% Silentstar Dual HDD = 9% Car Radiator = 4% Total losses = 42% With everything all hooked up in series, I get 4.8 lpm (1.25 US gpm) through the whole system. In theory, I would get 4.2 lpm (1.1 US GPM) if the pumps were on 12v. Do you think splitting the MOSFET and Silentstar into their own branch would increase the flowrate much? They don't need much flow anyway. I'll give it a go if I get a chance. Hope some of this is interesting / useful for people with similar components. I also want to extend my thanks to the hardcore Procoolers like Cathar and BillA for doing all the proper calculations; all the people on Proforums who helped with the system component choices. Last edited by Jimbo Mahoney; 04-22-2005 at 12:21 PM.