Wow I saw the references to PH in that post and was quite confused: I don't agree with that? Did I say that? Then I realized PH = Powerhouse not pHaestus. I think that you and I are basically in agreement that you should try to learn something useful from the testing or else it doesn't have very much point.
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There are a number of conditions that would affect an actual rig, and those include: tubing length (not size), actual volume of coolant, coolant additives, number of elbows, ambiant temperature AND humidity, placement of radiator, effective rad fan flow rate, etc... but those are simply beyond anyone's control. Knowing that though, basic recommendations can be made, but otherwise, all those factors add up to establish THE ACCEPTABLE MARGIN OF ERROR of any test. Sure 0.1C temp testing accuracy would be nice, but is it necessary?
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For many pieces of information, 0.1C accuracy really is needed. The error propagation otherwise gets really out of hand. You see differences, but if they fall within the overall error they aren't necessarily real. With a water temp and CPU temp probe that are both +/-3C, you need some BIG differences to spot. That isn't even accounting for the compression of most people's CPU temperature due to how they measure it.
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Your testing rig sounds very nice. The importance will be with your testing methods, as they have to remain consistant. It may be atypical, but a typical person would not get a flowmeter, pressure gauge, and many temp sensors, they'd just use the same gear, but straight out... I like your graph... It'd be nice to see the data on a wider range though (take those results, determine a range that is of interest, then exceed it at both ends by 25%). so 3 GPM (180 GPH) would be pretty good for a MCW 462U, huh?
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The MCW462U data is Bill's not mine. I purchased a much larger (industrial) pump to counteract the restriction of the flowmeter and allow me to generate flow curves at much higher GPM. The curve I have there is the most the Eheim 1250 could accomplish
The issue becomes the amount of heat the pump throws into the water when throttled back, and properly accounting for that (with good water inlet temperature measurements). That is why I want to move to a controlled water bath instead of a radiator.
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About this discussion: there is one very important factor that has barely shown up:
MONEY!!!
In any company, when a project comes up, there is a cost study made, for the "best bang for the buck". Here, the consumer is the company...
My point is this: you could spend an outrageous amount of money on a water cooling rig, but you may never be able to sell it, simply because it's not cost efficient.
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The issue for testing is also very much one of money. Especially the accurate temp monitoring and the production of a good die simulator. Look to spend LOTS for accurate results, and then contend with the problem that the average end user just wanted you to give them a "clear winner" and a lot of pictures of the blocks and really isn't interested in the real information that is in the tests.