Quote:
Originally posted by JimS
Back to the main topic. nikhsub, I have had a very similar experience to yours. I increased tubing at one point to 1/2" and also increased pump size. The overall difference was nil.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. In watercooling computers, once you get to a flow rate beyond 20-25 gph, the benefit of any higher flow is almost nothing.
You can show me all the charts and graphs you like. I speak from first hand experience as well as the experiences of many others who have made the mistake of adding more pumping power and larger tubing to their watercooled computers.
I will say that there are some applications that may benefit slightly from more flow, specifically those setups where flow was horrible to begin with. But once the minimum flow rate is achieved, no amount of pumping power or tubing enlargement is going to make much difference.
|
Jim
I'm not contesting the validity of YOUR experience, I do accept that you saw what you saw
but your conclusion
"In watercooling computers, once you get to a flow rate beyond 20-25 gph, the benefit of any higher flow is almost nothing."
is simply wrong
you are swapping several components in a specific
system, and then trying to generalize a universal conclusion
you are wrong
I have tested radiators, waterblocks, have 6 different pumps, and have assorted tubing from 1/4 to 3/4 in. ID
flow rates above your described 0.3 to 0.4gmp can provide a measurable benefit
but it is the ENTIRE system that must be evaluated to achieve higher flow rates
NOT just swapping the pump and tubing
-> as any single component can effectively limit the ACTUAL flow no matter what the pump or tubing size
you did not identify your wb, rad, or if any 90s were in the system;
but if you go from a flow rate of 0.4 to 1.4gpm, you will see a substantial difference (if your measurement capability is functional)
#Rotor
quite agree with the 'virtues' of turbulence (and am fabricating a 0.7gpm @ 40psi
system right now)
but your comments are masking a point:
for a given wb, higher flow WILL result in greater turbulence, a reduced boundary layer thickness, a higher convection rate, resulting in a reduced thermal gradient across the wb bp - hence lower CPU temps
yes, yes - wbs can be designed for more turbulence at lower flow rates
but even so the above statement is still valid
(why do you promote turbulence (= drag) also on the 'top' side of your wbs ? - ain't no heat 'up' there)