Quote:
Originally posted by MMZ_TimeLord
And... as to the water taking more heat away as the flow increases... I'd agree. But, as you say, the incerased flow rate also lowers the tempreture of the water coming out compared to a lower flow rate. This DOES indeed increase the requirements of the radiator to remove the heat that is in the water, but it also does not allow the same radiator time to get the same amount of heat from the water. Ergo: your mentioning the need for a higher performing radiator.
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Not true.
This comes up a lot. There are a few threads discussing this. Faster flow equals greater efficiency.
It is necessary to think backwards.
You have a fixed air temp.
If the efficiency is improved, then the average water temp will be reduced. Equally, the efficiency of the waterblock will be increased, leading to a reduced delta T between the cpu and the water, which is already cooler.
However, increasing the flow will likely introduce more heat to the water through the pump. When the additional heat from increasing the flow rate exceeds the reduction in temp expected from the improved efficiency, you will reach the point of diminishing returns. Go no further.
It is a common misconception that water needs to spend time in the radiator for optimum performance. You need to try and detach yourself entirely from the flowing coolant and just imagine that there is heat coming in and heat going out. Changing the flow rate effects the efficiency of the heat exchangers carrying out these steps.
Hope this makes sense. (I think I get better at explaining it each time I give it a go, though there may still be mistakes.)
8-ball