Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to Rads and Dissipation?

[Jimbo Mahoney]

<Dons flame suit>

I know this is NOT the forum for rules of thumb, eyeballing, ball-park, or guesstimation, but...

Given average airflow and delta T (water/air) (and delta P if you want), is there a range within which radiators of a given surface area fall when it comes to watts dissipated?

My concern started when reading another forum and someone wants to cool an FX55, 2 x 6800 Ultras and the chipset using an 80.2 rad...

For people who cannot be bothered (I'm not one of them) to work out specs or run an experiment, it would be helpful to say 'For X amount of watts, you'll need a rad of Y size, assuming reasonable airlfow'.

I'm also intrigued because I'm using a car radiator with a core which is 50cm x 40 cm, somewhat larger than the 120.3 rads typically used and I'd be intrigued to know its ability to dissipate heat. I've estimated it at around 1.5 kW with a 10'C delta T and moderate airflow. Please correct me if I am WAAY off.

[Jimbo Mahoney]

Ooh, found Bill's article here:

http://www.overclockers.com/articles481/

Having a read.......

[BillA]

better this http://thermal-management-testing.com/ThermoChill.htm

[Jimbo Mahoney]

Thanks Bill.

That is some nice testing.