Best Radiator?

[Calypso]

Good old Daz has Darkside branded crossflow rad for a 240 at 55.00.

Cross-Flow Dual LPX240 Extra Slim Radiator - DazMode

DarkSide LPX240 is an extreme Low Profile performance computer water-cooling radiator based on the latest radiator core design in a cross-flow configuration. Built for 120mm fans, this radiator is optimized for maximum heat dissipation for both low noise and performance fans. Radiator features...

www.dazmode.com

They're inexpensive. I have a 360 vertical crossflow up front and a conventional 240 up top.

 

[clshades]

I've always just bought low fpi rads and done push-pull. I found I didn't need to run the fans full tilt to get great cooling. The other thing I played around with was variable speed pumps. There's always going to be a sweet spot for flow speed and cooling curves. Funny enough the best temps I got was at half speed.

 

[FreeKnight]

I've always just bought low fpi rads and done push-pull. I found I didn't need to run the fans full tilt to get great cooling. The other thing I played around with was variable speed pumps. There's always going to be a sweet spot for flow speed and cooling curves. Funny enough the best temps I got was at half speed.

Now that slim fans are a fairly available product, and not at ridiculous prices, I'd like to see a comparison between a single 25mm thick fan in either push or pull and push/pull with 2x13-15mm fans. The thickness ends up being the same, within a few millimeters, but I'm curious how the fan's different airflow and static pressure will affect the results.

 

[Jokester]

You do lose performance from a crossflow radiator but they are convenient. Push pull isn't really worth it. But slow fans on a thin radiator is a nice setup. If you have enough rad space you get peace and quiet and good temps

 

[JD]

Yeah, that's my goal, maybe "overkill" rad wise, but hopefully near silence.

I was thinking crossflow on the top as it should make my tubing efforts easier. The front, I was hoping for a multiport design with a port on the bottom so I could possibly just drill out the bottom of the case to have it accessible. Then I'd just need to prop the case up on something and drain it like a car Actually sitting it on a drain pan would probably work for that matter.

Daz's stock looks pretty low on things though and he's on vacation anyhow. Not that I have a CPU yet either, so I still have time...

 

[Izerous]

Surface area over thickness wins. Two 360 rads at 30mm thick will beat a single 360 60mm thick for example.

FPI really more dictates what fan is ideal. High FPI push/pull or high pressure fans are way more important and low FPI CFM's importance increases and decreasing any importance of push/pull since you need less pressure to reach effective temperatures.

Older designs copper wasn't pure copper, the copper tubes would be soldered to the fins with a non copper based solder loosing any benefit but the aluminum could be essentially welded making even the benefit of a copper rad negligible.

I could go on but in short that are a pile of things that effect a radiators potential and as long as it is in good condition I'd have very little problem just keeping what you already have unless their condition/cleanliness is in question or you need a different size. Worry about surface area, thickness, FPI kinda in that order and brand doesn't even belong on that list.

 

[Calypso]

You do lose performance from a crossflow radiator but they are convenient. Push pull isn't really worth it. But slow fans on a thin radiator is a nice setup. If you have enough rad space you get peace and quiet and good temps

Someone did a comparison of crossflow to conventional rads. Damn if I can remember. (old age).....there was a difference but it wasn't all that bad. My 2 rads from Daz are thin with low fpi count. I run my rad fans at 500 rpm (idle) up to just under a 1000 rpm under load. Very quiet. They're also a lot easier to keep clean because of the low fpi. Also easier to fix bent fins. I used to run a thick rad with a high fpi but it was a lot of noise and a lot of work to keep clean.

 

[clshades]

Someone did a comparison of crossflow to conventional rads. Damn if I can remember. (old age).....there was a difference but it wasn't all that bad. My 2 rads from Daz are thin with low fpi count. I run my rad fans at 500 rpm (idle) up to just under a 1000 rpm under load. Very quiet. They're also a lot easier to keep clean because of the low fpi. Also easier to fix bent fins. I used to run a thick rad with a high fpi but it was a lot of noise and a lot of work to keep clean.

Yes that's how I ran my last dual 360 rad setup. 1200 rpm for gaming barely spinning on idle. I mean it was almost dead silent when idle, which was great in the last place I lived as the PC was right behind the couch in the living room.

 

[Jokester]

I run my fans at 850rpm constant. Never changing. I hate hearing fans ramp up. Get enough rad space and it doesn't matter. Next move is to buy a watercool Mora and throw it in the corner on some QDCs

 

[Izerous]

I run my fans at 850rpm constant. Never changing. I hate hearing fans ramp up. Get enough rad space and it doesn't matter. Next move is to buy a watercool Mora and throw it in the corner on some QDCs

Once you go that way you never go backm if your not careful it will multiply