Radiator sandwich for two different loops

Kauf771

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Nov 5, 2013
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10,510
Hi!
I have two different loops in my rig, one for two VGAs, and the other for the CPU. Each one is connected to a 480mm radiator. One radiator is placed at the top, the other on the bottom side. Now, I'm planning to change the radiators position, placing the two in the bottom of the case, as a sandwich, but I'm not sure about the performance...
The first in the sandwich will push hot air in to the second, so I was planning to connect the CPU to the first (because it's the one with lower heat production).
In reality, as the system where before, the radiator on the bottom was already pushing hot air inside the case, that then would be pushed out by the top one... but there are other fans on the case contributing cool air to the interior, that would hep to lower a little bit the air temp...
I don't know if this is going to have a big difference on performance, but in order to avoid drilling and cutting the case, I'd like to hear some arguments first. All opinions are welcome, and thanks in advance!
 
Solution
If at all possible do not sandwich radiators together, it will be like having 1 1/2 radiators instead of two, but I myself have done it because of space issues. here take a look

https://imageshack.com/i/f1alldone005j
https://imageshack.com/i/mvalldone001j
https://imageshack.com/i/04alldone003j
https://imageshack.com/i/caalldone002j

it runs ok at 55C under load and no clocks on the components I do not recommend small builds for water cooling you really need more space for radiators.

https://imageshack.com/i/0fleehj

my radiator box that I added to my system, gives me the room I needed for the radiators.


toolmaker_03

Honorable
Mar 26, 2012
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12,960
If at all possible do not sandwich radiators together, it will be like having 1 1/2 radiators instead of two, but I myself have done it because of space issues. here take a look

https://imageshack.com/i/f1alldone005j
https://imageshack.com/i/mvalldone001j
https://imageshack.com/i/04alldone003j
https://imageshack.com/i/caalldone002j

it runs ok at 55C under load and no clocks on the components I do not recommend small builds for water cooling you really need more space for radiators.

https://imageshack.com/i/0fleehj

my radiator box that I added to my system, gives me the room I needed for the radiators.


 
Solution

Kauf771

Honorable
Nov 5, 2013
17
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10,510
Thanks Toolmaker_03 for the tip!
Well, I see that you ended up putting the rads and res out of the box. I was trying to avoid that, but now I feel more motivated to do it! I think that's the way to go.
Thanks!
 

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
Radiator sandwich has been done, and it won't allow you to get the full cooling potential out of both radiators, but still is better than using less radiator volume than you should. You could do a sandwich if you allowed some sort of air transfer between the sandwich so you weren't passing the warm air from Rad 1 directly into Rad 2.

Short answer, keep them just a bit further apart and you'll be much happier.
 

Kauf771

Honorable
Nov 5, 2013
17
0
10,510
Hi Rubix_1011!
My problem is the case width... I only have enough space to place them side by side.
I will place the rads outside to avoid the sandwich. I wanted to avoid them out, but If I leave them inside, they will have to be in the place they already are...
Thanks everybody for your contributions. The main question about the sandwich performance is solved. It's a bad idea...
I think I will have to start looking for a decent case...
Cheers!
 

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
It's not a 'terrible' idea, but you aren't going to get full cooling performance from a radiator sandwich unless you modify it to allow cool air exchange between the rads somehow. Now, you could do something with standoffs like this which would allow the exhaust of the warm air from Rad 1 to the open air and intake of cool air for Rad 2. This isn't going to be 100% ideal as you will still get warm air transfer, but you aren't pushing air from one rad directly into the other...it will have the ability to exchange warm/cool air prior to the 2nd rad.

Radiator_Sandwich.png