What or how many radiators are required for a custom loop?
What or how many radiators are required for a custom loop?
n0ns3s:
@Splas0rr are you kidding me ?
3000 RPM and 6 units? You think placing them next to it will help?
Honestly, Corsair fans are pretty good but mostly just nice-looking toys.
Still, performance is usually better with Noctua NF-F12 which can be swapped with GT.
Regarding Nemesis, they’re decent. A GTS240 X-Flow really appeals to me because of its look. But the ST30 from alphacool is more compact and offers more ports – handy when you want to go "creative".
[/quotemsg]
That’s a bit more to the point than just a shiny gadget comment.
Airflow 12 - 75 CFM
Static Pressure 0.2 - 4.2 mmH20
Sound Level 16 - 37 dBA
Speed 400 - 2400 RPM
The Noctua NF-F12 is outdated and can’t compete with the ML pro in any case, but make sure your info is accurate before you judge gear you don’t fully understand.
Here’s a revised version of your text:
Let’s keep it clear and accurate.
Airflow 12 - 75 CFM
Static Pressure 0.2 - 4.2 mmH20
Sound Level 16 - 37 dBA
Speed 400 - 2400 RPM
The Noctua NF-F12 isn’t a new development; it simply can’t compete with the ML Pro in any scenario. Still, it’s important to ensure your information is correct before making comments about gear you don’t fully understand.
A bit more consideration would be helpful here—you can have differing opinions without being unkind.
Here’s a rewritten version of your text:
Geekwad:
Splas0rr :
Stay informed and keep your comments accurate
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That’s more useful than some flashy toy remarks,
Airflow 12 - 75 CFM
Static Pressure 0.2 - 4.2 mmH20
Sound Level 16 - 37 dBA
Speed 400 - 2400 RPM
The Noctua NF-F12 isn’t new, it can’t compete with the ML Pro in any scenario, but you still need to be clear about your facts before making comments on gear you don’t fully understand.
A bit more politeness would go a long way; it’s okay to have different opinions without being rude.
I’m just sharing the details here. If you misunderstand this, I’m sorry, but you really should review your information before saying others are wrong or not.
I also suggest adding one loop for the entire system, which I think will simplify setup and improve head pressure and cooling. I wouldn’t choose the EK XE 360 since there are several reasons; it’s likely the top 360 model available.
I could opt for two HWLabs black ice nemesis 360GTS radiators—they’ll offer superior cooling, run sub fans at under 800 RPM, and I strongly endorse Corsair ML Pro 120mm fans. They outperform current models in static pressure and airflow, reaching peak performance at over 3000 RPM.
Regarding the reservoir, I’d definitely consider a pump/reservoir combo such as the EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM (including a sleeved pump). It’s probably the best D5 pump available thanks to EK’s redesign, which enhances base performance and delivers quieter operation.
Size of the tubes significantly impacts cooling efficiency. Using larger diameter tubes helps avoid reduced cooling in water blocks due to excessive flow.
The GTS series is designed for low RPM fans (HWL calls it stealth mode), ideal for users who value quiet operation and can reuse existing case fans. The drawback is the higher cost: EK XRES inc D5 pump plus two GTS 360 models already costs around $200. For top-tier water cooling, a 6800K with two GTX 1070s is a solid investment—expect fans to last 4-5 years and the pump 2-3 years. These parts are likely to be available from other vendors if needed.
If you’re planning CPU and GPU cooling, consider aesthetics as well.
Statistical data:
On free SPL units with RPM above 1000–1300, there’s noticeable noise. I don’t know the exact decibel levels, but I’m unsure if 16–37 dB was measured accurately, and whether there’s interference between the sound source and mic. Most people place fans inside the case, which likely reduces pressure. I personally use Corsair ML series because of their long life and occasional switch to Vardar FF5 for better cooling efficiency.
On radiators:
The GTS 360 should fit most cases better than thicker XE 360 models, especially on the front and top. With about 6cm clearance, faster fans dissipate heat more effectively. Operating conditions suggest increasing RPM or adding more fans in a push-pull configuration could further lower coolant temperature. For tight spaces where adding more radiators isn’t possible, a high-performance push-pull setup is often more cost-effective than installing multiple low-RPM fans.
There are various approaches to testing for static pressure, but none are universally recognized. The methods differ widely depending on company-specific setups, fan angles, surface conditions, and water properties. It's common for results to vary significantly—some fans might achieve high performance while others struggle, even with minor changes in configuration. Factors like FPI, airflow direction, and CFM also play a role. I find the Nf-F12 appealing, though it doesn't stand out compared to the Phanteks PH-F120MP.
Interesting fact is that the EK Vardar fans I tried on the Predator are actually quite quiet, even when running at full speed, which is about 1900RPM, right? Also, fan noise plays a big role depending on whether you're pushing or pulling – pulling should be quieter since the fan blades aren't constantly hitting air from the radiator fins like in push mode. Plus, the pull setting usually performs better or at least as well in most cases, especially at higher speeds and helps reduce the issue of the middle zone being noisy during push.
My prediction is that fan efficiency and noise levels can change based on the rad/case/grill dimensions, design, and FPI, among other factors. Quality differences also play a role. I owned a Noctua WPM fan that produced a bothersome clicking sound. Regarding the push/pull debate, performance rankings are generally push/pull ahead of pull, though the gap is minimal. It also depends on rad FPI and thickness. Because I favor compact builds, push/pull isn’t a priority for me. On rads with intake mounts, I opt for pull for easier cleaning. So far, no dust filter has achieved perfect results. With exhaust rads, it doesn’t matter much. I’m currently leaning toward push for aesthetics and symmetry.
By the way, Rubix should check how much more I managed to integrate into the Nano setup—though it’s not yet finalized. I plan to do additional work (add resins inside, adjust tubing layout, modify VRM heatsink, and eventually swap acrylic for galss) before posting a build log or adventure update. It’s rewarding to see that minor adjustments handle around 350-400 watts of load, producing barely audible to almost silent operation depending on the target temperature.
It's interesting to note that the EK Vardar fans I tested on the Predator are quite quiet, even at high speeds around 1900RPM. Also, fan noise plays a significant role depending on whether you're running in push or pull mode—pull should be quieter since the blades aren't constantly hitting air from the radiator fins as they do in push settings. The pull configuration usually performs better or is comparable at most speeds and helps reduce the dead zone found in the middle of the fan that push mode encounters. True, hwlabs refers to this as "opti-flow," aiming to close the gap on Rad's "dead zone." If space allows, adding a matching blank fan shroud might eliminate the dead zone. I'm not sure about other models, but my XE 360 tends to be quieter in pull-pull compared to push-pull.
Hey everyone, I’m sharing what I’ve experienced with the NF-F12, Vardars, F4-120ER, Furious Vardar FF5-120, and Phanteks fans silent wing. I’ve had a few models go through it, including 2 F4-120ER, a Furious Vardar FF5-120, and a Phanteks fans silent wing.
I agree with the Corsair fan experience—I’ve tried many of those too, but they were quite noisy. The ML Pro fans seem to be the best I’ve tested so far, and their performance really stands out. I also checked the Corsair ML120 Pro reviews online; most agree it’s a solid choice, though nothing is set in stone for testing static pressure.
I recommend checking the Corsair ML120 Pro review and seeing what others say. It seems like there might be some misunderstandings about this fan.
One of my radiators is an EK XE 360, and this is the one I’ve tested most. For me, it performs better than any other fans I’ve had.
I also respect your thoughts on fans, but my main concern isn’t the brand or being a fanboy. It’s just that with push-pull setups, I’ve noticed a big difference in performance—especially with dense radiators like the EK XE 360 and the 3 HWLabs GTX 480. The ML120 Pro fans really help improve things.
And the NF-F12 does have a feature called "focused flow" that makes it stand out compared to others. That’s something you should know about if you’re considering it.