Expanding AIOs

LuckyBenski

LuckyBenski

LuckyBenski

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So this gets mentioned a lot as a potential benefit of discrete component AIOs over manufactured, sealed liquid coolers. But generally followed up with "but it's not recommended to actually expand this loop as the pump isn't very powerful".

So has anyone actually done it? How far would you go? Would you add a second radiator? How about a GPU block? Aside from nicer components and the ability to disassemble, clean and refill, is an AIO still not that flexible?

I have a bequiet! Silent Loop 360 and I want to repurpose the radiator as I have a better block and pump. Could I use the CPU block/pump combo in another build with a GPU?

I've seen virtually no one do this so I'm sceptical.
 
AIO pumps are frankly puny. I don't think any/most get near 100L/Hr before being fitted to the loop, which is well below the ideal of ~220L/Hr within a loop. Compare this to the >1000L/Hr you get from a DDC or D5 outside of a loop. Adding more tubing and radiators would drastically reduce this. Not even sure what kind of pressure they can generate with an AIO which would be another bottleneck.

EDIT: From https://www.ukgamingcomputers.co.uk/blog/does-pump-flow-rate-affect-water-cooling/

XSPC Single 420 Bayres
Flow: 7 Litres per minute
Temp: 74°c

Magicool MC-DCP450
Flow: 7.5 Litres per minute
Temp: 73°c

XSPC Photon Laing D5
FLow: 20 Litres per minute
Temp: 67°c
 
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