radiator length vs thickness

romeooscarbravo · 7 Sep 2016 at 15:12

Hi,

I currently have a EKWB 360 XE at the top in my build but due to its thickness it covers the part of the water block. I have been thinking about replacing this for two slimmer radiators, a 360 at the front something like a nemesis 360 gts and then a 240 in the top.

Does anyone know which method is better to get lower temps?

Btw the rig is
Phanteks evolve atx tempered glass.
I7 6700k with ek supremacy
GTX 1080 founders with ek block
EK xres 140 d5 pwm.( i intend to get the ek res x3 multiport top to go on this, so i can use the in on the combo as the drain.As long as this is possible)

BluD · 7 Sep 2016 at 16:09

Yeah 2 thin rads is much better than one thick one, go for it. Thick rads are just for people with loads of space in teh case.

Quantum-192 · 7 Sep 2016 at 16:33

I have the same opinion as BluD.

Increase total surface area first then increase radiator thickness second if you have the room in your case.

romeooscarbravo · 8 Sep 2016 at 13:06

Fantastic, just as i thought. Has anyone got experience with the HW Labs GTS radiators as it seems to be the best performing thin rad yet appears hard to get in the uk.

Doobedoo · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:17

Watercooling UK sell them.

Smffy · 8 Sep 2016 at 17:43

Quantum-192 said:
Increase total surface area first then increase radiator thickness second if you have the room in your case.

Its more about the internal surface area also which is where the thickness comes in and the 140mm over 120mm. The cubic size internally is a big part of the 'cooling capacity' but if you're going slim get something with as good airflow as you can get because losing internal size makes you more reliant on the airflow to improve cooling.

Would agree though the HW Labs seem the best slims by some margin - just watch the external size of them as they come up pretty wide/long with the frame.