Hardware Labs 480GTX thermal testing results

[Martinm210]

First a very special thanks to Jeremy from Danger Den for providing me not only one, but two samples to use for my system upgrade. Danger Den is really committed to helping us testers out in providing you with information about performance, and that means ALOT! in my book.

I'd also like to give special thanks to Linus from NCIX for providing me the fans to test with, they are also very interested in helping out the community.

I've updated my previous review here:
http://www.martinsliquidlab.com/HWla...TX-Review.html

As you might expect, the radiator is an impressive one, for estimated water temperatures you can use this chart:



And to compare fan effects with the Thermochill PA120.3, you can use this C/W vs RPM chart.


I've also taken it another step and used the results to estimate the differences using different heat loads and fans on the PA120.3 vs the HWlabs480GTX.



Bottom line..the 480GTX provided better heat dissipation from about 1120RPM on up, and at 3000RPMs it's dissipating nearly twice as much.

Yate loon designates the D12SL12 fan as their "Slow Speed" fan which is specified to run at 1350RPM.

The Thermochill PA120.3 is still KING of the Ultra low fan category (Less than 1100RPM), it's also extremly low in restriction comparatively, so it does very well in multiple radiator loops.

The 480GTX is however KING of Slow, Mid, High, and Ultra High speed fans(Greater than 1100RPM). That's impressive!

Cheers
Martin

[chunkylover77]

Great work Martin. Thanks for this.

[WoZZeR999]

That's pretty impressive. Only problem now, is how you fit that on anything?

[lyl]

another set of comprehensive testing results! thanks martin

[evil-98]

yay! no more contemplating 480 it is! thanks martin

[RockfordFosgate]

Hmmm interesting I want to buys one of these..

Great work martin

[MpG]

Excellent! This is the kind of hard data that desperately needed in larger quantities, and you do an excellent job of both gathering and presenting it. Looking at the c/w graph really highlights the fact that different radiators can be optimized for different airflow speeds, and actually be superior to the other under the right conditions.

That said, any chance of adding in a theoretical 360GTX curve? I don't begrudge the 480GTX its victory under most of the curve (and it tells me that I made the right choice for my sub-1000rpm fans), but a comparison to the 360 might do more to directly highlight construction and design differences between the two. Doing some basic estimation, it seems that such a curve wouldn't upset the boat too much, except that the crossover point would likely slide up to about the 1500rpm mark.

Regardless, great job! Hope to see more in the future!

[Arkangyl]

Excellent review, I was a bit disappointed seeing as I just bought a PA 120.3 then remembered that the 480 wouldn't fit in my U2-UFO, time for 22" cubes anyone? :-P

[generics_user]

basically this confirms the testing done by "effizienzgurus" in germany, they figure out that a gtx 360 equals a pa 120.3 at 1200+ rpm and continues to increase its lead with higher speed fans


great testing, thanks!

[R4z3R]

i think the interesting point should be the curve, that for 1600rpm or above is the same (obviously situated lower because of the bigger radiator)..to conclude ihmo the gtx 360 should have the same curve of the pa120.3 with 1600rpm or above, and similar performance with around 60cfm fans and not 100cfm (or more) as said from someone

sorry for my english, I'm not an engineer but hope you see what i mean
cheers
thanks martin
RzR

[skinnee]

I knew I should've went with higher speed fans on my PA120.3's instead of going with D12SM12's.

[Martinm210]

Thanks guys.

I've been thinking about doing some sort of extraction of the data to convert the c/w data per 120mm section of radiator, I just havn't tested enough radiators yet of the same exact type to know if it's a simple factor such as C/W X 120mm sections for an equivalent 120mm c/w. According to thermochill's posted data, that does appear to be roughly correct, but not exact. There is probably some losses occuring in the end caps/chambers. After I complete my XSPC RS series radiator tests, I'll be better able to see how I can piece apart and estimate smaller sizes from larger radiator tests.

Sorry I don't have the 360GTX to test, but I am planning to continue working on rads for a bit longer before switching over to the CPU testing again. It would obviously be different comparing a PA120.3 to a 360GTX for those who are space limited. I have all my big rads external, so for me...I was mostly interested in seeing how each one does and considering they are about the same price...it was apples and apples enough for my particular needs. In my case, I like running the yate loon D12SL12 fans, although after testing, the mediums really not noticeably louder from what I could tell. For 1550 RPM slot, I'll get a little better temps with the 480 by a degree or so with the quad core overclocked when I get that all up and running.

[Sadasius]

I wonder if 2 GTX240's would be equal to one GTX480. Hope so because that's what I have.

[disruptfam]

very nice martin.thanks for all the effort "WE" all appreciate it.I would also like to see a test on the gtx 360

[NaeKuh]

Martin i Hate you.

Dont ever talk to me again.

Cuz of this i bought 2 480GTX's today.

Dayam YOU!

LOL... on a real note tho, martin great work as always.


Now to think of a way to mount them on my DD torture rack. Cuz i seriously did order 2.

DB where are you!?!?!?

[Martinm210]

Martin i Hate you.

Dont ever talk to me again.

Cuz of this i bought 2 480GTX's today.

Dayam YOU!

LOL... on a real note tho, martin great work as always.


Now to think of a way to mount them on my DD torture rack. Cuz i seriously did order 2.

DB where are you!?!?!?

I'm blaming hardware labs for making such a nice radiator and going big with quad sizing..

I've always been more a performance IS form type, so I have no problem hanging both of mine off my aged and gatting arse old armor case...

I think I'll be running one of the 480's dedicated to the CPU and the second for my 8800 and chipset blocks. You can never have too much radiator..lol!

[NaeKuh]

I'm blaming hardware labs for making such a nice radiator and going big with quad sizing..

I've always been more a performance IS form type, so I have no problem hanging both of mine off my aged and gatting arse old armor case...

I think I'll be running one of the 480's dedicated to the CPU and the second for my 8800 and chipset blocks. You can never have too much radiator..lol!

ROFL..

1 for the NICE TEC blocks you made me.

1 for the GPU.

Sorry martin i wanna show off your masterpiece so i hope you dont mind. :P

But that 480GTX should have no problems keeping this monster in check @ 1500 RPMS

[CedricFP]

What is that TEC block for? Does it cool the water on one side, therefore heating it on the other?

[Martinm210]

ROFL..

1 for the NICE TEC blocks you made me.

1 for the GPU.

Sorry martin i wanna show off your masterpiece so i hope you dont mind. :P

But that 480GTX should have no problems keeping this monster in check @ 1500 RPMS

Yeah, that TEC block is a perfect match for the 480. TEC's are extreme heatloads and that's where you'll really see the advantages particularly with the stronger fans.

I'm still waiting for you to put 3 BIG TECs in there and start NEEDING antifreeze for it's lowering the freezing point abilites.

I want to see three in there and one on the processor..

[Martinm210]

What is that TEC block for? Does it cool the water on one side, therefore heating it on the other?

It's a TEC chiller block idea, it took forever to make, but it was a fun project. It's meant for two loops, one to cool the CPU loop and a second that does nothing more than cool the hot side.

[CedricFP]

It's a TEC chiller block idea, it took forever to make, but it was a fun project. It's meant for two loops, one to cool the CPU loop and a second that does nothing more than cool the hot side.

Yeah, I figured. That could be a great idea. How much lower temps did you get the water on the cold side? Also, with the TEC, doesn't it follow that the hotter the hot side, the colder the cold side. So wouldn't there have to be a balance found when it came to cooling the hot side?

[SiGfever]

Martin as always great testing and data presentation.

[cryptospartan]

nice review man i feel bad that i bought the thermochill rad

[NaeKuh]

Yeah, I figured. That could be a great idea. How much lower temps did you get the water on the cold side? Also, with the TEC, doesn't it follow that the hotter the hot side, the colder the cold side. So wouldn't there have to be a balance found when it came to cooling the hot side?

LOL.. lets not steal this thread. I just wanted to show off the kind of work martin does.

I tried to keep this a secret from the liquid cooling section. Any questions regarding Martin's Uber work should go in this thread.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=172946

nice review man i feel bad that i bought the thermochill rad

Still the largest class radiator that will fit inside a MM class case without moding. :P

Yeah, that TEC block is a perfect match for the 480. TEC's are extreme heatloads and that's where you'll really see the advantages particularly with the stronger fans.

I'm still waiting for you to put 3 BIG TECs in there and start NEEDING antifreeze for it's lowering the freezing point abilites.

I want to see three in there and one on the processor..

Okey martin if you watch TV and notice Los Angeles going though a blackout due to a unknown energy loss, its me.

[Clue69Less]

Excellent work and beautiful graphics Martin.