Omega Thermocouple (in IHS) Vs. Onboard Sensors

[MaxxxRacer]

The next question is why is so much heat being spread through a relativly thin IHS. "My theory" is that it has to do with the high resistance (compared to the copper spreader) of the tim joint. As thin as the spreader is it's much easier for the heat to move lateraly than to move straight through the TIM joint. The more the heat spreads, the lower the TIM resistance becomes (due to the now larger heat transfer area).

The problem with your theory is that not so much of the heat is being spread through the IHS as you think...

[aicjofs]

Here I am getting all wrapped up in this. *sigh* Better then watching American Idol with the woman though.

To stop the side distractions a very clear goal and testing method needs to be established. So far it seems to be evolving which is fine. What info are we after? Are we measuring pure waterblock performance or leaving that job to the block makers? Is it more encompassing then Maxxx has the tools for at the current time? Would forum users get more out of what the "average Joe" will see temp wise at the IHS if the "average Joe" followed the directions for mounting and applying thermal compound from the vendor and had the same pump and radiator as tested. Or are we after something else.

What I am about to say is all hypothetical. Lets say in a lab enviroment the Storm outperforms a TDX for raw heat transfer performance, but what if 9 out of 10 users have an easier time mounting the TDX to lab specs, where only 5 out of 10 can mount the Storm properly to get those ideal temps. What block is then best? What exactly are we interested in?

So are we studying absolute heat transfer performance of the blocks or block performance as veiwed from the "average Joe", or some other study. If we define what we are looking for then some of this side talk can be more clearly focused. I don't really care what is decided as the goal, I would be interested in either of my exampes or something else, we just need a clearly defined one so all this excess energy eveyone has is properly channeled.

edit: thanks for the link FLB.