Dual Loop versus Single, the facts

[rge]

MrBean, you got a 6C air to water delta with 1300 rpms fans on 240 rad with OCCT on 2 Xeon 5430 (TDP 80W each) so ~50W each OCCT load at stock settings or 100W both + dual GPU 5990 furmark which is an OCed 5970, from reviews similar power consumption to my gxt295 dual gpu.

I got 12.4 C air to water delta with 1300 rpm fan speeds push/pull on 360 rad (plus passive cooling 280 rad) with OCCT on my 1 CPU stock MHZ, vcore set to 1.15v + GPU furmark load (both gpus). My cpu temps were only 61C max since at stock.

I got 17.2C air to water delta same except my cpu/gpu at 24/7 settings OC settings. My cpu temps maxed at 87C.

I dont really care about the 6C discrepancy from error/different power/full cover or not.

But, by using my rad preference (360+240/280) instead of yours (240), just running prime on cpu I can shave 5C off my temps from say near 80 to mid/low 70's by ~halving my delta air to water to current 5C. You are making no greater gain on your liquid cooled cpu at 50W power with your liquid cooling vs high end air. Not to mention, if I am already forking out $$$$ for liquid cooling, gaining an extra 5C running prime for cost of another rad is IMO good bang for the buck given $$$$ paid for best cpu block/tim/fans, etc.

So I dont understand the soap box against 5C from extra rad (or even 3-4C for external rads) going from say 80C to 75C (given one already paid $$$ for water), when you are watercooling your cpu going from ~60C air to 50's C with your liquid.

As for your statement, biggest issue is gradient from core to water, I agree and have made the exact same argument, hence didnt argue with that. But until I can go after the biggest fish, will have to settle for smaller ones.