Liquid Flow Restriction

I used a Swiftech MCP50X pump with a FrozenQ 400mL cylindrical reservoir. The pump was powered by a direct SATA connection to an EVGA 1300G2 PSU and was controlled by an Aquacomputer Aquaero 6 XT. There was a previously calibrated in-line flow meter and a Dwyer 490 Series 1 wet-wet manometer to measure the pressure drop of the component being tested. Every component was connected to the manometer by the way of 1/2" x 3/4" tubing, compression fittings, and two T-fittings.


Note that I have shortened Aqua Computer to AC here in order to make the name fit better, and also that I have two separate entries for the cuplex kryos NEXT - this one being reviewed and the first sample I received last year, which does not have the VARIO or VISION features. Since those features do not affect coolant flow in any way, both blocks have the same flow restriction, which in turn is higher than average, and I attribute this to the increased density in the microfins and thinner microchannels in a relatively small area, as we saw before. It is still not as bad as with the Swiftech Apogee XL or Phobya UC-1 Extreme, which are significantly higher and in a league of their own, but do be aware lest you attempt to get away with a pump that has low pressure head. Let's take a look at thermal performance on the next page now.