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.


Since there are only two blocks directly being compared here, I added in some more items for context, including an "average block" for the GTX 1080 that includes many more blocks I have tested. The general trend is that these two GPU blocks are less restrictive than your average CPU block that includes many more and often thinner microfins and channels that restrict coolant flow. Here too, the Bykski block with more fins in the same area is ever so slightly more restrictive than the EKWB offering, but the absolute difference is not really going to affect anything and should, as such, not be a factor for your purchasing decision between these two.