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.


Bykski labels this block as the FR-N-GTX1080, and so I will refer to it as such in the graphs to save some space. As expected, the larger microchannels and the split flow design keep the Bykski offering low on the flow restriction charts, which is always a good thing. CPU and GPU blocks tend to be the most restrictive elements in a custom watercooling loop, and a high-flow block will help a lot.

Note that the chart above has some item lines for blocks and backplates, and this was done to help distinguish any thermal performance differences. With the Bykski block, the included backplate was used, so it is part of every measurement, and a backplate will obviously not affect coolant flow by itself.