Liquid Flow Restriction

I use a Swiftech MCP50X pump with a FrozenQ 400mL cylindrical reservoir. The pump is powered by a direct SATA connection to a CORSAIR HX750 PSU and controlled by an Aquacomputer Aquaero 6 XT. There is a previously calibrated in-line flow meter and Dwyer 490 Series 1 wet-wet manometer to measure the pressure drop of the component being tested—in this case that of each radiator. Every component is connected to the manometer by the way of 1/2" x 3/4" tubing, compression fittings, and two T-fittings.


If you have read through the previous page, these results won't surprise you. The single row of comparatively thinner tubing hurts, with the Heatkiller Rad 360-S more restrictive than most other radiators, including thicker dual-row radiators with more or thicker tubes, including other single-row radiators with thicker tubing. For what it's worth, the coolant flow restriction is still significantly lower than for the Black Ice Nemesis GTS and its OEM versions with even thinner tubing. If anything, this slots into the same regime as the thicker Black Ice Nemesis GTX and its OEM versions, which is not that bad in hindsight. Overall, I would term this a medium-restriction radiator with an average CPU or GPU water block coming in much higher. Note also that these results are taken at 1 GPM coolant flow in order to relate to historical measurements, but you really don't need to run your pump fast enough for such high a coolant flow to reap the cooling benefits of custom watercooling.