chunkysoup

Is there any benefit in running two smaller res's in line? I was giving my two year old a bath and started thinking the less amount of water in the bath the faster it cools off. If I fill it up more it stays warmer longer so wouldn't two small res's help in the cooling? I am thinking they would have to both be in line prior to the rad so that the water is somewhat cooler when it hits the rad and the fan on the rad would cool the cooler water to make it..ummm...cooler.

Anyhow if anyone could let me know if I am totally whacked or not it would be appreciated

thanks

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putwig

Quote: Originally Posted by chunkysoup Is there any benefit in running two smaller res's in line? I was giving my two year old a bath and started thinking the less amount of water in the bath the faster it cools off. If I fill it up more it stays warmer longer so wouldn't two small res's help in the cooling? I am thinking they would have to both be in line prior to the rad so that the water is somewhat cooler when it hits the rad and the fan on the rad would cool the cooler water to make it..ummm...cooler. Anyhow if anyone could let me know if I am totally whacked or not it would be appreciated thanks

The res has an absolutely negligible effect on cooling, unless it is massive. The water spends only seconds in the res. Even a massive res will increase the time to reach max temp, but not actually lower the max temp alot.

The res simply acts as an air trap, and can simplify filling.

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Sportbilly

More detail:

What you're seeing my Soupy friend, is the effect of surface/mass ratio.

Lower water level in a bathtub doesn't make for much of a reduction in the surface area, hence, the smaller volume of water cools down faster as it contains less energy.

In theory you are right, your reservoirs would lose more heat, so long as they either contained less water, or had greater surface area, but as the Hydro-Pimp pointed out, your water won't notice much of a difference, although I would suggest that it's not because of the time spent in the reservoir, as much as it is because the plastic is a lousy conductor of heat.

After all, the reservoir ALWAYS has water in it at higher than ambient temperatures, time spent in the reservoir by individual water molecules is irrelevant.

EDIT: The radiator itself is what you're suggesting taken to it's logical limit. A radiator is simply a small volume of coolant, with a large surface area (happens to be made out of a much more heat-conductive material also) If you want improvement that's noticeable, add another radiator, but you'd best make sure it's outside the case (or at least exposed to cooler air) to get the best out of it.

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putwig

I agree with everything Sport Billy said.

I tend to use the time spent in the res analogy because peaople tend to think of the res as a great wealth of cool fluid. In reality, the total res volume turns over on a second to second basis. Even if the 3 cup res were copper, very little cooling would occur. Couple that with the fact that reservoirs are usually plastic, very little (if any) cooling occurs there.

For the reasons that Sport Billy already stated ..... the rad does the cooling. The res is simply along for the ride.

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chunkysoup

Thanks for all your help guys. I was trying to eek a few more degrees out but I guess it just aint worth it. I am still planning it but it is in a holding pattern until we move into the new house...I just wanted to make sure I have everything I need and know what I am doing...so thanks again

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