It will corrode over time - how long depends on the process used to manufacture it. These radiators are designed for use in a mixed-metal system, but the zinc acts as a sacrificial annode. The single exception to this is zinc-alloy radiators. While aluminum radiators are available and effective, they should only be used in a water cooling loop with all aluminum components. Just like other water cooling parts, radiators are made with different materials across different brands and models. Yes, we’re going to go over materials again. While radiators are simple in construction and their function is easy to understand, there are more factors to consider in a PC radiator than in any other part of your custom water cooling loop.Ĭopper and aluminum are the primary materials in PC cooling radiators. So how do you choose the right radiator (or radiators) for your water cooling needs? Without good heat transfer from the coolant to the outside air, the rest of the system will suffer. Choosing the right radiator will maximize your heat transfer and help the efficiency of the entire system. The heat cycle in a custom PC water loop.

So while liquid may cool our precious parts, it’s air that cools the liquid to start the cycle again. From there it’s picked up by the cooler water flowing through it and moved away to the radiator As the liquid flows through the tubes of the radiator, the heat moves one more time into the ambient air, assuming it’s cooler than the liquid in the radiator. In your water cooled PC, heat travels from a critical part into the water blocks mounted to it, since the block is colder than the part. Truth be told, PC water cooling is really air cooling. To understand that, you only have to understand one thing: heat moves. It’s a universal constant. Anywhere that there’s a difference in temperature heat will try to move to the area with a lower temperature. The greater the difference in temperature, the faster it moves. Once the temperatures equalize the movement stops.

Welcome back to the Component Series. We hope to help builders both new and old to understand their options when it comes to the components in their custom water cooling loops. In today’s entry we look at the complexities of modern PC water cooling radiators.

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