I’ve always wondered how a custom PC cooling loop equalizes no matter if there’s a radiator between the CPU and GPU. For instance here’s two loops that theoretically cool to the same temp:
Note: there’s only one pump in these loops.
Loop A:
Pump > CPU > Radiator > GPU > Radiator > Pump
Loop B:
Pump > CPU > GPU > Radiator > Radiator > Pump
Why do both loops equalize to the same temp?
Solved: Thank you for your responses!!
In: 3
You are correct in that theoretically there is a difference. The CPU and GPU are adding heat into the system while the radiator is removing it (and the pump has no measurable impact on the temperature). This means that the fluid moving away from the CPU and GPU must be warmer than when it entered in order to be carrying away heat, and it must emerge from the radiator at a lower temperature than it entered or it isn’t removing heat.
However in a practical sense the heat capacity of the fluid and the speed at which it cycles means that the difference in temperature is negligible. The amount of heat which can be deposited into a given volume of fluid as it passes isn’t enough to make it shift in temperature very much and the fluid in the loop can be considered to be homogeneous.
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