420 x 60mm vs 360 x 30mm Radiator Performance Difference

[tolagarf]

So I'm going to delid my CPU soon and by that I have to take apart my loop, want to do some cleaning while I'm at it and I've been thinking about switching out my top radiator from an Alphacool 360mm ST30 to a 420mm UT60. I have the fans, radiator and everything I need. Downside is there won't be room for push/pull with that thick radiator and I won't have room for my fill port on my 5.25" dual bay reservoir (the UT60 radiator is actually obstructing the fill hole).

Edit: For the record, the case used is Phanteks Enthoo Luxe TG

So I'm just really wondering if all this trouble is worth it, well besides the delid of course?

 

[Bartacus]

Hmm, unless you REALLY want to utilize that 420, I'd say it's not worth it. There won't be much cooling performance improvement, unless you're really pushing the 360 to it's limits. Might be a fun experiment though, for some temperature testing.

 

[Warchild]

You only gain a 1C extra drop from doing push/pull as opposed to just push.

The best cooling drop comes down to extra surface area. The increased thickness on the rad should give you a bigger drop but again, it wouldn't be that big. Judging by the hindrance you will get from the 420, I am not sure its worth it.

Of course, its up to you and imo you should see a better temp. Just a small improvement. I swapped an EK PE to an EK XE with same fan setup in my prev case. Temp improved by 3C. Nothing that great really.

 

[tolagarf]

You only gain a 1C extra drop from doing push/pull as opposed to just push.

The best cooling drop comes down to extra surface area. The increased thickness on the rad should give you a bigger drop but again, it wouldn't be that big. Judging by the hindrance you will get from the 420, I am not sure its worth it.

Of course, its up to you and imo you should see a better temp. Just a small improvement. I swapped an EK PE to an EK XE with same fan setup in my prev case. Temp improved by 3C. Nothing that great really.

Yeah that's the issue I've been thinking about. More surface area is always better, but then my static pressure will drop since 120mm fans always have better static pressure (within the same family of fans of course), and I need that with the Phanteks case since the top cover has a lot of resistance. I even removed the dust filter, since that's totally pointless when pushing air out from the top.

I believe I'd be better off just keeping it as it is, considering I have to sacrifice my fill port and mess around with pulling out the reservoir when I have to fill it. It's just a needless mess

 

[Bartacus]

Tolgarf: I have the same case, and mine came with 4 140mm fans that actually have REALLY good static pressure ratings.

 

[tolagarf]

Tolgarf: I have the same case, and mine came with 4 140mm fans that actually have REALLY good static pressure ratings.

I use Corsair ML120 / 140 Pro's. Some of the best fans I've ever used, I would consider them second after Noctua. I think I might be able to sell the UT60 radiator though and get an XT45 instead. Would enable me to keep my fill port in place