Cooling Chevette HC vs. BIX2

As the name suggests, I'm just wondering how close these two are in performance. I have a Chevette HC, and the other day when I was in a computer store they had a BIX2 on display. Until I got talking about it with the guy I thought it was the rad that took 2x80mm fans, but it was indeed the 2x120mm version. I was surprized how much bulkier my HC seems compared to the BIX2, but I haven't seen them side by side. I guess the whole point of this is that peeps have said I'd need the BIX2 to handle a 226W pelt, but I'm thinking that my HC might be enough? You'd think that the BIX2 would be better... I just wonder how much.

 

Procooling.com would know (ask someone like Bigben2k). Heatercores are pretty capable rads, however.

 

i would think the BIX2 would be must better given it's greater surface area, although it's not quite as thick, but sometimes, that's a good thing. as long as its not a Black Ice Pro II. i think a good single 120mm heatercore can perform just as well as the BIP II.

 

Just to give a good idea of the size comparison. My HC is 6" x 6" x 2" which works out to 72 cubic inches. The BIX2, just the core itself not including the fan mounts, is as best as I can tell 4.75" x 9.5" x 1.5" which works out to just under 68 cubic inches. Of course its surface area that is what's important, but it's interesting that the chevette HC is "larger" than the BIX2.

 

i don't think you factor in depth when you're measuring surface area.

 

Why not kaotic?

 

thats volume not surface area of the rad

You have to find the area of one of the fins then multiply that by how many fins there are.

 

Look at it this way. Say you had two BIX2 rads stacked one on top of the other. If depth didn't matter then the rad dimmensions would still be 9.5" x 4.75" and the cooling performance would remain the same as a single rad. Common sense should tell you that the cooling performance should be substantially better than a single rad. Maybe not quite twice as good since the air passing through the second rad will be slightly warmed by passing through the first rad, but I would guess it'd be pretty close.
I hope that clears it up for you.

On a side note, I FINALLY got it put together and up and running. I'm sure there's sensor error galore here but my idle temps are 36°C and loaded is 38°C, not bad I think.