Advantages of a Remote Radiator
Why would you go through the trouble of separating the radiator? There are several compelling reasons:
- Superior Cooling Performance: By placing the radiator outside of a cramped, hot environment (like a computer case or a machinery cabinet), it has access to cooler, ambient air. Cooler air is more effective at removing heat, leading to lower overall temperatures for your components.
- Flexibility in Design and Space: It allows for much more creative and flexible system design.
- In PC Building, you can build a powerful, custom-cooled PC in a very small case because the massive radiator can be mounted externally.
- In Industrial/Vehicle applications, it allows engineers to place the radiator in a location with optimal airflow, even if the heat source is in a confined space.
- Reduced Noise: The noisiest parts of a cooling system are often the fans and the pump. By moving the radiator (and its fans) away from the user, the system becomes significantly quieter. For a PC, this means a near-silent workstation on your desk.
- Increased Radiator Size: There is no physical limit imposed by the case or chassis. You can use a radiator that is much larger and more efficient than what could ever fit inside the enclosure.
- Easier Maintenance: In some setups, accessing the radiator for cleaning (e.g., removing dust from the fins) is much easier when it’s mounted remotely.