Nexxxos XT45 420 v2 or Nexxxos HPE-45 360 ?

[ldwilliams]

Hi,

I am lucky enough to have both alphacool nexxxos XT45 420 v2 and alphacool nexxxos HPE-45 360.
Question is, which might provide the better cooling?

According to this report https://www.enostech.com/alphacool-hpe-radiators-are-they-worth-it/ an HPE-30 performs slightly better than a XT45, in my case though the XT45 is a 420 whereas the HPE-45 is a 360.
Assuming that everything else remains as constant as possible (fans, revs etc) I am wondering whether the extra length in the XT would negate the better performace that the HPE appears to have?

Thanks

 

[Vanzin]

HI,

the bigger the radiator is, the more heat it can dissipate. Therfore the 420mm radiator can handle much more heat. The HPE Version will perform better than a different 360mm radiator, but not better than a 420mm radiator.

 

[ldwilliams]

HI,

the bigger the radiator is, the more heat it can dissipate. Therfore the 420mm radiator can handle much more heat. The HPE Version will perform better than a different 360mm radiator, but not better than a 420mm radiator.

I've also realised that the fans are 14 and not 12, they are Noctua Industrial NF 12/14 IPPC-2000 IP67 PWM
NF12 121 m/h 3.94mm H2O
NF14 182 m/h 4.1mm H2O
Similar static but around 50% more airflow

 

[Eddy]

Nothing beats more cooling surface. The fans are of secondary importance here. A 420mm fan will always be better than a 360mm radiator, even if you install the worst fans in the world on the 420mm and the best in the world on the 320mm (at the same speed).
And two 360mm radiators will always be better than one 420mm radiator.