Which do you prefer: Delta-T or Normalized to 20 C?

[Black Haru]

There are two schools of thought when presenting temperature data:

1. Delta-T: This is the temperature of the component being measured minus the ambient temperature. Ex: VRM temperature is 63 C and Ambient temperature is 25 C, the resulting Delta-T is 38 C (63 -25 = 38)

2. Temperature normalized to 20 C: For this method you take the actual ambient temperature and subtract 20 C; this new number is then subtracted from your measurement to correct for changes in ambient temperature. Ex: VRM temperature is 63 C and ambient temperature is 25 C. Subtract 20 from 25 to get an ambient delta of 5 C then subtract that from 63 C to get 58 C (25 - 20 = 5, 63 - 5 = 58)

Both are accurate representations of the data, it is just a matter of presentation. As such, I thought it would be best to ask you guys what you prefer.

To better illustrate the two methods, I will include actual data from my recent ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X review presented both ways for comparison.

First is standard Delta-T

Second is Normalized to 20 C

 

[EarthDog]

Normalized. But to 22C. 68F is a pretty chilly room. 72F is closer to a normal.

 

[John Naylor]

It's the same thing, delta T is easier

Option A = Delta T
Option B = Delta T + Math

Delta T is less work and more easily applied

Say Im ordering in a restaurant, what would you prefer.

Hamburger w/ Fries = $6.95 *
Angus Beef Burger = $7.95 *
Kobe Beef Burger + $11.95 *

* + $0.50 w/ cheese

or

Hamburger w/ Fries = $6.95 *
Angus Beef Burger = $7.95 *
Kobe Beef Burger + $11.95 *

* If the burger was $8.55 adding cheese would be $9.05

If Delta T is +20.... i can more quickly determine the expected test result I'm looking for ...

Look at thermometer, add +20 ... see if that's what i get



And if doing water cooling, everything is based upon delta T. For example, when you calculate required rad sizes, it's all based upon maintaining a air => coolant differential of a set number:

High End: Delta T = 10C
Mid Range: Delta T = 15C
Low End: Delta T = 20C\

Radiator test results are published @ 10C delta T

Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 360 Radiator

This is #10 in my series of triple radiators the Alphacool NexXxos XT45. We saw how “Full Copper” of the thicker 60mm UT60 did extremely well in performance and the XT45 shares that s…

martinsliquidlab.wordpress.com

Here we see if using fans at 1400 rpm, I can expect the UT60 radiator to handle 210 watts ... so if i calculate the heat load to be handled by the rad to be 245, then calculating coolant temp is easy 245 / 210 x 10C delta T ... much easier to multiply every number by 10 when making comparisons then a different number every time.

 

[sneekypeet]

Using normalized temperatures tends to mean the the environment is temperature, and typically, humidity controlled too. Using a Delta allows the temperature to be anywhere, and usually humidity is too, which can play hell on fans and cause readings to be higher when humidity is higher. I typically normalize at 23C but I mention there is some variance in that starting point a half of a degree either way (while humidity is as close to 40% as I can keep it) .

 

[Beertintedgoggles]

They are the same thing. Scenario 2 will always be 20 C higher than scenario 1. So.... same thing, only with a constant offset.

Edit: I guess you're asking for preference, can't say I have one. Sorry for the distraction.