2011-2012 Radiator Comparison
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 07:20
Written by Cameron (skinnee) Shears
Quick Takes
Rounding out the comparison are notables from all the radiators tested thus far with a few links on where you can purchase the radiator. If you want further insight into any of the radiators, just read the individual reviews.
Aqua Computer AirPlex Revolution
- 140mm core with 140 and 120mm fan mounts
- Copper fins, 90% copper tubes, brass end tanks
- Triple row, two-pass/u-flow configuration
- 10 Fins Per Inch (FPI), 120mm – 15mm spacing / 140mm – 15mm spacing
- M3 PEM nuts for fan/mounts, 30mm screws included
- 2 sets of G1/4 Barb ports, 1 set of G1/4 plugs
- Dimensions: 465x146x63mm (LxWxH)
- Low flow restriction
- 140mm core of heat dissipation
- Excellent fan scaling
- Great value, ~$92
- Available from AquaTuning
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Coolgate 360
- Copper fins, 90% copper tubes, brass end tanks
- Triple row, two-pass/u-flow configuration
- 7 Fins Per Inch (FPI), Standard 15mm spacing, 6-32 tapped 1.25" screws included
- 2 sets of G1/4 Barb ports, 1 set of G1/4 plugs, end tank plug
- Dimensions: 414x124x60mm (LxWxH)
- Low flow restriction
- Solid heat dissipation
- Great low to mid speed performance
- Good value, ~$95
- Available from AquaTuning, Frozen CPU
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Phobya G-Changer 360 R1.2
- Copper fins, brass tubes and end tanks
- Triple row, two-pass/u-flow configuration
- 11 Fins Per Inch (FPI), Standard 120mm – 15mm spacing, M3 tapped 30mm screws included
- 2 sets of G1/4 Barb ports, 1 set of G1/4 plugs
- Dimensions: 416x125x60mm (LxWxH)
- Anti-vibration fan gaskets
- Low-average flow restriction
- Good performer for any fan speed
- Great value, ~$90
- Available from AquaTuning, Frozen CPU
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Swiftech MCR-320-QP
- Thin/slim profile
- Copper fins, brass tubes and end tanks
- Single row, two-pass/u-flow configuration
- 14 Fins Per Inch (FPI), Standard 120mm – 15mm spacing, M3.5 tapped, 30mm screws included
- Dimensions: 410x128x34mm (LxWxH)
- Average flow restriction
- Solid performance across all fan speeds
- Best value, ~$65
- Available from Frozen CPU
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Thermaltake Triple
- Copper tube, aluminium fins
- Serial Tube, Multi-pass (10 pass) configuration
- 17 Fins Per Inch (FPI), Non-standard 17mm spacing, M3 tapped
- Dimensions: 405x129x60mm (LxWxH)
- Extreme restriction
- Tolerable performance only above medium speed fans
- Available from N/A
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Thermochill PA120.3 15mm
- Copper fins, brass tubes and end tanks
- Dual row, two-pass/u-flow configuration
- 10 Fins Per Inch (FPI), Standard 120mm – 15mm spacing, 6-32 untapped fan/mount holes
- 10mm fan plenum on both sides
- G3/8 Barb ports, adapters or specific fittings required
- Dimensions: 405x129x60mm (LxWxH)
- Lowest flow restriction
- Excellent fan scaling, great performer at any fan speed
- The Legend, and performance baseline for all other radiators
- Available from Retired
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Special Thanks
Before we go, there are a number of gracious companies and people to thank, including: Aquatuning, FrozenCPU, Swiftech, Magicool (Coolgate) and I am sure there are others I am forgetting at the moment. Anyhow, thanks for making this comparison possible. Back again with another update soon…
Comments
Posted On
Mar 26, 2012Posted By
cool4topvery good review like always, thank you for the excellent job, look forward to getting new tests soon
Posted On
Feb 21, 2012Posted By
Matt_SharkeyA good compilation skinnee. I like that you remain unbiased in your overall test and results discussion, its a refreshing read.
I do have an issue with the relative comparison scale. While the AC Revo has the physical mounts for a 120mm Fan, I feel that it is somewhat of apples to oranges…
being such a large cooler it is expected that it will perform significantly better than smaller ones, where all other radiators in this comparison are well matched in size. In my perception of the hobby most builders are limited by the physical size allowed for a radiator, not the size of the fan. So I think that maybe the traditional radiators should be matched on their own relative performance, and maybe add the AC Revo as a value greater than 10, or simply add it to a comparison of all 140mm radiators.
I think that this chart makes the AC Revo look like the holy grail of radiators, when its really in a different league. I hope you consider this issue.
Great work overall though!
Posted On
Oct 22, 2011Posted By
nicodemusnice work skinnee! thanks for all that you do! any chance of getting in the new XSPC EX series rads for testing? i look forward to seeing how they compare against the RX series and against the Swiftech MCR QP.