Intro

Aqua Computer is well known for their CPU and GPU blocks in the US, but those over in Europe with better access to AC’s full line know their radiators too. The Airplex line has achieved several different versions and a various configurations. The Revolution is the current radiator in the Airplex line, it brings a unique and performance packed design to the test bench. This is our first Aqua Computer radiator test, and the first time I have had my hands on an Airplex, so I am certainly looking forward to this one. Before we get rolling, a thanks to AquaTuning for supplying the Airplex Revolution for testing.

Features/Specs

The Airplex Revolution is a 360/420 radiator, but the fan mounts are not the same as other manufacturers have done. On the Revolution, one side is for 140mm fans and the other for 120mm fans. As a disclaimer, I prefer the 120mm fan selection and that until now required adapters or troublesome fan gaskets. Sure, there are 120mm to 140mm adapters out there too, but the Revolution took care of that for us and has a whole side for 120mm fans, but wait… how many cases support triple 140′s being mounted in them? Be prepared to measure when we are taking 140mm radiators. The Airplex Revolution (aka: Revo) is big, especially when compared to a 120mm triple, but that increased surface area is definitely appealing.

Overall dimensions of the Airplex Revolution are 465x146x63mm, and there is a picture of the PA120.3 15mm to just to give you a size reference. Moving to the top tank, we have two sets of barb ports on opposing sides, Aqua Computer certainly supplies 2 plugs for however you feel like looping it up. Running down the 140mm side first, fan spacing is oddly 15mm. I say oddly because other 140mm radiators list their fan spacing at 20mm. Yes, fan spacing on the 120mm side is the standard 15mm, so no worries there. However, Aqua Computer includes two plates as guards for the 120mm side. With 120mm fans mounted (to the proper side), there is a gap between the fan and the end tanks, the supplied plates seal up that gap.

Moving our focus to the core, the Airplex Revolution is comprised of a triple row, 2-pass/u-flow configuration with 12 tubes per row (36 total). Tubes measure 2mm wide with an 8.5mm wide fin channel and sandwiched in that fin channel sit thirteen rows of copper fins at 10FPI. I am speculating that the tubes are brass since the descriptions I have read do not clearly state material of the tubes. Before even moving to the bench, the core design of the Revo already has me speculating at thermal results. The 120mm and 140mm side are the same in respects to the core; Aqua Computer chose to taper the side panel in for the 120mm support versus just making the side panel hang over further. To note, both sides have a shallow 5mm plenum. The Revo is already quite thick, adding an extra 10mm in thickness for a plenum could make the difference of fitting in a case or not.

Circling back to fan/mount holes, I was a little disappointed to find M3 screws grinning at me from the packaging. However, the Revolution uses PEM nuts in the mount holes and not a single screw gave me problems. Was a nice change having the PEM nuts in there versus tapped holes. If you look closely at the side panels of the Revo in the photos you will spot two holes in the side panels (PEM nuts too) in case you have unique mounting location, I doubt they are there for structural reasons.

• 140mm radiator core with 120mm fan mounts
• Semi-Gloss Black Finish
• Copper fins, 90% copper tubes, brass end tanks
• Triple row, Two-pass u-flow configuration
• 2 sets of G1/4 Barb ports, 1 set of G1/4 plugs
• 10 Fins Per Inch (FPI)
• 120mm -15mm spacing / 140mm – 15mm spacing
• M3 PEM nuts for fan/mounts, 30mm screws included
• Dimensions: 465x146x63mm (LxWxH)

   
 

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