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Hello Guys,
If you take a look back on the Watercooling-Solutions-Market, you might have noticed that many new products, especially new types of Radiators were launched. Therefore i would like to give a short overview of the new candidates in my new Triple-Radiator-Comparison.
It looks like that the trend goes to Big-Size-Radiators, if you take a look into the popular Watercooling-Shops, but the Radiators in the size 360 (3x120mm Fans are mountable) are as well very popular. This size provides enough cooling capacity for the most PCs and shows up with the advantage, that it could be integrated in most PC-Cases without any modifications. For further Information check the Sticky @ forumdeluxx.de and aquatuning.de www.Aquatuning.de
In this Roundup, I would like to present you a short overview concerning the current Triple-Radiators from low to high price ranges.
I wish you as always much fun reading my test and i hope that the Results may help you finding the adequate Radiator.
Test System:
Banchetto 101 Bench Station from Fa. Microcool
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 Mainboard
i7 920 @4Ghz
CPU Cooler: Watercool Heatkiller 3.0
Cougar GX 1050 Power-Supply
Kingston HyperX DIMM Kit 6GB
Noiseblocker Black Silent PL2 & Phobya Nano-G 12 Silent Waterproof 1500rpm Fan
Aquaero 4 VFD Control Unit
Laing DDC+ Pump with Alphacool Acetal Top
Alphacool Cyclone Reservoir
Aquacomputer Flow Sensor High Flow
Koolance VL3N Quick-Connectors & CPC Metall Quick-Connectors
Masterkleer 16/10mm Tube + 13mm Fittings
3x Sensors for Water temperature (2x T-Line, 1x in Reservoir)
Water filter from Aquacomputer
Thermal grease: Phobya HeGrease Extreme
Water additive: Innovatek Protect Mix
Testing procedure:
I used Prime95 in the latest version for stress-testing the CPU (Small FFTs). All temperatures were logged with the „Aquasuite“ from the „Aquaero 4 Control-Unit“. All measured values were taken after 60 minutes of stress-testing.
The most interesting value in my comparison is the difference (Delta T) of the room temperature according to the water temperature of the Radiator. The Delta T shows the cooling capacity of the Radiator according to the difference of the room and water temperature. Therefore the conclusion is very easy: If the difference between the two temperatures is very small, it shows the good cooling performance of the Radiator. I think the Delta-T, the flow-rate and the different fan speeds are the most interesting values, so I would like to focus this values in my scales for an easy understanding of them.
Short Overview of the testing candiates:
03.03.14 Update: 4 more radiators inserted -> Bitspower Triple Radiator, Phobya G-Changer 360 V2 Full Copper Watercool HTSF2LT, XSPC RX360 V3
Bitspower Triple Radiator
Now also Bitspower with there first radiator series are into this test. The triple radiator is delivered in bubble wrap in a neutral toned cardboard . In addition to the radiator , the usual fan screws and plugs for the G 1 /4" thread are included . These are plastic and transparent so something unusual. At first glance, the strong similarity coincides with the previously tested by me XSPC RX V2 radiator on and so it is not surprising that can convince these Bitspower radiator with the same very good values !
In addition, the Bitspower heat exchanger several more G were 1/4 " threaded openings donated , so that this model offers more possibilities compared to the earlier time tested RX V2 XSPC. I can make only an approximate statement about the price: it lies about 120 EUR.
The processing of the radiator is good and due to the identical top performance, this model has also earned a Gold Award .
XSPC RX360 V3 Triple Radiator
Now we come to the brand new high-end radiator from XSPC which could really surprise me! When you first look at the RX V3, one could suspect namely, that this model was designed more for higher fan speeds, but this is by no means so !
Even and especially with little air flow shows this "cold monster" what is in it !
With low fan speeds, the XSPC RX could put V3 radiator to the top of the test field and win the performance crown for themselves! Respect, I can only say, as the radiators from the AX and EX series, which were last published by this company are, indeed designed much more for higher air flow. Also the previous model, the RX V2 could be overtaken in the power again. The RX V3 radiator is delivered in a white cardboard box with XSPC logo and is also packaged in bubble wrap for protection.
The fan screws are supplied fortunately in black. Plugs are of course also included. G 1 /4" connection threads are 4 pieces available.
However, top performance here has a pretty steep price, so this radiator will cost around 105 euros currently in a German shop. The painting of the heat exchanger is very good, it was nowhere paint noses to see. Given the excellent performance of the new XSPC RX was able to secure V3 Triple Radiator a Gold Award and the first place.
Technical details:
Dimensions: 130 x 56 x 398.5 mm (W x H x D)
Material: copper, brass
Color: Matte Black
Connection: 2 x G 1/4 inch
Fan mounting with UNC 6-32 thread (on both sides) for three 120 mm fans
Weight (empty / fittings): about 1,630 g
Price: about 105 EUR
Phobya G-Changer V2 360 Full Copper Triple Radiator
With the Phobya G-Changer sends the revised and improved version for several years successful triple radiator in the race! This second Version now has copper fins and also machined from copper antechamber. The G-Changer as usual delivered in a cardboard held in Phobya Design. The radiator itself is packed again well protected in bubble wrap. Fan screws are supplied in 2 lengths, for assembly on the case and with or without a fan grill.
Plugs in sufficient number are of course also included. Conveniently located under the fan holes each narrow strips of metal which effectively protect the radiator from damage if the user has accidentally mistaken for the helical length! The painting of the Phobya G -Changer is very good, nowhere paint noses can be seen. Fortunately, there are 6 1/4" threads in the antechamber available, so there are many possibilities of piping and installation.
Now we come to power: The performance could be increased compared to its predecessor, the radiator so still offers a very good performance and the price is also in good.
Technical details:
Material: copper fins, copper channels, copper prechamber, brass thread
Color: Completely black
Dimensions: (L x W x H): 416x125x60mm
Connectors: G1 / 4 "
Weight: about 1736g
Mounting threads: On both sides for fans or mounting
Thread size: M3
Fan Size: 3x 120mm
Pressure tested: 2 Bar
Other features: Bleeding screw
Scope of delivery:
1x Radiator
12x M3x30mm Screws
12x M3x35mm screws
3x Black screw
Price: ca. 80 EUR
Watercool HTSF2LT 360 Triple Radiator
Now we come to an exotic in the test field. Firstly, because it is the HTSF2 LT is a so-called pipe radiator, partly because of this heat exchanger is made largely in Germany. A piupe radiator has the advantage that it can drain away in an instant, as opposed to a network radiator (type of ~ 90 % of the radiators of this test ) where the ventilation process can sometimes take several hours. The Heat Transformer 2 Light is 45mm thick and is designed primarily for slow-spinning fans. In this discipline the Watercool Radiator actually makes a very good character and able to survive in the top ranks of the extensive field test! The radiator will be packed in bubble wrap shipped together with fan screws and an instruction manual. A shipping carton one looks in vain, unfortunately, a little sad, I think.
For the i had the LT version of the radiator which present has at the end faces polished stainless steel elements, a visual highlight! The side panels are powder coated black.
The LTX variant also offers stainless steel side elements and is about 10 EUR more expensive.
Connection thread can be found at this radiator model only 2 pieces, which are located on the side. In summary, it is at the Watercool HTSF2LT a very well-made radiator with peak power in the upper price segment!
Technical details:
Material: copper tubes, aluminum fins
Material housing: powder coated sheet steel, polished stainless steel
External dimensions (L x W x H): 410x130x50 mm
Weight: about 1550g
Pressure tested: 5 bar
Surface: Black coated
Connection: 2x thread G 1/4 inch
Scope of delivery:
1x HTSF2 3x120 LT
1x Mounting material / instructions
Price: 100 EUR
Update 14.09.12: Added two radiators -> Aquacomputer AMS 360 and XSPC AX 360 silver !
Aquacomputer Airplex Modularity System - AMS 360
The Airplex Modularity System Radiator series (abbreviation: AMS) shows up with a lot of different features like no other producer on the watercooling-market.
So let us start at the beginning: I tested in this review the AMS 360 with aluminum fins and stainless-steel sidebars. The radiator is well packed and comes to you in a neutral brown box without any flashy designed signs and logos. Unfortunately the radiator comes without any scope of supply.
After the unboxing procedure you will recognize a „WOW-Effect“. The radiator looks very noble and the processing quality is on the highest level.
The connection terminal is made of black delrin and offers six connection ports with common G ¼ threats.
The high amount of six connection ports allows an individual assembly of the water-cooling-circuit. The connection terminal has some IN and Out Markings. The AMS is a typical tube-radiator in contrast to the widely-used mesh-radiators. The tube-radiator has the advantage that it can be easier exhausted from the air. On the other side it performs slightly not well as the mesh-radiators (I will focus this aspect later).
Let us take a closer look at the special features of this radiator, which is produced in Germany: You can purchase this radiator with aluminum and copper fins. The copper fins look very noble and should optimize the cooling performance as well.
Furthermore the AMS radiators can be used for more than one water-cooling-circuit and the stainless-steel sidebards can be changed to anodized ones in different colors (red, black, and blue). The delrin connection terminal can be changed to a special “coupling-part”, which allows to extend the AMS radiator with other AMS radiators. Furthermore you can buy assembly brackets for a better installation of the radiator.
Another positive aspect is that you will not have to clean the radiator by flushing with water and Cilit Bang. The AMS Radiator has no production rests inside, because it has no solder connections.
If you want to clean the radiator, i can tell you, that it is very easy to disassemble.
You can use Fittings up to a size of 13/10mm on the G ¼ connection threats of the AMS radiator. If you like to use bigger fittings you will need to use G ¼ extensions.
Only copper and stainless-steel will have contact to the water. So there will not be any problems at operation.
The AMS radiators are quite compact in comparison to other radiators. Another highlight of this radiator series are the additional pump-modules, which can be directly connected to the radiator. Other additional features are sensors, filters or reservoirs. You might have noticed that there are many different assembly possibilities.
So let us focus the important details: Performance! The AMS Radiators are optimized for slower fan speeds and they convinced at this topic all the way. The radiator achieves a Gold Award because of its great assembly varieties. The Gold Award shines very bright, but remember, that great light causes as well small shadows
. A slight negative aspect is the scope of supply. I would have been happy about fan-screws, an installation manual or an advertising folder about the additional accessories. The radiator performs very well, but the cooling-performance could have been optimized, if the case fits perfect to the installed fans. If you want to eliminate the small space between case and fans, you should use foam decouplers for the fans (I have tested the radiator WITHOUT this modification). This modification results in better temperatures around 0.2 -0.5k, which means that the radiators reaches higher positions in the charts.
The price for the tested model is with 130€ quite high, but the whole package (additional accessories) and the excellent processing quality legitimate the high price.
Technical Details:
Sizes: (L x B x H): 404 x 147 x 64mm
Material: brass stainless-steel, copper, aluminum, delrin
Threat Size: 6x G 1/4"
Fan Threat M3
Price: ca. 129 €
XSPC AX360 - silver -
The AX360 is another radiator from the well-known producer XSPC (three models in this review). Each radiator is designed for a specific type of customer.
The AX360 is optimized for higher fan speeds and performs very well. The Radiator is well packed in bubble-foil and comes in a black box with blue letterings.
The scope of supply contains black fan screws (i think XSPC follows the latest desgin trend).
The Radiators of the AX-series can be bought as single, dual, triple or quad-radiators for 120mm fans in two different colors (black painted, or silver aluminum sidebars with copper fins). The last one looks very noble.
Another comfortable feature is that you can disassemble the end caps, if you want to clean the inner parts of the radiator. Some of you might find here a place for some cool modifications I think.
The processing quality of the test sample is good and the cooling-performance is as well good, if you use higher fan speeds.
Technical Details:
Sizes (L x B x H): 400x127x40mm
Material intern: Copper
Material Case: Inner threads brass, chambers copper
Color: silver or black
Threat Size: 2x G 1/4"
Fan Threats: M3
Weight: ca. 950g
Price: ca. 100 - 110 EUR
Update 20.08.12: Added 4 more radiators !
Coolgate 360 Full Copper Radiator
After all the standard version convinced me with its well cooling-performance and processing quality, but the full copper can be described of the top model of the Coolgate radiator family.
The scope of supply is similar to the standard version, except the difference that you will find some additional gloves to prevent the copper from finger prints during the installation. The processing quality is on a very high level.
The high quality results in a higher price for the customer, which means, that you will have to pay around 115€ for the radiator.
Here are some excerpts from the press announcement:
The surface-processing of Computer-Radiators is always a great challenge for the producers. On one side the customer wishes to buy a product with the highest cooling-performance. On the other side the customer likes to buy a product with a nice outward appearance.
The disadvantge of a lacquered surface results in the reduction of the heat emission. An alternative solution might have been the copper or nickle-plate the surfaces, which is quite a difficult procedure, because of the different small fins and parts.
Until now, only radiators with a maximum thickness of 35mm can be made of copper. This radiators have the advantage of a better heat emission and cooling performance in contrast to the lacquered models
After long years of development and the implementation of new techniques the company COOLGATE has reached the goal to produce Radiators totally made of copper up to a thickness of 60mm. The shiny and glossy outward appearance is a great contribution to a high-end-configured computer system.
This is an important message to the water-cooling-community. Therefore you will reach a plus of performance, which means as well, that you can easier reach the limits of your hardware.
Technical Details:
Material: Copper fins, Brass pre-chambers, tubes made of copper
3 water chambers 13 x 2mm
Color: copper
Size (L xB x H): 413,6 x 124 x 60mm
Fittings: G1/4"
Thread-Size of the screws: 6-32 UNC
Weight: 1350g
Volume: 400ml
Pressure tested: 1.5bar
Fan size: 120mm
Other specials: additonal thread for easier filling
Price: ca. 115 Euro
