Radiator selection

Mercutio

Mercutio

Mercutio

Soldato
Joined
11 Jun 2003
Posts
5,233
Location
Sheffield, UK
So... I've got a LOT of space for radiator setup in a near future custom loop.

Probably looking at a 480 + 240.

My intention is for relatively quiet. I don't really mind putting some relatively decent fans on it to keep airflow reasonable so thicker rads can be used.

Was looking at the likes of the top tier hwlabs gtx/etc. Seen plenty of talk there about it needing good flow rates/high CFM/high RPM etc to be super effective.
Considered that a bit, looking at GTS... then spotted the Koolance HX-cu series.
FPI seems MUCH higher on a thinner rad.
Now... I'm not allll that far into this side of things yet but that sounds like a decent combination? A high static pressure fan with decent CFM should be quite a good match for that sort of rad, correct?

Sadly, seems that line has ended. So... rather than trying to pick up on slightly older/deader models... What currently is a good rad, high FPI, to match a low-mid to mid-high set of fans being driven by a EK DDC pump? I'm probably wanting something that isn't too flow restrictive as the pumps not got the highest head on it. Currently looking at Akasa apache fans.

I'm probably JUST able to squeeze a pair of 420mm rads in if that ends up being easier.
 
The problem I have found from high FPI Rads is they make a lot of wind noise as the air is channel through the rad, as such I think they are falling out of fashion for low FPI rads with more normal Fans to keep noise down but still not bad cooling ability.

It has to be 120 rads does it? Personally im a huge fan of 140 due to the lower "Whine" noise of 140 fans, but people often get confused as comments of 140 mm fans have less static pressure, well yes cause its more surface area, but im not big on maths so I wont say anymore :)

Just keep researching until you find something that your happy with.
 
To be honest, it doesn't really matter all that much what you get it your going to have 2 big rads. It's over kill unless your cooling 3/4 GPUs ?
 
VKleita said:
The problem I have found from high FPI Rads is they make a lot of wind noise as the air is channel through the rad, as such I think they are falling out of fashion for low FPI rads with more normal Fans to keep noise down but still not bad cooling ability.

It has to be 120 rads does it? Personally im a huge fan of 140 due to the lower "Whine" noise of 140 fans, but people often get confused as comments of 140 mm fans have less static pressure, well yes cause its more surface area, but im not big on maths so I wont say anymore :)

Just keep researching until you find something that your happy with.
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Handy insight, lots of "little" "obvious" bit's I hadn't really considered tbh. I'll probably aim for average FPI then, reasonable fans and hope I can get a cooling/noise profile out of it I like :) 140's.... MIGHT work. I'd be at a pair of 420's if I went that route. Should have just enough height on the plate they'll be sat on for ~285mm of radiator. Need a wee bit of space to the side or below (was basically going to have 240x120mm of space as I was planning it) to run cables etc through.

Eh, a picture as it sets the scene easier: https://i.imgur.com/HLiBkjt.jpg https://i.imgur.com/yjuFn3j.jpg. Replacing the 2x240mm aio's with a 480, space below to squeeze another in and I can make the drawer a little deeper or mount the rads on the outside at the back. Getting a metal backplate made so I've got a lot of leeway with how I do things and tidying up the sides (this was a bit rough n ready to check it worked). The drawer slides in and the 200mm intakes line up with those holes (covered with bass speaker grills now). There's a second drawer above I can make smaller (within reason) too or a bit of space underneath I can deepen the drawer into :)


I know the black ice are great, hence mentioning the GTX/GTS, just... the GTX are rather pricey so looking at some reasonable alternatives.

koooowweeee said:
To be honest, it doesn't really matter all that much what you get it your going to have 2 big rads. It's over kill unless your cooling 3/4 GPUs ?
Click to expand...

Nah, 1080ti and a 2700x, nothing too special :)
 
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FPI and rad thickness is a trade off between cooling and noise. The higher the FPI the higher speed you need to run your fans to push air through it, same with thick rads which is why they tend to have a much lower FPI. But high FPI and thick rads have more cooling potential.


But given you have far more 'rad' than you need it's best to go with lower FPI so you can run slower fans and ultimately a quieter system.
 
Skorpion said:
Sorry, you never mentioned anything about a budget.
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Yeah, there's no REAL budget but... I tend to be in the "high end, value for money" sort of range rather than "whatever it takes, the best" :)


tamzzy said:
alphacool ut60, or monsta if you have the space
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Considering the monsta. Just looking how much space I can add for them, probably about... (DxLxH)150x520x280mm total on the back for radiator space (PSU going in the last 120x240 space) so huge and low density is probably the way I'm going to go (learnt a lot over the last week or 2 of reading :) ). Pretty sure it'll work out nice, a good bunch of quiet fans, maybe push/pull+low RPM. Seems mid FPI numbers are what I'm likely shooting at.

b0rn2sk8 said:
FPI and rad thickness is a trade off between cooling and noise. The higher the FPI the higher speed you need to run your fans to push air through it, same with thick rads which is why they tend to have a much lower FPI. But high FPI and thick rads have more cooling potential.


But given you have far more 'rad' than you need it's best to go with lower FPI so you can run slower fans and ultimately a quieter system.
Click to expand...

Your post was kinda the one I was replying to while quoting the others, again, useful bits of thought. I'm just at the point where all the collected bits of (fairly obvious once thought about) wisdom are starting to come together in a decent picture.


Seems I may well settle on the monsta's.

Anyone any tweaks they'd make to this as a general final setup:

1x480mm monsta
1x240mm monsta
Heatkiller IV 1080ti waterblock
EK DDC pump (this was a super good deal second hand)
*Probably* a heatkiller AM4 block (have an EK supremacy MX non evo I'm maaaaybe going to get a cheap hold down plate made for).
12x akasa apache 120mm fans on push/pull (AK-FN058).
 
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I've gone through a couple rads now, and I can say this:
1) Magicool/coolgate are dirt cheap but their slim line is decent (after you flush it a couple times !!!)
2) Alphacool UT60/xt45 are nice, build quality is decent, performance wise they are good.
3) black ice gtx are expensive but once you've held them you understand why (i have 560 + 420). These are the only ones that brand new had nothing weird flushed (you should flush any rad before use).

I've read about the EK XE being VERY good as well (for 120mm fan sizes) link to review

P.S. also i'm not 100% sure on your fans. Try finding some reviews out there that look for pressure, since that's what you're interested in

P.S.2 Also you need to fix some cables there, otherwise you're killing the airflow :))
 
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alphacool XT45 , not much difference with UT60 to be honest if your doing push pull and at higher rpm which defeats the point, also raises the costs .
Requires the least static pressure/airflow from the above
 
I had 2x 240mm ut60s in push-pull config cooling an overclocked 3770k and quadfire 7990s. So can definitely recommend them.
With respect to fans, gentle typhoons are regarded as the grand daddy of radiator fans. Else can consider ek vardar (push-pull) or noise locker eloop (push only, makes a weird noise in pull config)
 
tamzzy said:
I had 2x 240mm ut60s in push-pull config cooling an overclocked 3770k and quadfire 7990s. So can definitely recommend them.
With respect to fans, gentle typhoons are regarded as the grand daddy of radiator fans. Else can consider ek vardar (push-pull) or noise locker eloop (push only, makes a weird noise in pull config)
Click to expand...

typhoons... think you can still get them but US only. Silent wing 3's are good but expensive =/
 
EXxx said:
I've gone through a couple rads now, and I can say this:
1) Magicool/coolgate are dirt cheap but their slim line is decent (after you flush it a couple times !!!)
2) Alphacool UT60/xt45 are nice, build quality is decent, performance wise they are good.
3) black ice gtx are expensive but once you've held them you understand why (i have 560 + 420). These are the only ones that brand new had nothing weird flushed (you should flush any rad before use).

I've read about the EK XE being VERY good as well (for 120mm fan sizes) link to review

P.S. also i'm not 100% sure on your fans. Try finding some reviews out there that look for pressure, since that's what you're interested in

P.S.2 Also you need to fix some cables there, otherwise you're killing the airflow :))
Click to expand...


Trying to find a decent balance on the price/performance slope. Basically, good without paying 50% more for the last 5% improvements sort of region on the rads.
Lets try this:
Best <£100 480mm - go :D (i'm aware the monsta are a bit over, same with HWL GTX).

For fans, aware of static pressure and the general eminence of the GT's. The GT's are a good £23-25 each in the UK if you can find them.
The apaches are all decent numbers on paper. Seen in a few places they're generally seen as a good option for radiator fans in the UK where the GT's are a bit more elusive. They are being made again under the darkside brand (still Nidec GT's same old).

Aware of the vardars and the funny bits with the noise blockers (apparently a different model makes for a better pull fan if you must go P-P). I'll see what I can find vardars for. They seem to have a bit of a poor rep for quality over time though.

As for the state of the rig: Yeah, all this was testing that I wasn't being stupid somewhere. For some reason as soon as you move away from mainstream kit everyone looses their minds and assumes it won't work "wood will spontaneously combust!"/etc. It left me enough mild doubt that I built it quick n dirty so I could check it all worked out ok. Quite how 2x200mm into a box with few cavities and 4/6/8x120 pulling the air back out WOULDN'T work, I ain't sure but... I figured a test setup first then refine it. Now refining ;)
It'll eventually be an awful lot of self built custom cabling to every corner with it all neatly tucked away. Might not be a work of art once I'm done but will certainly be tidy.
 
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You are really over thinking this, just buy which ever radiator fits into the case, from a known manufacturer that fits in the budget.

They are all within a few % of each other when you are comparing a similar product.

When you are planning to have this much capacity within the rads it’s actually irrelevant which ones you pick as you are not close to the saturation point.

Same goes for fans, any static pressure optimised fan from EK, Corsair or whoever will be fine. If you want RGB buy them otherwise noctua or vardar will be fine. Push pull is meaningless unless you are right on the edge of capacity which you are not. It just adds expense and noise.

You are so much head room in the set up any marginal gain from a specific configuration is meaningless. When you have so much space your objectives should be noise. Low FPI radiators and low RPM fans.

For me the most important thing after making sure you can cool everything is the having everything look like it matches and it fits in the case. For instance if you go EK for fittings and blocks then get matching EK radiators.
 
As stated above, you are at the saturation point as far as headroom. Go for low noise. I’ve just bought a new rad for my set up (480+360 but bear in mind I live in a hot country!) and mine is still hugely overkill. Yet I can’t hear my system on load which is the reason I did this. I’ve tweaked the fans so that the 360 fans are around 700rpm and the 480 fans don’t spin until 60c on the cpu.
 
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