#1 internal watercooling radiator (GTX 480 or PA120.3)?

[echn111]

Looking to upgrade my system soon and will want the best radiator I can fit into a high end case like the TJ07.

I have a number of options. The well known PA120.3. Or the GTX480 (shown below). The PA120.3 is 10mm thicker than the slightly longer GTX480 but both fit into the case without any problems.

I'm neutral about brand names. And I'm aware this may be viewed as an unfair comparison (i.e. there is no PA120.4). However, I just want to know the "best" internal watercooling radiator that fits into a modern high end case. Does anyone have any test results showing which is #1? Alternatively, any views on why one is better than the other?

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t293/masaville/yesitwillfit.jpg

[rbd89]

Its my understanding that both radiators can dissapate the same amount of heat, however the gtx will be a bit more restrictive than the pa.

[serialk11r]

A few members who bought GTX rads were very unhappy with them...

[Eastcoasthandle]

A few members who bought GTX rads were very unhappy with them...

like who??
got any links?

[echn111]

Was hoping someone knows of a test. This is XtremeSystems after all, and I'm assuming people want the best. There seems to have all sorts of tests for everything related to watercooling and some tests aren't even for anything very important.

The radiator is a pretty important component. Surely tests showing which is the best "high end" radiator that can be internally mounted in a PC would be a pretty popular test for people here and must have been performed somewhere?

There aren't that many high end radiators - the PA120.3 and the GTX480, perhaps others (I'm open to suggestions). The only thing I have, other than basic comments, is basic surface area comparisions:
- Thermochill PA120.3: 120mm x 120mm x 3 x 64mm = 2764800
- GTX480: 120mm x 120mm x 4 x 54mm = 3110400
All that tells me is the GTX has the advantage, but that's just one factor (flow as rbd mentioned), and can't replace peoples' real experiences and test results.

Anything out there that can tell me the best internally mounted high end radiator for PC watercooling (medium fan cfm)? Links to reviews welcome.

[serialk11r]

I can't recall all of them right now. You'll just have to wait and hope they see this thread and decide to post about it.

[_G_]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2100208&postcount=6
from this thread
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=138973&highlight=GTX+480

[echn111]

Thanks for all the replies. And that link was useful. According to Radical_53, the BIX480 (aka GTX480) will outperform the PA120.3 only at high CFM's.

So looks like the PA120.3 is the one to get. (At least until the PA140.3 gets made one day)

[Pen3]

i am happy with my gtx480, i use high pressure sanace 120x38mm fans and undervolt them till they are quiet (~1300rpm) and they perform very well. e6600@3.8@1.4v and 8800gtx 700/2200 sli under 50C full load with tat and rthdbl. Fits very well on a V2000 case i mount the rad in the middle blowing cool air up into mobo section to help cool the vregs and memory.

[virtualrain]

There's more testing results between the two here...
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1971170&postcount=22

Part of this thread...
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=131111

[MaxxxRacer]

Personally I would go with the PA.

1. It has lower flow restriction
2. Performance will be similar
3. the Thermochill has excellent build quality and customer support
4. It is an easier fit in the bottom of the TJ-07
5. The GTX is designed for higher flow fans whereas the PA is designed for the low speed yate-loon.

[ANP !!!]

Will those Generic 120x25mm fans do good with the PA120.3 ? They are very quite n might be spinning at 600rpm - 1400rpm

[septim]

depending on what generic brand you mean. those yate loons looks pretty generic to me from an angle.

if you get a sample generic fan, try and put it in a rheobus or fan controller, dial down to lowest voltage, and try and hear if its still quiet or if there's a knocking sound. and try and compare to those fans listed in the air cooling section.