Best 120mm Rad?

[NoobCake]

Hey all,

Im looking for the best 120mm rad just to cool the CPU, maybe a e8500,e8400 or e7200, at mild overclocks, nothing special.

I don't care about noise, but nothing like a delta please :rofl:

What i have thought so far: ( Running 2 fans also, push/pull configuration, fans will be 120mm Scythe SFF21F S-FLEX )

- HW Labs Black Ice Xtreme 120mm Radiator
http://www.petrastechshop.com/dadenblicext.html

- Swiftech MCR-120 "Quiet Power" Series Radiator
http://www.petrastechshop.com/swmcqposerab2.html

- HW Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 120
http://www.petrastechshop.com/hwlablicegts2.html

- HW Labs Black Ice GTX120
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hwlablicegtb2.html

So which one am i supposed to be getting?

:up:

[Nickel020]

Usually the thermochill or Feser Rads are considered the best, and those are the ones I'd get if you qnat to undervolt the fans sometimes. If you really don't care about noise though, go with the Black Ice Xtreme, it's designed for high fan speeds of 1500 rpm and will beat the Thermochill and Feser at 1600 rpm (but kinda sucks at 1000RPM or less).

I'da lso consider going with something bigger, a 120mm is a bare minimum and will not net you much better temps than you would get with very good air cooling.

[NoobCake]

Yeah TC and Fes are just too expensive though...

Im pretty sure a single rad should handle a dual core with a ek supreme + DDC 3.1 xspc res top? Push pull config?

But yeah more suggestions please

[Arni]

swiftech :)

[SoulsCollective]

+1 for MCR series.

[septim]

upcoming or out now on some sellers: RS120, suppose to be a good competition for the MCR120 with regards to flow restriction, and is also good with medium speed fans.

(But to sell nicely, some more thermal testing required. i think Martin has one to test out?)

[NoobCake]

Ohh yeah, forgot about the XSPC rads also..

They seem to be better then MCR atm ey..

Damn so many choices

[RockfordFosgate]

Guys PA120.1 better than MCR ??

[SoulsCollective]

Guys PA120.1 better than MCR ??
Yeah TC and Fes are just too expensive though...
Do at least read the first few posts before replying.

[NoobCake]

lol.... cmon guys give me some more opinions :)

[IanY]

I'll tell you now. A PA120.1 will take a MCR120 to the backyard and b1tch slap it around. There is absolutely no contest. And I own both, and the MCR120 that I have is the new model that I use with 1/2" barbs. If anything, the PA120.1 is almost as good as a MCR220, which I also have.

[RockfordFosgate]

Iany thanks for your reply;)

[Nate P.]

Maybe the newer XSPC rads?

[CedricFP]

You're not looking at much temp difference across rads with a 1x120. Rad size will be your limiting factor here, not rad brand. Maybe a 1-3c difference depending on fans used and brand used between the different rads - not enough to impact an overclock.

So if you want my opinion, just buy which ever you like best.

MCR120 has 3/8 barbs only, which is a pain. An adapter can be used.

If you want my opinion;

Powerful fans:

BIX 120 --> GTX120 --> MCR120

Less than poweful fans:

MCR120 (w/ adapter to 1/2 barbs) --> BIX 120 --> GTX120

Stay away from the stealth.

[IanY]

MCR120 has 3/8 barbs only, which is a pain. An adapter can be used.


Cedric,

For eight months now, MCR120s have come with G-1/4 openings with the ability to use any G-1/4 barbs. The fixed 3/8" barbs are old stock.

[CedricFP]

Cedric,

For eight months now, MCR120s have come with G-1/4 openings with the ability to use any G-1/4 barbs. The fixed 3/8" barbs are old stock.
Hmm, apparently I've not kept in touch.

[generics_user]

actually with medium fans the BIGTX shoul bd the most powerful, there was a triple rad review by a german site and with 1200+rpm fans the gtx 360 outperformed the pa 120.1, as sound isn'T a big concern the gtx120 has to be the most poewerful rad for medium-high setup, especially with push-pull configs which should be more than enough to fight the resistance and give the GTX enough airflow to beat the other rads with its surface area...

for medium - high fans i vote for a GTX with push-pull, with low speed fans mcr120 or pa120.1 / feser :up:

BTW restriction should be no concern with a single block loop :yepp:

[NoobCake]

@ Iany, I just don't like thermochill because of their threading, its G3/8 and i want to use compression barbs. Feser is just out of price range just a friggin single rad.

Also by you saying almost beating the MCR220, were you using push pull config? If not do you think the PA120.1 will beat the MCR220 with push pull?

@ CedricFP, thanks man, as for your opinion, by powerful fans, how much RPM are we thinking here? as i said, i was intending on using those S-FLEX's 1600 RPM's push pull.

THANKS GUYS! :)

[IanY]

@ Iany, I just don't like thermochill because of their threading, its G3/8 and i want to use compression barbs. Feser is just out of price range just a friggin single rad.

Also by you saying almost beating the MCR220, were you using push pull config? If not do you think the PA120.1 will beat the MCR220 with push pull?

@ CedricFP, thanks man, as for your opinion, by powerful fans, how much RPM are we thinking here? as i said, i was intending on using those S-FLEX's 1600 RPM's push pull.

THANKS GUYS! :)

If you do not like G-3/8, then yes you shouldeither avoid Thermochill, or you'll have to buy a G-3/8 to G-1/4 adapter. The radiators are expensive, especially the PA120.1, which isn't very much cheaper than a PA120.3.

The MCR120QP is cheap, and is fabulous for the price. Just be aware that it is what it is, and the PA120.1 is that much better.

The PA120.1 will not beat a MCR220. I said that it can come close. Obviously, the slower the fans, the closer the PA120.1 comes to the MCR220. Using fast fans, or push/pull medium fans, the MCR220 takes off.

In fact, if you are willing to use a high speed fan, like a Delta, then a MCR120 may very well be the equal of a pA120.1, but then you will have a noisy system. A lot depends on the heat load into the radiator.

I have a taste for medium-speed to low-medium speed fans. In that range of fan speed, with that level of noise (perhaps about 28dB to 32 dB), then the PA120.1 shows off its colors. However, don't be mistakened. Even the PA120.1 can get saturated if you are pumping 300 watts of heat into it.

[NoobCake]

Thanks Iany!!!! :)

Yeah i guess thermochill and Feser are definitely out of my range...

Ok so the MCR220 will beat the PA all round, but can you please recommend me the best rad that will perform under 2x Scythe S-FLEX 1600 RPM's? push pull.

[CedricFP]

If you do not like G-3/8, then yes you shouldeither avoid Thermochill, or you'll have to buy a G-3/8 to G-1/4 adapter. The radiators are expensive, especially the PA120.1, which isn't very much cheaper than a PA120.3.

The MCR120QP is cheap, and is fabulous for the price. Just be aware that it is what it is, and the PA120.1 is that much better.

The PA120.1 will not beat a MCR220. I said that it can come close. Obviously, the slower the fans, the closer the PA120.1 comes to the MCR220. Using fast fans, or push/pull medium fans, the MCR220 takes off.

In fact, if you are willing to use a high speed fan, like a Delta, then a MCR120 may very well be the equal of a pA120.1, but then you will have a noisy system. A lot depends on the heat load into the radiator.

I have a taste for medium-speed to low-medium speed fans. In that range of fan speed, with that level of noise (perhaps about 28dB to 32 dB), then the PA120.1 shows off its colors. However, don't be mistakened. Even the PA120.1 can get saturated if you are pumping 300 watts of heat into it.
MCR120 / GTX120. In that order.

[NoobCake]

MCR120 / GTX120. In that order.

I don't understand?

you quoted IanY and said MCR120/GTX120?

or do you mean which one is best for my s-flex fans?

[IanY]

With 1600 rpm Scythes, you better use the MCR120 and not the GTX.

[NoobCake]

With 1600 rpm Scythes, you better use the MCR120 and not the GTX.

so you recommend the MCR IanY?

None of the HW labs stuff?

[IanY]

Sorry. No comments on the Hardware Labs. Never owned one before, so no real world experience. I rather not give you anectodal info, even though I have heard more than enough about the GTX. Stay away from the Stealth at all costs: its slim and therefore the cooling is quite dismal.

The only ones I have are from Swiftech, CoolingWorks (they are better than Swiftech, but harder to find) and Thermochill.

[WhiteFireDragon]

when it comes down to the BlackIce Xtreme or BlackIce GTX, which one has denser fins and performs better with a high speed fans?

[CedricFP]

I don't understand?

you quoted IanY and said MCR120/GTX120?

or do you mean which one is best for my s-flex fans?
I meant to quote you.

But that is fairly obvious.

[Martinm210]

when it comes down to the BlackIce Xtreme or BlackIce GTX, which one has denser fins and performs better with a high speed fans?

The GTX is stronger, it has thinner tubes which has better heat transfer at the cost of more water restriction.

The BIX has the more typical larger tubes which is lower restriction, but not as thermally efficient.

[Serpentarius]

+1 MCR (for ppl who values cost and effectiveness)
work same with PA, same temps, just 1/2 the thickness and 1/2 the price


- 1 black ice, costly and sounds nice .. still performs the same (for ppl who prefers the catchy black ice name)

[NoobCake]

Martin!!!

What do you recommend with the S-FLEX 1600 RPM fans??

:)

[madmaxx]

have you thought about a modded H/C?

[Serpentarius]

have you thought about a modded H/C?

that used to be good ... but nowadays after much collection of info, testing, and prototypes ... premod rads selling performs much better
plus heater cores is not inclusive the frames .. which is challenging to place fans

[septim]

undervolted sflex-f 1600rpm fans should be good...

[madmaxx]

that used to be good ... but nowadays after much collection of info, testing, and prototypes ... premod rads selling performs much better
plus heater cores is not inclusive the frames .. which is challenging to place fans

really?

i have one in use with shroud's (coolingworks) and i must say it works VERY well, ATM i'm running it with a single panaflo med in pull. i was running it with two high speed sunon's in push/pull but then i added an mcr220 and got me some nicer panaflo fans.

works great for me :shrug:

[b@llz0r]

I see your an Aussi NoobCake

PCCaseGear has the Black Ice GTX on their clearance list at 55$ GOGOGO!!!!!
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=315

[Martinm210]

What I'm seeing regarding the thicker radiators is a much larger performance spread between low pressure/cfm and high pressure/cfm fans, but overall I'm still seeing around 25% better performance from the thicker radiators than the thinner counterparts if they have similar fin designs. It gets much more complex when that changes.

I've only tested a few at this point, but I still like the thicker rads.

This french article had the BIP and MCR pretty much equal with nexus fans at 1100RPM but slightly ahead of the BIX.
http://www.cooling-masters.com/images/articles/gts240/images/g3en.png
But once using thicker 38mm panaflos at 1200RPM the BIX,BIP,GTS were pretty much all equal.

Then the Panaflos at 2000RPM actually had the the GTS out in front which I have to think is due to it's thinner tube design actually taking it ahead of the BIX.

With this I would guess somwhere in the 1300-1400RPM range the thicker BIX and GTX will start showing their strength, and I think the GTX will always slightly outperform the BIX.

But for low cost and 1600RPM fans, I would still guess the BIX will slightly outperform the MCR/BIP series.

I would get the GTX if money is no object, or the BIX if you were on a typical budget, they are probably all very close in the 1200-1300RPM range with the exception of the PA160 which is more along the lines of double radiator in frontal surface area.

I also think the heatercores are much better performers than people give them credit. After all they have been perfected by the automotive industry for a very long time, the only trouble is the need to build a shroud to really make use of the area.

[madmaxx]

I also think the heatercores are much better performers than people give them credit. After all they have been perfected by the automotive industry for a very long time, the only trouble is the need to build a shroud to really make use of the area.

there used to be a company called coolingworks that made THE best shrouds for single H/C's, i don't know what happened to them but i have two of their shrouds :D there were also these but i found they didn't work as well

[NoobCake]

Hey Martin, and thanks for your reply.

So your saying you would get this http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=315

if i was on a budget

and the GTX http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hwlablicegtb2.html

if i could extend the budget?

But my main question is... which one in your honest opinion think will perform better under 2 x Scythe S-FLEX 1600 RPM's?

Thanks

[b@llz0r]

I see your an Aussi NoobCake

PCCaseGear has the Black Ice GTX on their clearance list at 55$ GOGOGO!!!!!
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=315

Sry dude... i thought that was the GTX :hump:

[NoobCake]

Sry dude... i thought that was the GTX :hump:

lol np..

BIX is still good though ey>?

[K3nii]

that BIX from PCCG is the old one the barbs are soldered on

[NoobCake]

that BIX from PCCG is the old one the barbs are soldered on

nah man, i emailed PCCG and they said it has thread G1/4"...

so its all good :up:

[NoobCake]

So guys, should i get the BIX then?

[NoobCake]

Should i get BIX or the GTX?

I emailed Petra, they said they may be getting the GTX in for me in a week or so.. :)

But they also sell the BIX...

[b@llz0r]

where in Australia are you mate?

Ive got a 120mm Alphacool NexXxos Extreme you could have for $50

[NoobCake]

where in Australia are you mate?

Ive got a 120mm Alphacool NexXxos Extreme you could have for $50

im in melb..

And i would rather buy my stuff brand new.. sorry..

:up:

[septim]

gtx480 with sflex-G...

[Martinm210]

Hey Martin, and thanks for your reply.

So your saying you would get this http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=315

if i was on a budget

and the GTX http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/hwlablicegtb2.html

if i could extend the budget?

But my main question is... which one in your honest opinion think will perform better under 2 x Scythe S-FLEX 1600 RPM's?

Thanks

I havn't tried a BIX myself, but I would have to think the GTX is better by some margin. This test (http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.effizienzgurus.de%2Fm ain%2Findex.php%3Fcontent%3Darticle%26action%3Dvie w_spec_article%26article_id%3D222&hl=ro&ie=UTF8&sl=de&tl=en)ran the GTX against a GTX lite which I think is probably fairly similar to a BIX and the GTX did perform better. Also if the GTS does better than a BIX with high speed fans, the GTX surely will.

1600RPMs just sort of sits in the medium speed area. Not sure how much pressure the SFlexs produce, but higher pressure is what'll get you the most performance. I think the GTX and having two fans on there should really help performance, maybe experiment with push/pull and pull/pull alternatives along with a shroud?

What sort of heat load are you putting on it?

[NoobCake]

I havn't tried a BIX myself, but I would have to think the GTX is better by some margin. This test (http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.effizienzgurus.de%2Fm ain%2Findex.php%3Fcontent%3Darticle%26action%3Dvie w_spec_article%26article_id%3D222&hl=ro&ie=UTF8&sl=de&tl=en)ran the GTX against a GTX lite which I think is probably fairly similar to a BIX and the GTX did perform better. Also if the GTS does better than a BIX with high speed fans, the GTX surely will.

1600RPMs just sort of sits in the medium speed area. Not sure how much pressure the SFlexs produce, but higher pressure is what'll get you the most performance. I think the GTX and having two fans on there should really help performance, maybe experiment with push/pull and pull/pull alternatives along with a shroud?

What sort of heat load are you putting on it?

Ohh ok thanks, I guess the GTX is the way to go then, ill just wait for Quoc to get them in..

Hmmm, by heatload do you mean what im cooling and how much im gonna OC?

Im likely to just get a a e7200 or something along those lines and OC a fair bit.. not much but a mild OC.

:up:

[septim]

Australian summer heat ambients along with OCed Quad Core if i remember right...

[Anti`]

Ive just ordered a xspc 120 rad to cool a E6600 and a g92 8800gts. Lets see if it can handle it before the water boils :p

[Martinm210]

Ohh ok thanks, I guess the GTX is the way to go then, ill just wait for Quoc to get them in..

Hmmm, by heatload do you mean what im cooling and how much im gonna OC?

Im likely to just get a a e7200 or something along those lines and OC a fair bit.. not much but a mild OC.

:up:

I mean how many watts of heat, you can use this tool as a means to get a conservative estimate.

http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

With that processor and a mild 3.0Ghz overclock, you're probably not even going to break 100 watts, so you'll probably do fine without using overly loud fans.

The ambient will of coarse be what you're cooling with. Hard to do much with that other than paying for A/C...

[NoobCake]

I mean how many watts of heat, you can use this tool as a means to get a conservative estimate.

http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

With that processor and a mild 3.0Ghz overclock, you're probably not even going to break 100 watts, so you'll probably do fine without using overly loud fans.

The ambient will of coarse be what you're cooling with. Hard to do much with that other than paying for A/C...

ohh yeah, thanks for that.

Even with the e8400 clocked to 3.8 its still estimated under 100 watts...

Yeah its winter atm, freezing cold...

So GTX would be the best CURRENTLY? just to confirm, except PA series and feser

[Martinm210]

ohh yeah, thanks for that.

Even with the e8400 clocked to 3.8 its still estimated under 100 watts...

Yeah its winter atm, freezing cold...

So GTX would be the best CURRENTLY? just to confirm, except PA series and feser

Are you looking at the PA160 as well? The larger frontal surface area of that one may put it out in the lead. It's really closer to double radiator in size.

The fin density thing is just going to make the dense fins more efficient with the higher speed fans, and the more open types more efficient with slow speed fans, but size makes more of a difference than the fin type.

But if it has to be a 120mm standard size, I would go with a stronger fan and a dense finned radiator for the most performance and the GTX is really good with that.:up: