On a Thermochill 120.3 rad, it the neoprene gasket necessary?

[C'DaleRider]

I bought a new, sealed in the box, Thermochill 120.3 radiator from one of the Atlanta-area Microcenters last night and when I got home, which is a tad over 3 hours away from that store, there was no neoprene gasket inside the box.

So, is the gasket absolutely necessary for the rad? If it is, guess I'll be buying one somewhere.

Returning the radiator is NOT an option considering what was paid for it.....I'd never be able to get a replacement for what I paid for this one.

[Nate P.]

I got one with my PA120.2, but didn't use it. My temps are still pretty good, right around 40C at full load.

[MpG]

Not absolutely necessary, but it probably helps a little. Especially with the PA-series, they've got a larger than average gap between each fan. Coupled with their centimetre of shrouding, and you've technically got an alternate path for the air to flow (instead of through the rad fins).

Instead of the gasket, a good alternative is truck bed cap tape, which is pretty cheap and comes in all sizes. It's also easy to find at both auto parts and hardware/home improvement stores (often just called "foam tape").

[SiGfever]

I bought a new, sealed in the box, Thermochill 120.3 radiator from one of the Atlanta-area Microcenters last night and when I got home, which is a tad over 3 hours away from that store, there was no neoprene gasket inside the box.

So, is the gasket absolutely necessary for the rad? If it is, guess I'll be buying one somewhere.

Returning the radiator is NOT an option considering what was paid for it.....I'd never be able to get a replacement for what I paid for this one.

Looks like someone could not resist the WC Addiction.

[C'DaleRider]

Well, I got out of it for a while, but after trying air cooling with a TRUE and several fan combinations, just couldn't stand the NOISE, so it's back to watercooling and sanity.

Of course, add to that the fact that I found the Thermochill 120.3 radiator marked at $59.99 and a new DDC2 pump clearance priced at $26.19, both at a Microcenter, just couldn't resist any longer.

[SiGfever]

Well, I got out of it for a while, but after trying air cooling with a TRUE and several fan combinations, just couldn't stand the NOISE, so it's back to watercooling and sanity.

Of course, add to that the fact that I found the Thermochill 120.3 radiator marked at $59.99 and a new DDC2 pump clearance priced at $26.19, both at a Microcenter, just couldn't resist any longer.

Damn!

[Nate P.]

Damn!

More like holy !

[Cupcake]

Which microcenter is this ?

I live in roswell GA and I thought all the local ones closed last year ???

[C'DaleRider]

Which microcenter is this ?

I live in roswell GA and I thought all the local ones closed last year ???

You're thinking of the CompUSA stores which closed in ATL last year. Microcenter, both locations, are doing quite well. One is in Duluth on Pleasant Hill Rd., near the original location of Fry's, and the one we got the TC rad from is in Marietta.....on Power's Ferry Rd.

Oh, btw..........




We think what happened is that the Swiftech MCR-320 rads appeared to recently have their prices raised and an employee not paying attention just slapped the "new" price onto whatever 320 radiator was there.....the only Thermochill rad included with the several MCR-320's. Oh well, sometimes you get bitten by the wolf, sometimes you get to bite the wolf instead.

[Xilikon]

Holy pricing there

I didn't use the gasket myself and the temps is still good. However, I will install it when I remount my loop because it seems it will improve performance a bit by removing air gaps. Like others said, just get some padded tape and seal the holes around the fans. The purpose of the gasked is two-fold : vibration insulation and air gaps sealing.

[Sparky]

$59.99

Peel that sticker off, what does the one underneath say?

[C'DaleRider]

I tried...a few times because I was insanely curious and just plain nosey. They're stuck together so well all they're doing is tearing away from the box.....and tearing the box underneath.

[disruptfam]

awwwwhaaaaat!

i would of bought 5!!!!

[Cupcake]

Dude im getting one of those puppies tomorrow (hopefully they still have them)

[C'DaleRider]

Dude im getting one of those puppies tomorrow (hopefully they still have them)

If you mean going to the Microcenter I went to, don't bother. We had them check their stock of them (was going to have them PM this one....well, my wife was, she was the one to find this for me and get it while I was obsessing over some other junk)......this was the last one they had.

[starlon]

You have to be careful with those gaskets. Mine slipped over the edge of the shroud and wedged itself between the fan blade and the shroud. I tossed that gasket...