Thermochill PA140.X (For use with 140mm Fans) Voice Your Opinion!

[Sideroxylon]

Considering the PA series was designed for low CFM fans I would think that they would beat the GTX per frontal surface area, no?

Agreed. No arguments here. I just need a substantial improvement before I switch. I anticipate (and hope) the PA140 series will be the one to make me switch.

[Sparky]

Width in my case isn't a problem, just length could be an issue. But if the fans were scrunched together more - like right next to each other - instead of the wider space like on the PA120.3 it would keep length down but still have the benefit of more surface area and airflow from the 140mm fans.

[cyberspyder]

WHAT?!?! Where did you get this news?

[Cupcake]

Id but one for sure but Id have to drill out some extra holes

[ziddey]

120 140 160
1 14400 19600 25600
2 28800 39200 51200
3 43200 58800 76800
4 57600 78400 102400
5 72000 98000 128000
6 86400 117600 153600


looks like 3x140 > 4x120

2x 160 > 3x120

kind of makes me want to just get dual 160's. not to be insulting to thermochill or anything, but it's a shame the other companies don't come out with >120 rad's

from the sounds of things, a 2x140 tc would beat a mcr320 pretty decently

[Cathar]

Okay, to repeat selected information that I posted in this thread, which details physical size and performance.

PA140 History

Marci and I both realised that the PA160, in the flesh, was a fairly large radiator. This was in part due to Thermochill's use of their hi-flow end-tanks, and so didn't quite fit into as many cases as was hoped for, and so the PA140 concept was born. Time-wise, we're talking around 22 months ago now.

Since the PA140 was specced much later than the PA160, and also had the benefit of having data from the first round of PA120.x design & test sequences to draw from. It was also designed to perform better at the lower ends of the fan speed ranges (<60cfm), rather than the 50-80cfm of the PA160's original design. This was settled in after much research with actual fans searching for acceptably quiet physically existing fans, and not just trusting manufacturer specs. In a nutshell, if a fan is specced for >60cfm, it's gonna be noisy when run at full speed, and also fairly noisy even at lower speeds due to the beefier motor bearings. No ifs, buts, or anything else. Reality is what it is.

Performance of the first PA140 prototype

The PA140 performs very well. It is only a first-stab prototype, and further performance was eked out of the PA120 design after the first PA140 prototype was specced, so the PA140 prototype may not be as highly performing as it could possibly be, but it'd be pretty close. Might be another 5&#37; to gain, with an upper stretch possibility of a further 10%, but not likely. In my testing it actually outperformed the PA160 by around 5% with low speed fans (~25cfm), level pegs with the PA160 at ~50cfm, and loses to the PA160 by around 10% with 100cfm fans. Given that it cedes a 30% facial surface area loss to the PA160, that is a fairly monumental achievement, and highlights the advances we made together with the PA120 design.

If you love using very low speed fans, and can still fit a single slightly over-sized 120mm fan based radiator in-case, the PA140 prototype is the best single slower-speed fan radiator I've tested. For stronger & noisier fans, stick with the PA160. Coupled with a slow & quiet 140mm fan, which was Marci's and my final design intention, the PA140 would make for an extremely compelling compact format single-fan low-noise radiator solution that would fit into far more cases than the PA160.

Physical Size

The PA140 prototype's external dimensions are 145mm wide x 185mm long x 50mm deep (without shroud).

A 5.25" Drive Bay slot is 147mm wide.

A PA140, would therefore fit, just, within a 5.25" drive bay.

[phelan1777]

is there potential for a 140.2/3?

[ziddey]

Physical Size

The PA140 prototype's external dimensions are 145mm wide x 185mm long x 50mm deep (without shroud).

A 5.25" Drive Bay slot is 147mm wide.

A PA140, would therefore fit, just, within a 5.25" drive bay.

beautiful

[CedricFP]

I would love this and for sure would pick one up. I could use a single one to replace my MCR220.

[_G_]

I want one

[Nanometer]

The market just isn't big enough to justify making a 140mm based radiator series. Start the production if you like, but purchases will be a fraction of that of the 120mm series. The reason is simple. The amount of 120mm fans compared to 140mm fans is just staggering. You can probably name every 140mm fan model, and I doubt it would brake 10. The cases currently in design and in production have a vast majority of 120mm fans. We are starting to see more and more 140mm based cases, which is a good thing. But once again, there are only a handful of computer cases with integrated 140mm fans. Many, and possibly most people here are willing to mod their cases to accommodate the new form factor radiator, but the truth of the matter is-- most of the people in the market are not willing to. I think the production of a 140mm form factor would be an excellent idea, but the market isn't ready just yet. With so much lack of compatible materials I just don't see it worth while. Perhaps in a year when more cases are 140mm fan based(which they will be) the market will be different. But for now, my answer is no, and I would not buy it.

[ziddey]

Most people do mod cases to support a rad. The most popular is having standoffs and mounting the rad up top and above the case. Then is the radbox style, which is easily doable with something similar.

[jmilcher]

fitting a PA 120.3 is a pain in the ass in some cases already. A PA 120.3 performs like a monster with low cfm too. I dont think people need this rad...only for bragging rights. i guess it just depends on how much of a performace gain there will be switching from a pa 120.3 to a pa 140.x

10 char, its a pain to mount but it cool well.

I think its more then bragging rights, although bragging rights are always good.

[Polizei]

I was thinking about getting a PA 120.3 when I finally went to water so I wouldnt have to buy another rad for a loooong time. If I can get away with a 140.2 (assuming one will exist), it will make it easier (I think) for me to get it internal... maybe on the bottom of my Tsunami if I put some casters on it.

[thunderstruck!]

I would definitely get one.

[p8ntslinger676]

I would easily buy a 140.3 in a heartbeat

[teko]

AFIK most case's are around 200mm wide, thus making it perfect, as it utilizes more of width of the case. I would love it, but not in a single fan size. The primary problem for me, would be to get 140mm fans, but for a start that could be dealt with by using shrouds for 120mm fans, so I would love a 2*140mm rad

[qwerty69]

Can't wait.. It will really fit my case!

[Ramaistro]

It's a great idea but i wouldn't buy it because:

It is allready a pain in the *** to mount a 120.3 in many cases, so even bigger I wouldn't dare to start with it.

[MaxxxRacer]

for reference the PA120.1 is 167mm long (not including bleed screw) which is only 18mm shorter than the PA140.1

Therefore if thermochill were to use a tighter fan arrangement the lenght of a PA140.3 shouldnt be much longer than a PA120.3 Hopefully only 5cm longer.

[nealh]

Okay, to repeat selected information that I posted in this thread, which details physical size and performance.

PA140 History

Marci and I both realised that the PA160, in the flesh, was a fairly large radiator. This was in part due to Thermochill's use of their hi-flow end-tanks, and so didn't quite fit into as many cases as was hoped for, and so the PA140 concept was born. Time-wise, we're talking around 22 months ago now.

Since the PA140 was specced much later than the PA160, and also had the benefit of having data from the first round of PA120.x design & test sequences to draw from. It was also designed to perform better at the lower ends of the fan speed ranges (<60cfm), rather than the 50-80cfm of the PA160's original design. This was settled in after much research with actual fans searching for acceptably quiet physically existing fans, and not just trusting manufacturer specs. In a nutshell, if a fan is specced for >60cfm, it's gonna be noisy when run at full speed, and also fairly noisy even at lower speeds due to the beefier motor bearings. No ifs, buts, or anything else. Reality is what it is.

Performance of the first PA140 prototype

The PA140 performs very well. It is only a first-stab prototype, and further performance was eked out of the PA120 design after the first PA140 prototype was specced, so the PA140 prototype may not be as highly performing as it could possibly be, but it'd be pretty close. Might be another 5% to gain, with an upper stretch possibility of a further 10%, but not likely. In my testing it actually outperformed the PA160 by around 5% with low speed fans (~25cfm), level pegs with the PA160 at ~50cfm, and loses to the PA160 by around 10% with 100cfm fans. Given that it cedes a 30% facial surface area loss to the PA160, that is a fairly monumental achievement, and highlights the advances we made together with the PA120 design.

If you love using very low speed fans, and can still fit a single slightly over-sized 120mm fan based radiator in-case, the PA140 prototype is the best single slower-speed fan radiator I've tested. For stronger & noisier fans, stick with the PA160. Coupled with a slow & quiet 140mm fan, which was Marci's and my final design intention, the PA140 would make for an extremely compelling compact format single-fan low-noise radiator solution that would fit into far more cases than the PA160.

Physical Size

The PA140 prototype's external dimensions are 145mm wide x 185mm long x 50mm deep (without shroud).

A 5.25" Drive Bay slot is 147mm wide.

A PA140, would therefore fit, just, within a 5.25" drive bay.

Wow...that means in a P180 internal placement of PA140.1 will basically be easier than my PA160 and perform as well with my undervolted Panaflo L1A@7v or with a nice 140mm YL fan probably better becasue as I recall it has a high cfm (although the lower static pressure may equalize this)...
my PA160 cools the items in my sig fine..so the PA140 will be nearly as good and probably better

wow makes me want to get a cheap P180 and mod it for a PA140.1

[nealh]

It's a great idea but i wouldn't buy it because:

It is allready a pain in the *** to mount a 120.3 in many cases, so even bigger I wouldn't dare to start with it.

but a PA140.2 will perform very well fbased on expectation...probably not far off from PA120.3 and better than almost all other 120.3 based on the fact PA120.2 did...you will get less fans and more airflow and it will be quieter

PA140.2 depending on overall size could be an awesome rad.....

Now if Petra could stock it and few 140mm YL fans

[XProfessionalX]

It would be difficult to fit into some cases as 120.3 rad is already a problem .. good idea but dont seems to be practical to me IMO .

[drak3]

There are plans for PA140.2/3 ?

I would buy such rad so I can run 140mm fans slower then 120mm

[ANP !!!]

Well i would happily buy a PA140.2 for my next WC upgrade