TFC MONSTA testing complete

[Martinm210]

Thanks, Martin! I'm always looking forward to your test results!

Anyway:
The more numbers we get on the monsta/treibwerk, the less impressive they look, imo. Sure the monsta beats the PA, but a 420 vs 360 rad isn't exactly a fair fight. Even with the built in shroud the $35 (?) triebwerk fans could only perform about as well $5 YL. I really like the idea of 140.x rads, but I think the monsta handles this poorly as far as price/performance/size goes. I also like the idea of fans optimized for radiators, but the numbers speak for themselves as far as triebwerk goes.

Thanks!

You could say the same thing about size difference between any of the slim and double thickness fans also, that it's not fair comparing a slim radiator to a double thickness etc. You could even say it's not fair comparing the 120mm rads that are 120mm wide vs. the ones that are 140mm wide, or the ones with 15mm fan spacing vs larger. Size is a factor, but I think noise and fan power being the same is always a worthy comparison.

My intent was to compare the same exact fan power, number of fans, and corresponding noise.

Price will always be something everyone has to consider for their own budgets. I was fortunate enough not to have to do that, but considering the time I've spent testing (probably 50+ hours on this one alone), I could have easily bought two or three of these had I chosen to work overtime instead of testing. As always, I do the testing because I enjoy learning how stuff works, and frankly can't stand installing something that I don't understand...a sickness of mine if you will...

I've grown bored with the everyday ordinary radiators, there's generally not a whole lot to distinguish some. Sure they all work fine, but so does a $20 bonnie heatercore. Do I really need two 480's and a Monsta to cool my rig. No...but I like it....it's different, and they are all fun for me.

If someone asks me what triple 120mm fan radiator has the best performance/price ratio for 1350RPM fans (Of the rads I've tested), I'd have to say the Swiftech MCR, HWlabs BIP, or XSPC RS series. If someone asks me which triple 120mm fan radiator has the ultimate performance in the 1350RPM range regardless of price, that would be the TFC Monsta. But there's also many good options in between and ones that are optimized for different areas and alot of different options that will fit size and budget needs.