XSPC RX360 radiator review

[shazza]

I pulled the trigger today and I also got 4 new 2200rpm 120 x 25mm loons at Jab-Tech for $ 3.30 a peice ( fan speed controlled ). I got the XSPC RX480 at performace-Pc's for $124.95 because Jab-Tech didn't have any in stock . I figured the same thing as you HESmelaugh so thats why I pulled the trigger on the RX480 . I will post back with the difference in my Phenom II X4 940 BE temps compared to the temps I had with my Swiftech MCR320 QP Rad . Thanks you HES

I'll be interested to see if you see any temperature difference between the rads (assume both tested with same fans).

(as an aside, I picked up the Magicool Extreme radiator based on HESmelaugh's reviews ... quite impressed with it)

[pcnazz]

Hi guys , I got the XSPS RX480 today . I installed it using two elbows cause I came up short on tubing that I thought I had but can't seem to find about 3ft that I'm sure is here . I'm not crazy about elbows . Do you guys think my flow will suffer some with two elbow into the rad and out of rad . I'll post back shazza and let you know on my new temps compared to my MCR360 that was on here . I bought 4 2200 rpm 120mm X 25mm loons for this rad . I was using 3 Ultra Kaze 3000 rpm 120mm X 38mm fans and I ran all 3 at 2000 rpm 24/7 . Tell what you think about these elbow please . Thank You ! http://justpurefun.com/forums/viewto...&t=149&start=0

[HESmelaugh]

Concerning the elbows: Don't sweat it. Based on Hondacity's and my own tests, I would estimate the elbows reduce flow by about 4-5% in your system. That's nothing to worry about.

[TopFuel1471]

Clean! Does it fit on a desk or does the 480 sit too low?

Proud owner of a new RX360 here!

Any problems with flushing them?

[jetroho]

@TopFuel
In the past 3 months I have cleaned 8 XSPC rad's . ZERO prob's with any of them being dirty .
I rinse them out with 70% isopropyl alcohol , then two times with hot distilled ..........good to go
j

[pcnazz]

Okay Hes 4c to 5c i can live live . I see no difference really in the return turbulence in my res . WOW ! This thing is huge compared to my MCR320 QP Swiftech ! . I think its going to be around 3c drop at best if that . I will post when I know for sure . This rad will shine when I add 2 4890 full blocks to the loop I would think . I would recommend not going for any 480 Rad . A 360 Rad is the one to buy . My opinion is only based upon cooling just my cpu .

[NaeKuh]

Concerning the elbows: Don't sweat it. Based on Hondacity's and my own tests, I would estimate the elbows reduce flow by about 4-5% in your system. That's nothing to worry about.

per fitting? what is the conversion unit?

if its per fitting, thats horrible. Consider the fact on average u need 2, 4 is convience, and 8 is bling.

:X

Okay Hes 4c to 5c i can live live .

percent... not C... so its actually less... if he's saying total 4-5%, it means it will only increase your overall temp by a very small amount because 4-5% flow is very small.

[pcnazz]

Look at my pic NaeKuh you can see where I use only two elbows . Both elbows are out side the case running to and from the rad . I understand what HESmelaugh meant saying 4c to 5c loss in flow rate and I'm sure he based that response on knowing I have two elbows . I assume you agree with that , yes ? Also if I get a nice spacer for in-between rad and fans I could maybe get rid of both elbows . I like to max everything out and if I can pick up even the smallest gain I'm all for it !

[HESmelaugh]

Ok, to clarify, I meant a 4-5% loss of flow with both elbows in the loop vs. no elbows in the loop.
If I recall correctly, Hondacity measured a loss of 2.1 percentage points per elbow with 1/2" fittings and I measured a loss of 2.8 percentage points per elbow with 8mm ID fittings (so smaller ID in the fitting makes the elbow more restrictive - makes sense). Not knowing what your tubing size is and allowing for some variation between different fitting-types, I guess two elbows would mean something between 4% and 5% less flow on average.

In practice this would mean, for example, 1.5 GPM without the elbows and about 1.43 GPM with two elbows in the loop. This is all theoretical, of course.
All I really mean to say is:

Concerning the elbows: Don't sweat it.

[pcnazz]

Do you like using air boxes or other alternative spacing in between fans and Rad ? I have the 2200 rpm 120mm X 25mm loons on the RX480 now all on an Ultra fan controller . I would be able to get rid of those elbow also with a deep enough spacer . I'm looking into them right now and might go for one . Its funny these new loons I got look lost on this Rad . I should of just got one more Ultra Kaze 120mm X 38mm to go with the matching 3 I had on the MCR320 QP Rad .

[pcnazz]

I change the mount position of the new XSPC RX480 . I did not like using two 1/2in elbows in the loop . For me if there is a 4% to 5% for example loss in cooling performance I need to correct it . I figure if there is something that can be gained its just a no brainer for me . I changed my head mounting it this way now but my 655 should have no trouble with it . The old way looked better but efficiency is # 1 . Any thoughts on this ? http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...X480Mod005.jpg

[Capt Proton]

Looks fine. What's your issue with how it looks? Getting rid of elbows = Good News.

[pcnazz]

Hi Capt Proton , Yes for sure about getting rid of those elbow . First time I ever using them and I lasted maybe 3 days with them . I just got this Rad and I had it hooked up this way at first . http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...ad4001-2-1.jpg On the outside of case I used two elbows to make the route in and out of Rad . It bothered be doing it this way cause I was restricting my flow rate . Now I have a much more direct and free flowing loop this new way I mounted it http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...0Mod2005-1.jpg . But no I don't care really about the looks I just think it looks better even with the top of my case rather than rising above the case . Which way does it look better mounted to you ?

[Mech0z]

Hi Capt Proton , Yes for sure about getting rid of those elbow . First time I ever using them and I lasted maybe 3 days with them . I just got this Rad and I had it hooked up this way at first . http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...ad4001-2-1.jpg On the outside of case I used two elbows to make the route in and out of Rad . It bothered be doing it this way cause I was restricting my flow rate . Now I have a much more direct and free flowing loop this new way I mounted it http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...0Mod2005-1.jpg . But no I don't care really about the looks I just think it looks better even with the top of my case rather than rising above the case . Which way does it look better mounted to you ?

I like the one with albows the most, but ofc its not as good flow, but not having the rad sticking up ontop of the case is a bonus imo

[pcnazz]

I agree MechOz . It looked really odd to me at first rising above my case . Im getting a little more used to it . I feel very relaxed with the routing of the tubing now and no elbows ! I think the Rad is just to big . I would recommend going with HESmelaugh and his XSPC RX360 instead . My temps are the same now as they were with my Swiftech MCR320 QP Rad ( using 4 high speed loons @ 2000 rpm on RX480 ) ( MCR320 QP was using Ultra Kaze 3000 @ 2000 rpm ) . I have a Phenom II X4 940 BE @ 1.5v @ 3.9 MHz . Theirs only so much an extreme Rad can do when its cooling 1 block . I think that lowest temp is reached on a 360 Rad cooling 1 wb . I have 2 GPU 4890 full blocks coming soon . This RX480 should pay its way then . I hope !

[pcnazz]

I Put the 4 Ultra kaze 120mm X 38mm 3000rpm on the XSPC RX480 and removed the 120mm X 25mm 2200rpm loons . I ran the kaze at the same rpm as the loons and I am seeing 3c cooler temps than the Swiftech MCR320 QP Rad that had these same kaze fans . I'm curious to see how both Rads do with the 2 4890 wb's added to this loop . The Swiftech MCR320 QP is a huge Bang for your buck for sure . I will let you know how they compare with 2 4890 blocks added to loop . That MCR320 I have will go inside up top of my antec 1200 and will be used to cool my new mother board .

[Garrett]

well pcnazz... you'd better not run those Kaze fans @ full speed... I have 2 of them just for testing purposes and they drive me crazy lol

[pcnazz]

That is for sure Garrett . I run all four at 1950 rpm . They are quiet and effective at 2000 rpm and under . I'll put up a new pic of my rig with them . The 38mm depth is what helps the cooling of the rad . Also it put me a little more away from the back of my case to better align the tubes in and out of the rad .