Screwed through my radiator. Afraid it is not usable anymore.

[Levi92]

Hey everbody,

 

I just installed my top radiator (Hardware Labs GTS 360) using the screws that came with the radiator. I had assumed that the screw must go all the way down, but I did not realize that this is not

how it is supposed to be done. As you can see in the pictures, I have installed three screws which go all the way down and have probably destroyed all the fins along the way.

 

Have I destroyed this radiator?

 

Malte

[Uptivuptiz]

As far as I can see in pictures the mounting holes overlap only the finstack and not the part of the rad where water flows. I'd suggest you take it out of your system and leak test it just in case. If no water leaks out you should be fine to use it as is.

[3rrant]

You might have damaged some fins but maybe not even that, considering where the screws are positioned. As Uptivuptiz already suggested, test it for a leak. If it doesn't (and it's unlikely) then you're good to go. Even if you screwed over a few fins, it won't be a big deal in terms of performance.

[Levi92]

Thanks for your replies. I tested the radiator for leaks and I could not see any leaks. Visually, it also looks like screws only ever hit the area (fins) between the metal tubes where the water flows, but not the tubes themselves. So I think it looks good. 

 

I have a total of 860mm in terms of radiator in my case for 1 CPU and GPU, so I guess there should not be a performance implication

 

Thank you guys!

[SolarNova]

Someones been watching the Verge build guide

 

In all seriousness, u'd no if u hit one of the channels, and it would leak rather obviously.

The most u've done is damage the fins in that area, which isnt going to hurt the performance since that area wont be getting much if any airflow anyway.

[Levi92]

1 hour ago, SolarNova said:

Someones been watching the Verge build guide

 

In all seriousness, u'd no if u hit one of the channels, and it would leak rather obviously.

The most u've done is damage the fins in that area, which isnt going to hurt the performance since that area wont be getting much if any airflow anyway.

 

Frankly speaking, the fact that radiators have holes for screws on either side can really mislead you if you don't know it better. 

 

But I guess I had a Vergy-worthy moment.

 

Thanks guys!

[For Science!]

12 minutes ago, Levi92 said:

 

Frankly speaking, the fact that radiators have holes for screws on either side can really mislead you if you don't know it better. 

 

But I guess I had a Vergy-worthy moment.

 

Thanks guys!

What happened? did you use the long screws (that are meant to go through the fans) directly on the radiator?

[Levi92]

5 minutes ago, For Science! said:

What happened? did you use the long screws (that are meant to go through the fans) directly on the radiator?

Yes I did. The long screws went through the fins like butter, which is why it felt "right" when I was doing it.

[For Science!]

1 minute ago, Levi92 said:

Yes I did. The long screws went through the fins like butter, which is why it felt "right" when I was doing it.

oof, i see. Glad it didnt rip the channels. As the others have said, If it ain't leaking then you're fine