Which radiator

[Protomesh]

Not sure which is better

 

Aqua Computer's Airplex Radical (73mm thickness) 

 

Alphacool Monsta (80mm thickness)

 

Of course thickness isn't the only factor but these are the two thickest radiators I have managed to find.

 

Aqua Computer's rad seems to have a higher fin density (going off of pictures alone) but the value isn't listed anyway so I am unable to confirm that fact.

 

And even if it does have a higher fin density, I'm still not sure which would be better.

 

Anyone who has owned both and tested both?

[filpo]

On 3/7/2023 at 10:36 PM, Protomesh said:

Not sure which is better

 

Aqua Computer's Airplex Radical (73mm thickness) 

 

Alphacool Monsta (80mm thickness)

 

Of course thickness isn't the only factor but these are the two thickest radiators I have managed to find.

 

Aqua Computer's rad seems to have a higher fin density (going off of pictures alone) but the value isn't listed anyway so I am unable to confirm that fact.

 

And even if it does have a higher fin density, I'm still not sure which would be better.

 

Anyone who has owned both and tested both?

It depends if your case allows a thicker variant because if so I think that would be the better option.

Also how big will this radiator be?

[Protomesh]

2 hours ago, filpo said:

It depends if your case allows a thicker variant because if so I think that would be the better option.

Also how big will this radiator be?

Well my options are to mount 2x 360mm radiators that are very thick

 

Or I can mount a 480mm and a 360mm radiator that are regular thickness (30mm)

 

Both would be in push/pull.

 

I assume the 2x 360 rads would be better than 1x 480 + 1x 360 because the 2x 360 are more than double the thickness, but maybe I'm wrong.

[ApolloX75]

Thickness doesn't always equate to better temps, but if you're using push/pull it will make a bigger difference than usual. I've run more than several different configurations over the last few months with thick and thin rads with varying degrees (ha) of success.  

 

Having 120mm of extra rad space will make more of a difference than a thicker rad in most cases but this also depends on your case and airflow setup. A single 360 rad in a 5000D Airflow for instance will outperform a 360 and 240 in a cramped, poorly flowing Carbide case for instance. Thick rads are usually diminishing returns the thicker they get.

 

In the end though, you will always be limited by how good your water block is and how effective it is at wicking the heat away, no matter how many rads you have. That is the biggest lesson I have learned lately with all my experimentation. Seems like a simple lesson, but it's a good one.

[filpo]

2 hours ago, Protomesh said:

Well my options are to mount 2x 360mm radiators that are very thick

 

Or I can mount a 480mm and a 360mm radiator that are regular thickness (30mm)

 

Both would be in push/pull.

 

I assume the 2x 360 rads would be better than 1x 480 + 1x 360 because the 2x 360 are more than double the thickness, but maybe I'm wrong.

A thicker rad will probably be better then. I say go with the two thick bois