A question about Rads

[Parsious]

Ok im about to start on a new build and along with it my first steps into the world of liquid cooling. I have done a fair but of reading about this and I have most of it sorted out. But the reading / watching of youtube has so far left me with one question unanswered about rads.

 

Is one manufacturer better than another ?

 

i know size matters both in length and thickness and the whole FPI is not much of a shock to someone with a physics degree (all be it largely unused in the past 10 years), I know about the need for anti corrosive and biocide additives, but what I haven't seen an answer to is the question does the manufacturer matter in any discernible way?

 

I will assume that there may well be quality issues with some cheep knockoff, and while im not planning to buy the most expensiove stuff in some misguided idea that its the best because it costs more, likewise I'm not planning to buy cheep gear. but is there any real difference between say EK, Alphacool and Thermaltake or is it mainly aesthetic? 

 

Further than that is there any manufacturer that someone has had really good or bad experiences with?

 

Cheers

[Oshino Shinobu]

The well known manufacturers are all pretty good, though some are generally considered to be better quality than others. 

 

Alphacool is considered to be one of the best. Hardware labs is also very good, and EKWB has been putting out some really good ones recently. XSPC is one of the more value options, but are still reliable. Basically, go for a known brand and you'll generally get something that won't spring leaks (at least, within its warranty period). 

 

When you're comparing the good brands like EKWB, Alphacool and Hardware Labs, it's mostly about looks and the sizing rather than quality. All of them are very reliable. 

 

I personally use multiple EKWB PE series rads (my entire loop is EK parts, partly because I like the company and partly to keep things consistent). I've been running them for over two years with no issues at all. I have had my pump nearly fail recently (it's on its last legs), but that's likely due to a lightning storm that look out the PSU in my NAS and some other things, and the pump is Laing really, just the top and cover are EKWB. 

 

EDIT: From just holding them, I'd be tempted to recommend Alphacool's radiators as they feel like they're built extremely well with good materials. I've never actually used them in a loop myself though. 

[NoRomanBatmansAllowed]

Those 3 manufacturers all have pretty good reputations, however the community usually  thinks EK has the best (idk why, maybe they sponsor lots of youtube vids?). 

 

For all the rest of them, you should look up reviews for each specific model. Some fail more often than others, pretty run-of-the-mil stuff.

 

But I would recommend sticking to 1 manufacturer, and preferably released around the same time frame. That way can almost write off incompatibilities.

[Ninja_Commander]

I use Hardware Labs rads in my pc since I typically see EK stuff everywhere and its boring. SO I went with them, Plus my other parts are mostly from Alphacool cause I have a good history with them. Plus Jayztwocents did use them alot in the past.  And seeing reviews of Alphacool stuff, Its a great company to get parts for your loop, especially their new stuff they have been making recently.  But in terms of rads, I also see people saying that Hardware Labs rads are the better option. I run the slim 280 and  360 in my loops since my Define R5 can hold them, and they are the best slim rads on the markets.

[Cyracus]

Buy from established companies with good reputations, stick to all the same metals, copper's easiest to find, aluminum is good and cheaper if you can find it, but do not, I repeat DO NOT under any circumstances use both in the same loop, no amount of corrosion inhibitors will save you. Some copper stuff comes with options for nickel/gold coating, these are fine in a copper loop, won't cause any issues