The big radiator material test: Between promise, reality and the forbidden – Water Cooling tested more in Detail! | Part 1

1 - Intro, Samples and Equipment 2 - Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 120mm 3 - Aqua Computer airplex radical 2/120, Alu-Lamellen 4 - Bykski CR-RD120RC-TN-V2, D30 V2 Full Copper 5 - EKWB Quantum Surface P120M - Black 6 - Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis GTS - 120 XFlow 7 - Watercool HEATKILLER RAD 120-S Black 8 - Summary and Conclusion

Bykski CR-RD120RC-TN-V2

Now we come to the letter B and thus to the Bykski CR-RD120RC-TN-V2, D30 V2 Full Copper 120mm.

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Let’s let the manufacturer himself have his say first, as he emphasizes the high soldering quality in particular. If you want to see the marketing graphics, you can (and should) click on the link in the quote. After reading it, I was really curious to see whether we might be in for a technical surprise.

Unfortunately, I have to expressly contradict the stated properties, because apart from the cooling fins on the outside and the pre-chamber, the actual cooling circuit of the radiator is also made of brass and not just “red” copper! For Bykski: The so-called red copper is CuO2, i.e. merely a special form of copper oxide and a pure surface treatment. This in itself might be tolerable as long as the price is right, but the big end is yet to come. This radiator should not be sold at all in the EU! The soft solder used contains more than the permitted 500 mg of lead per kilogram of solder (< 0.5 per mille). However, if you convert the atomic weights determined, you get at least 250 grams (not milligrams!) per kilogram of solder, and in some places it was even significantly more!

The process used and described on the homepage should only be cost-effective for lead-free soldering with a great deal of effort. Of course I informed Bykski in advance, because these are not small traces of lead, but really large, intolerable quantities. However, Bykski itself was apparently demonstrated by its own OEM, because there is even a RoHS certificate for the radiator from 2022. However, either this is incorrect (I now even have it), or the Bykski OEM simply had golden samples tested at the institute, whatever the case may be.

My radiator is from May 2023, so it should correspond to the current batch. These radiators should actually be recalled and even banned from sale, because such a blatant violation of RoHS is no longer a trivial offense. Whether out of ignorance or with intent, the parts should be collected and returned. Of course, I’m staying on top of this, and the manufacturer and importer have shown themselves to be cooperative and responded promptly. More on this in the interim conclusion at the end of this page.

The results are depressing! After the table, which already anticipates and summarizes a lot, we now come to the test results including pictures and further details.

Pre-chamber / terminal and solder

At first glance, this looks like a really perfect soldering job. The solder is evenly distributed over a large area and it is easy to believe the marketing images on the homepage. But can the first impression deliver what it promises?

I had already mentioned the solder, so I drilled a deep hole with the laser and evaluated it layer by layer until I came across copper at the 8th layer. I could actually have stopped at this point. But when you see the amount of lead in the solder, you have to measure the whole thing again to get clarity.

You can see from the average area and depth measurement next to the copper that the ratio of tin to lead is 2:1! Conversely, this means that lead accounts for more than 50% of the atomic weight, if you leave the copper out of the equation! There is no excuse for this. It looks nice, but unfortunately it is forbidden.

In addition, the radiator still contains flux residues on the walls of the pre-chamber, as can be seen from the presence of potassium (K) and sodium (Na). Both elements lead to alkaline contamination of the coolant, which almost forces a thorough cleaning of the radiator before first use. The OEM has been sloppy here and only rinsed the surface. However, the material of the entire chamber is at least made of the promised copper, which fits the bill.

The outside of this chamber, i.e. what the customer can see and touch, is, as we have already guessed, made of coated copper. So here, too, we kept our word. From the 15th depth bore, there is only copper, so the coating is also sufficiently thick.

Let’s move on to the soldered thread inserts, which should really only be made of brass for reasons of durability. Copper is, as in this case, simply too soft and will require greater care when screwing. Other manufacturers have already painfully learned from this.

Cooling channels and fins

The most important part in the middle are the cooling channels and the fins, both of which the manufacturer specifies as pure copper. Let’s first take a look at the cut as such. The channel carries the slotted fins, which improves the heat exchange with the air and creates slight additional turbulence. This means that this radiator is also somewhat more restrictive, but can certainly cope well with less air. And now we want to know the material!

Let’s take a look at the measurement of the cut duct and be amazed! While the solid pre-chamber is made of pure copper, only brass has been used for the much more important ducts. With 80% copper content and only 20% cheap zinc, the brass is still ok, but it’s not copper. Unfortunately, the data sheet is lying here.

Things look better with the cooling fins, which are also only copper.

Housing and accessories

Finally, we come to the frame for stabilization and assembly, as well as the enclosed screws. Hidden under the black powder coating is durable chrome steel with 80% iron and 20% chrome content from the 16th shot, which is quite a lot. Even Bykski’s screws, which are far too soft, quickly turn into melting butter if too much force is applied.

Which brings us back to the screws…

… which are made of simple, nickel-plated steel. I have already commented on this several times, e.g. at Alphacool.

Interim conclusion

Finally, we come to the announced reaction from Bykski. They have been able to reproduce my results and have obtained the same high figures from an independent institute. According to Bykski, the batch tested should be around 200 radiators that were manufactured by another OEM and which then came here to Germany. If they have not yet been sold, they will be taken out of circulation immediately and at the same time it will be possible to return or exchange them via EZModding if it is clear exactly which batch the customer is dealing with.

However, I must add something else from a private point of view: The individual who has already installed such a radiator will of course not be physically harmed by this lead, because normally you don’t drink the coolant or rub it on yourself. So there is absolutely no reason to dismantle an existing system and replace the radiator, it’s not worth the effort. However, EZModding will ensure that the EAN and possibly also the model description is changed from V2 to V3 for better differentiation. The functionality is not affected by the lead (on the contrary).

So much for the lead. Obviously nobody at Bykski knew that the channels are made of brass instead of copper, and here too the changed OEM is held responsible. Who you believe in the end is up to you, but nobody is going to dust off an extra fur coat because of the 20% zinc. It just contradicts the advertising. I am somewhat satisfied that Bykski responded within 48 hours and I will of course also test the new parts. I now know where and what to look for.

Will it be the same with the next test object? Let’s move on to the letter E in the test field!