Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis GTS – 120 XFlow
I buy an H and end up at Hardware Labs and the Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis GTS. Interesting that this is also Corsair’s supplier, but their radiator just arrived today from Amazon, along with three other suppliers. So the follow-up will also be exciting in this respect.
As usual, let’s now let the manufacturer himself have his say and it is noticeable that no material is mentioned here except for the copper fins. Nothing. Well, what you don’t mention can’t become a danger if it’s not true. Let’s call it the creative elegance of marketing. Yes, that’s how it works.
Since nothing was advertised in advance, I can’t compare anything, but I can at least contribute my part to the general knowledge and provide some clarity in the silence of the supplier. Here is the table and yes, it is lead-free and really nothing special as far as the material is concerned. Medium-hard brass right up to the channels. I’m curious to see if it will be similar next time with Corsair.
Assembly | Manufacturer’s specification | Material testing |
Pre-chamber / Terminal | – | Brass CuZn37 (63% Cu, 37% Zn) Brass CuZn30 (70% Cu, 30% Zn) |
Threaded inserts G1/4 | – | Brass CuZn37 (63% Cu, 37% Zn) |
Channels/tubes | – | Brass CuZn37 (63% Cu, 37% Zn) |
Solder used | – | Tin (100% Sn) |
Cooling fins | Copper | Copper (100% Cu) |
Frame / side panel | – | Brass (53% copper, 47% zinc) |
Screws | – | Galvanized steel (100% Fe) |
Other accessories | – | – |
RoHS labeled on box | Advertised on the website |
The results are already interesting. 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
Here we see a rather average soldering quality with a fairly high use of solder. The rough surface is a layer of tin oxide and it really covers the entire surface.
The solder as such is okay so far and the layer is relatively thin, so I got some copper as well.
The outside of this chamber, i.e. what the customer can see and touch, is, as we have already guessed, made of coated brass. We find CuZn30, i.e. 70% copper with 30% zinc. The pre-chamber is therefore made of this rather hard brass…
Let’s move on to the soldered threaded inserts, which are made of CuZn37 brass, i.e. 63% copper and 37% brass, as is the support for the soldered water channels.
Cooling channels and fins
The most important part in the middle are the cooling channels and the fins, which the manufacturer specifies as pure copper, while the channels are left out. Let’s first take a look at the section as such. The rather thin-walled channel carries the closed fins, which are arranged quite closely together.
Let’s look at the measurement of the cut channel and yes, it is again exactly the 63% copper and 37% zinc content, i.e. brass CuZn37. Although this is on paper significantly worse for heat exchange than pure copper, it provides more stability and so it is not surprising why Hardware Labs does not name the material. Thinner-walled also means a reduction in thermal resistance but brass is not so marketing-compatible.
It looks better with the cooling fins, which only show copper. This was also the only one really specified and is also correct. Where does the potassium come from on the outside? Someone must have spilled some when rinsing.
Housing and accessories
Finally, we come to the permanently attached side parts for stabilization and assembly as well as the enclosed screws. Let’s start with the frame. Brass is also hidden under the black powder coating! If you round the whole thing up, you get the conventional, quite hard 53 mixture of 53% copper and 47% zinc.
Which brings us back to the screws…
… which are made of simple, galvanized steel. I have already commented on this several times, it is quite soft. But here it fits, because it is still harder than the brass with the threads on the radiator.
Interim conclusion
At first glance, the radiator is certainly only average in terms of materials, but at second glance you quickly realize the intention behind it. The quality of manufacture is also acceptable. It is lead-free, without any real visual excitement and without any visible defects. The radiator may not arouse any emotions, but it will certainly work. And another thing: it was really well rinsed and free of flux residue. So even better than the self-proclaimed premium from just now. Next and last letter!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
- 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
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