Summary
Even if the time required is really immense, it has already paid off. Unfortunately, only half of the manufacturers were honest enough to only advertise copper where copper was actually used. The rest either fell victim to their own OEMs, where they delivered what they hadn’t ordered, or they hoped that nobody would find out anyway. From now on this is history, because even if radiators cost a lot of money in retail, I will of course continue to do this and also check the outliers again at a later date. My thanks also go to the donors, because then it will be radiators instead of a few cups of coffee. And yes, as an editor, you just have to take on something like that because no one else does it.
That’s exactly why I’ve been shopping on Amazon, AliExpress & Co. again and am now waiting for what’s to come. I’m particularly excited about the “non-name” products, which can also be found in German online shops under well-sounding brand names. If they advertise copper, you might be happy if you don’t get served rusty iron or you might unexpectedly and happily find THE lead-free bargain. I’m already curious.
Today’s test showed very mixed results, so I would now like to compare the measurements for each manufacturer and radiator in a table. The positive points are marked in green, yellow is for a slight criticism or room for improvement and things marked in red (and bold) are technically a no-go for me or indicate a marketing lie, which in my view also weighs heavily.
| Test results |
|
| Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 120mm |
– Genuine (and only) full copper radiator – All material specifications are correct – RoHS certified – Screws a little too soft |
| Aqua Computer airplex radical 2/120, aluminum fins |
– Only copper as metal in the cooling circuit – Solid POM terminal – Clean threads – Outstanding processing quality – Outstanding look and feel |
| Bykski CR-RD120RC-TN-V2, 120mm Radiator D30 V2 Full Copper |
– Good soldering quality
– Extremely leaded solder (prohibited) – Threaded inserts made of copper that is too soft |
| EKWB Quantum Surface P120M – Black |
– Properly processed – Beautiful look – Front sides made of high-quality stainless steel – Channels only made of brass instead of advertised “copper H90” – Screws too soft |
| Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis GTS – 120 XFlow |
– Acceptable finish – Rinsed well – No detailed information on the material (channels, chambers) |
| Watercool HEATKILLER RAD 120-S Black |
– Good workmanship, well rinsed – High soldering quality without rough oxide layers – Look and feel match the price – Durable screws, premium steel on the end faces – Channels only made of brass instead of advertised copper – Side panels only made of simple steel, no stainless steel |
As the focus today is less on cooling performance and more on the quality and the possible prognosis of long-term durability (also with regard to the influence of residues or corrosion on the coolant), my judgment may also contradict practical experience as long as the radiator has not been used for a long time. However, copper channels are currently (in this test) only available from Alphacool and Aqua Computer, whereas Bykski completely fails with the model tested today. Something really needs to be fundamentally changed here.
I wouldn’t want to install the radiators from Bykski and EKWB without a thorough flushing, something like this simply shouldn’t happen. With EKWB in particular, I was really disappointed by the premium claim and price. And the honesty of the suppliers with regard to the material specifications is a completely different matter. Hardware Labs is at least clever enough to only advertise the fins as copper, as they know that the rest is brass anyway and it’s better not to write anything at all instead of misleading the customer.
At EKWB, they get creative and simply write “copper H90” instead of brass, although they could certainly have marketed the high-quality brass just as well. But copper sounds better and more premium to the layman, even if it is not. But at least the 90 still stands for the very high copper content, so it is more of a creative exclusion of the 10% zinc content. With Bykski and Watercool, on the other hand, the information is really wrong. The CuZn35 is everything else but copper. Either they don’t know any better themselves or the marketing was a little too brash. But it doesn’t matter to the customer, because wrong is still wrong. Period.
Conclusion
I am really disappointed that with some manufacturers you only get unrinsed mediocrity, even if premium has been priced and advertised. The possible conviction of some suppliers that nobody would notice anyway shows once again that permanent monitoring is actually important and essential. I don’t understand all those suppliers who lack minimal quality management and rely exclusively on the OEM instead of real spot checks and tests. I’m not even suggesting this is intentional, just nonchalant carelessness or even convenience. However, I have painfully learned for myself what false confidence can lead to, and I guarantee that it won’t happen to me again.
That’s exactly why I tested the samples several times on different days and in different sequences, had the manufacturer calibrate the equipment beforehand and now have everything safely vacuum-sealed, archived and stored. Yes, it may take a little longer, but you can’t get it much more accurate with a reasonable amount of effort. To be continued…
The big Radiator Material Test: Even more lead, a popular hiding place and 2.5 bright spots | Part 2
Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 Full Copper X-Flow 120mm (14228)
 | Zentrallager: verfügbar, Lieferung 3-5 WerktageFiliale Wilhelmshaven: nicht lagerndStand: 09.05.24 15:29 | 37,59 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:36 |
 | lagernd: 25+ | 39,58 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:26 |
 | Auf Lager | 39,98 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:35 |
Aqua Computer airplex radical 2/120, Aluminium-Lamellen (33701)
| Zentrallager: verfügbar, Lieferung 3-5 WerktageFiliale Wilhelmshaven: nicht lagerndStand: 09.05.24 15:29 | 65,98 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:36 |
| lagernd: 1 | 69,46 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:26 |
 | 4-6 Werktage | 78,72 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:12 |
Bykski RC Series Thin Radiator 120 (CR-RD120RC-TN-V2)
EK Water Blocks Quantum Line EK-Quantum Surface P P120M Black (3831109838334)
 | Lagernd | 62,90 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:37 |
 | Nicht lagernd, ab Bestellung versandfertig in 9 Tagen | 62,90 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:22 |
 | Alsdorf: bei Vorbestellung in ca. 24h - 48h lagerndVersandlager: bei Vorbestellung in ca. 24h - 48h lagerndStand: 09.05.24 14:45 | 64,90 €*Stand: 09.05.24 14:45 |
Hardware Labs Black Ice GT Stealth 120 XFlow
Watercool Heatkiller RAD 120-S Black (24100)
| Lagernd | 49,90 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:37 |
| Lager Lieferant: Sofort lieferbar, 2-4 Werktage | 57,63 €*Stand: 09.05.24 15:12 |
 | lagernd | 60,17 €*Stand: 09.05.24 13:40 |
- 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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