Test System - AthlonXP 2500+ @ 3200+ (1.8v) (Provided by ), Abit AN7 (with Enduracell BIOS), 1gb Ultra PC4000, Antec P160 case with front mounted 3000rpm 120mm fan, rear mounted 120mm fan
Watercooling setup and loop – WACC MK1 Reservoir with MaxiJet 1200 pump, Radiator, WACC CPU block, WACC NB Block, back to Reservoir
NB. The WACC P/A Reservoir was not used during testing.
Testing Methodology
As with all temperature related reviews we do, the system was allowed a few days to bed in and settle down, then readings were taking both from idle and under load multiple times, with the temperatures averaged out for the final results. Results were taken when the room temperature was 23C (+ or - 0.5 C) and any other results ignored. For idle, the PC was warm rebooted and left doing nothing for 15 minutes. For load testing, Folding@Home was run for at least an hour as well as a looped series of timedemos from Quake III Arena (3 different, one run after the other).
Temperatures were taken using an Antec temperature probe (from the P160 case) placed next to and touching the core of the CPU. Arctic Silver 5 (provided by ) was used throughout.
Since I don’t have another dual fan radiator I couldn't do a comparison with another dual fan radiator. I am however going to throw in numbers from the WACC Dual Row Single Fan Radiator just for a point of reference. Both Radiators were using Evercool 2000rpm, 80 CFM fans, though of course the R120-D had two. All the fans were connected to a Vantec Nexus fan controller and I tested at differing voltages/fan speeds.
Results - Idle
Idle Temperatures in Celcius, Lower is better
Load
Load Temperatures in Celcius, Lower is better
Some very nice numbers being shown here, especially under load. The bonus of having a dual fan radiator is clearly shown, emphasising the dual nature; having two fans and twice the cooling area is good for both performance as well as for silence. At 12v we find only a 3C difference between idle and load, and load never goes above 35C which will please the performance seeking crowd.
For those looking for silence, the twin fans and shear amount of surface area afforded by the R120-D’s design gives us impressive load temperatures of only 37C, and running the twin Evercool fans at 4v (the lowest they will go before stopping) is silent all bar a little air turbulence that would be drowned out by someone talking. Using a fan controller will give you the best of both worlds and is something I would recommend to anyone watercooling.
Final Words
might be new to the market and at time of writing have a minimal product line-up, but their is certainly one to consider if you’re looking for watercooling parts.
Being of a size to accommodate two 120mm fans speaks to the cooling performance on its own, but the design with its 2 rows of 12 tubes and plenty of fins between provides a lot of surface area for cooling. The design is very reminiscent of a car radiator and works well. The radiator assembly is covered in black epoxy giving you a colour that will pretty much go with anything. Of course the chromed brass sidings that form the shroud provide a nice bit of ‘bling’. In conjunction with some hard foam strips, the chrome shrouds raise the fans away from the radiator surface to give a plenum area for each fan. And since the mounting holes for the fans are on both sides of the shroud, you can not only put fans on either side but on both sides as well for a four fan push-pull setup.
Everything is solidly constructed with no marks, blemishes or mistakes which adds to the high quality of the unit. Being made from copper and having so much surface area does make for a weighty product but let’s face it, once its mounted are you really going to care?
A dual fan radiator with shroud might not be anything new to the market but the is certainly one to put on your list if you are shopping for a dual radiator due to its quality construction and performance. At around £45, the R120-D also has price in its favour, as it is slightly cheaper than other dual fan radiators on the market.
You can buy the from and also from here in the UK.
Pros: Removable Chrome shroud makes for versatile mounting options, Dead Zone from fans reduced, ¼” Thread inlet and outlet for mounting differing fittings makes for versatile usage, Dual row tubing (2 rows of 12 tubes) + lots of fins = lots of surface area, Great performance, Nice construction, Price
Cons: None I can think of, bit weighty maybe
Bottom Line: The might not bring anything new to the table for Dual Fan 120mm Radiators but it is solidly constructed, performs well and doesn’t cost as much as most on the market. Should certainly be added to your short list.
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