Help Choosing a Radiator

[EverestX]

I'm stuck between 2 radiators the Swiftech MCR320-QP-K and the Cooling works 32t. I have looked around but I am unable to find any info on the coolingworks rad.

Can anyone make a recommendation between the 2, they are both about the same price however, the Swiftech doesn't ship with 3/8" barbs.

The loop I will be running will be 3/8" cooling the rig in Sig, CPU, NB, Mosfet, and soon enough a video card. Fans will most likely be Yates, but since I have a decent fan controller I would say low to medium flow fan speed.

Thanks



Respective links
http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR320-QP-K-Triple-120mm-Radiator-pr-3320.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20618

 

[Halk]

http://www.over-clock.com/ivb/index.php?showtopic=17958

There's in depth stats and comparison between different radiators there, but I don't believe the Cooling Works one is there - perhaps it's there under a different name?

 

[Ranker]

Cooling Works rads perform very similar to Swiftech rads. BillA, the designer of the CW rads worked for Swiftech at one point and was formerly on the design team for the Swiftech MCR series.

 

[Arcygenical]

I'd go with the swiftech, just because I've never seen a CW in person.

 

[EverestX]

Thanks guys, it's a shame I can't find more information on the subject, I really hate purchasing a product without researching comparative reviews, thanks Halk for the link, it looks like I will be going with the MCR, however, most places don't offer matching fittings with it that are 3/8. I'm going to keep a look out for reviews and a place that will ship with the correct 3/8 barbs.

As far as the (3x120) rads go, I would assume that they will have the same mounting pattern, I will be mounting this all internal in my masstige with a rad grill on top hope it fits!

 

[Top Nurse]

I've seen a CW before and they look just like a Hardware Labs radiator. I have also seen them cut apart and I suggest that you get the original flavor.

 

[EverestX]

Great thanks, MCR320 it is, apparently after looking around a bit more the Cooling works is a thicker rad, and I am already sacrificing PCI ports for the Overclocking gods as it is.

Not sure if anyone could answer this but does anyone know the diameter of the Danger Den Fillport Reservoir, I have the measurements of the fill port itself however that is a bit larger in Diam. from the pics and I'm also having a hard time tracking that number down.

Due to the way I will be mounting this setup, It's literally the only res that will work for my application that I have found. And ceratinaly someone will ask, no the microres by swiftec wont cut it for me.

 

[Arcygenical]

Go for the MCR... I've never used a CW personally, but I know the swiftech stuff is good.

 

[Top Nurse]

Go for the MCR... I've never used a CW personally, but I know the swiftech stuff is good.

So who makes the radiators for Swiftech? I wonder if they are Cooling Works?

 

[rsgunter]

I like my CW, you can see it in my work log thread.





I don't think you can really go wrong with either though.

 

[Ranker]

I've seen a CW before and they look just like a Hardware Labs radiator. I have also seen them cut apart and I suggest that you get the original flavor.

Wrong. CW was built off the MCR series. BillA was went from Swiftech to CW and built it from there.

Both are comparable in terms of performance/restriction, etc. You can't go wrong with either. However, Swiftech has been in the game longer and some people might find it more reassuring to RMA a product to a well established company rather than CW>

 

[rsgunter]

However, Swiftech has been in the game longer and some people might find it more reassuring to RMA a product to a well established company rather than CW>

I had a friend go through an RMA process dealing with a CW rad and everything went well, but I can't remember if it was through the retailer or the company.

However, I do understand buying from a reputable company, it's a very reassuring feeling. Kinda like buying a XFX or EVGA product, you know you'll be taken care of.

 

[Top Nurse]

Wrong. CW was built off the MCR series. BillA was went from Swiftech to CW and built it from there.

Both are comparable in terms of performance/restriction, etc. You can't go wrong with either. However, Swiftech has been in the game longer and some people might find it more reassuring to RMA a product to a well established company rather than CW>

Maybe they are now, but the one I saw (when they first started importing them from China) looked identical to a HWL. IIRC, Bill A went there after they had started the company.

 

[R1ckCa1n]

Maybe they are now, but the one I saw (when they first started importing them from China) looked identical to a HWL. IIRC, Bill A went there after they had started the company.

Correct! Those are the ones Sharka had right?

 

[Top Nurse]

Correct! Those are the ones Sharka had right?

Yeah Wes had a couple of them laying around 2-3 years ago.


Ranker:

These rads look awful similar don't they? The first pic is off Feeding Frenzy, the second one is off the Sharka site, and the third one is off the Cooling Works website. And the last pic, well I will let you decide. The first two pics are HwL Black Ice Pro's. BTW, Cooling Works was started around 2002 and Bill A then worked for Swiftech, IIRC. So I don't see how he could have designed the Chinese knock off's right? But what the hell, one radiator looks like another, right?