Koolance radiators

[Bluedragon9r]

Does anyone have any experience with the Koolance radiator/fan combos?

I mistakenly bought a Koolance complete kit a year ago, the PC3-726. Fan controller failed already, and the performance has never been all that great. The only really good part was the looks and the fact it was put in a huge Lian Li case. Now I'm looking to upgrade. The only problem is, the big hole in the top of the case where the original Koolance stuff is installed.

They make a 3x120mm radiator/fan combo with the nice integrated bezel:
http://http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?cPath=54&products_id=285

Which fits into the pre-cut hole perfectly. I plan on getting that, a new 1 or 2 bay res, a DD-12V-D5 pump, and a new CPU waterblock (Apogee GT or D-Tek). I'm just wondering overall how it will compare to going with a similar-sized Black Ice. I'm willing to sacrifice a couple degrees of temps for the MUCH cleaner looks, but if the performance is terrible or there's any long-term problems to expect, I'd rather get a different brand.

Only other thing in the loop is a Danger Den 8800GTX waterblock.

 

[Xilikon]

The Koolance radiators is aluminium so it's a poor choice. You are better off getting a different one like a Swiftech or Black Ice.

 

[HotGore]

I would get a swiftech or if you have more money to spend a Thermochill.

 

[Buntz]

You did not say what Lian Li case you have. Do you know that you can buy just that top panel if you want to fix the case. Some venders sell and stock more parts than other so take a look around . You can buy the part and fix it yourself . All you have to do is drill out some pop rivets and the top panel will come right off. You can either pop rivet or screw the new top panel back on.

Edit- I took a look around and you have a V1200 case. Look like you are out of luck, that is one of the cases I could not find part for.I just did a quick check, you can look around some more maybe you will have better luck then I did..

 

[Bluedragon9r]

How much of a difference in performance are you looking at for a Black Ice vs the Koolance? I've read all the copper vs aluminum articles, and it doesn't look like there's really a solid answer. The guys that make copper say theirs are better, and the guys that make aluminum say theirs are better. If it's a matter of 2C, then it's probably good to stick with the Koolance.

As for the case, it is a V1200, so there's no way to replace the panel. I like the case, and I don't want to scrap it. I'd rather not live with a big ugly hole in the top though. Maybe remove the exisiting 2x120 radiator and replace it with a black ice version?

Just as an update, I e-mailed Koolance to see if they will sell the 3x120 bezel separately. If so, I can get that and mount the black ice rad under it, with my own fans and a nice fan/pump controller..

 

[Erasmus354]

Unless you are driving your computer down the freeway at 100 mph while running your computer at 100C then copper is better. It is important to look at the testing parameters. Koolance tested their radiators under parameters a car would see not a computer. Why? Well because that was the only way their radiators looked better. For our uses the copper radiators not only perform better but they don't introduce issues of corrosion.

 

[BillParrish]

I recommend avoiding alum touching your loop coolant like the plague. A few measurements of your top, the stencil provided by koolance, a little thought, some sexy hex head cap screws and you should be able to make or have made for you a filler plate to reduce the hole size down to what you need out of brushed alum. If you have a jig saw and electric drill and some skill you could do it yourself.

-or-

Call them up and see if they will sell you just the shroud, if those are 120 mm fans you can probally make another 3x120 rad work, at worst you would need to drill the new rads flange to make the holes for the fans line up which would also hold the rad to the fans and to the shroud. Be sure to tell them you are a returning customer.