When it comes to choosing an all-in-one liquid cooler for your PC, you may think that the materials listed on the manufacturer’s specs sheet are accurate. However, a recent investigation by Igor’s Lab has revealed that this is not always the case. Igor’s Lab tore apart six 120mm liquid coolers for testing, and the results were surprising.
One of the key findings of the investigation was that two out of the six coolers did not contain the copper parts that were advertised by the manufacturers. Instead, these coolers used copper/zinc alloy, which is essentially brass. Copper is known for its superior thermal conductivity, rated at around 401 W·m−1·K−1, compared to aluminum at 237. The use of copper in coolers is often highlighted as a premium feature for better heat dissipation.
Out of the six coolers tested, only three came out unscathed in terms of material accuracy. The ‘full copper’ Alphacool NexXxoS ST30 and the mostly aluminum Aqua Computer Airplex were found to be true to their material claims. The Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis GTS also lived up to expectations by using copper for the cooling fins. However, the EKWB Quantum Surface P120M and Bykski CR-RD120RC-TN-V2 fell short in terms of material accuracy.
The EKWB Quantum Surface P120M was found to have misleading information about its copper H90 tubing, which turned out to be a brass alloy. In addition, some quality issues were noted, such as soft screws and flux residue. On the other hand, Bykski’s CR-RD120RC-TN-V2 did meet the advertised full copper construction, but with a significant amount of brass used instead of pure copper.
Bykski has acknowledged the findings of the investigation and taken steps to remove the affected batch from sale. The company claims that the batch was produced by a different OEM, which is also responsible for switching to a copper alloy within the channels. Watercool Heatkiller Rad 120-S was also found to have discrepancies in its advertised materials, using brass instead of copper in the channels.
It is clear from Igor’s Lab’s investigation that there is a need for more transparency in the materials used in all-in-one liquid coolers. Customers rely on accurate information to make informed decisions about their PC cooling solutions. Companies should prioritize disclosing the exact materials used in their products to avoid any confusion.
The investigation highlights the importance of accuracy and transparency in the PC hardware industry. Customers deserve to know what they are getting when purchasing all-in-one liquid coolers. Hopefully, this scrutiny will lead to improved practices and better quality control in the future.
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