A Closer Look

The radiator Alphacool uses is a 280 mm design that is 30 mm thick; with the shroud and fans, it sits at 65 mm. FPI (fins-per-inch) measures in at 16, which is lower than for typical all-in-one closed loop coolers. Not necessarily a bad thing, a lower FPI means better airflow through the radiator and lower noise levels. This design also allows for a push-pull setup in theory. However, should you attempt it, it's worth keeping in mind total thickness since another set of fans would make the unit 90 mm thick. Looking at the backside, the unit features a flat plate rather than the large honeycomb mesh seen on the front.


The tubing goes through the shell, while the wires for powering the fans and pump extend through the rubber grommet opening. Meanwhile, the quick disconnect fittings are placed in the middle of the tubing run for easy expansion. As for the fill port, it's on the backside where the fans are located, with the plug sitting flush against the housing.


The waterblock the unit comes with is Alphacool's very own Eisblock XPX and has built-in blue LEDS which illuminate the logo. When it comes to the base, it's nickel-plated copper and smooth to the touch, though you can still see some marks from the machining process because the base does not have a mirror finish.


Taking the cooler apart was relatively quick and easy. While it may appear daunting to a first-time builder, it's really nothing more than a few screws that hold the aluminium housing together. Remove these screws and it comes apart, giving users access to the pump and fans. Speaking of the fans, they are be quiet! Silent Wings 3 fans, which have a maximum RPM of 1300 and push 64.81 CFM.