Quote:
Originally Posted by SugarJ  Fin density is important, as is the thickness of the rad too. A thicker rad can usually dissipate more heat vs. a thinner one with the same area. IMHO, the Swiftechs are a good starter rad for someone getting into WC'ing, but those looking to push the limits might want to look elsewhere. It's also important to match your fans to your rad, as different rads perform better with higher/lower rpm fans. |
For sure. High fin density equals higher cooling potential, however the downside is the massive static pressure required to achieve decent airflow through those fins. Hence they perform best with very high RPM fans. While many low FPI (fins per inch) radiators are optimized for consumer fans that are quiet and have decent performance. The swiftech is absolutely a great starter for any water cooler, it can handle a reasonable thermal load.
To sum it up:
Weak radiator (compared to a great rad like the PA120.3) :
Aluminum based
Thin
Lower FPI (not always bad though)
Single pass design
High restriction