360mm Liquid Cooling Radiators
A radiator is as important in a water-cooled system as the water cooler itself, because the radiator must remove the heat absorbed by the water. This is achieved through its finned surface, which is cooled by a fan in the case of an active radiator. A 360 mm radiator can accommodate three 120 mm fans. 360 mm radiators are especially suitable for big towers as they offer extremely good cooling performance and require relatively more space at this size. However, a 360 mm radiator can also fit in some mid-towers if the space inside the case is not needed for other components.
Material and cooling performance of the fan are crucial
For the 360 mm radiator, as with all other radiators, attention must be paid to the fans to be mounted on it, its cooling performance, and its material. Copper or brass is usually used as the base material for a radiator and may additionally be nickel-plated. It is important that the material of the radiator matches the rest of the water cooling circuit to prevent chemical reactions with other elements in the water cooling circuit.
Most 360 mm radiators have two to four G1/4 ports to connect them to the water cooling circuit and twelve holes specifically designed for three 120 mm fans. Even with a 360 mm radiator, you should consider how many sources need to be cooled by a water cooler. If these are not so numerous, a smaller radiator that consumes less power may be more worthwhile.
When purchasing a 360 mm radiator, it is generally important to consider:
- Does the overall performance of the radiator and fans match the components to be cooled?
- Does the 360 mm radiator waste too much space in the case?
- Is the material of the 360 mm radiator compatible with the other materials in the water cooling circuit?
