When it comes to all-in-one liquid coolers, one may assume that the manufacturer’s specifications sheet provides an accurate description of the materials used in their construction. However, a recent investigation by Igor’s Lab has revealed that this is not always the case. Upon dissecting six 120mm liquid coolers for testing, it was discovered that two of them did not contain the copper parts as advertised. Instead, they were found to be using copper/zinc alloy or brass under a different name.
Copper is a popular choice for premium liquid coolers due to its excellent thermal conductivity, rated at around 401 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹. This is significantly higher than aluminum, which has a thermal conductivity of around 237. Manufacturers often boast about full or part copper construction in their coolers for this reason. However, Igor’s Lab’s findings raise concerns about the accuracy of these claims.
Out of the six liquid coolers tested, only a few came out unscathed. The Alphacool NexXxoS ST30, which was genuinely made of copper throughout, and the Aqua Computer Airplex, made claims about their materials that were proven to be true. On the other hand, the EKWB Quantum Surface P120M, which claimed to have Copper H90 tubing, was found to be made of a copper-zinc alloy, causing confusion for consumers.
Bykski’s CR-RD120RC-TN-V2 Full Copper was one of the coolers that lived up to its advertised construction, but further investigation revealed that it used a significant amount of brass in place of pure copper. High traces of lead were also found in the solder, potentially violating RoHS certification standards. The investigation found that some OEMs were responsible for switching to copper alloys within the coolers, misleading consumers about the materials used.
Some companies have taken steps to address the discrepancies in their cooler construction. Bykski confirmed the investigation’s findings and pledged to remove the affected batch from sale. Watercool updated its website to accurately reflect the materials used in its Heatkiller Rad cooler after Igor’s Lab’s report. However, there is still a need for ongoing monitoring of product specifications to ensure accuracy.
Igor’s Lab emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring in the manufacturing process to prevent similar issues in the future. While the discovery of inaccuracies in cooler construction may have been the result of complacency rather than malicious intent, it underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the industry. Consumers should be able to trust that the products they purchase accurately reflect the materials and performance claimed by manufacturers.
The investigation by Igor’s Lab sheds light on the discrepancies in all-in-one liquid cooler construction and highlights the importance of thorough testing and monitoring in the manufacturing process. Moving forward, it is crucial for companies to prioritize transparency and accuracy in their product specifications to build trust with consumers.
Leave a Reply