EK-Quantum Surface S360 Radiator

[VSG]

EK Water Blocks has a long-awaited re-haul of its radiator lineup in 2022 called the EK-Quantum Surface, and we take a look at the 30-mm thick Surface S360 triple 120 mm radiator. It not only aims to best other thin radiators on the market, but also takes on thicker radiators for performance while going easy on your pump and wallet!

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[maxfly]

Nice, two in a row. Im surprised at their ability to come up with such a good slim rad considering how bland the previous gen was. Very happy to see someone actually getting things right! For sooo many years it's just been one ho hum release after another. I look forward to seeing what you think of the ce follow up.
We appreciate your work man!

 

[Leiesoldat]

Surprised to not see any radiators from Aquacomputer in the list.

 

[zlobby]

And what about some pictures of the pre-flush?

 

[RH92]

Im a simple man , i see watercooling parts reviewed by VSG i make myself a drink and i enjoy the content . Speaking about the product these Quantum Surface seem to be very decent at least the 360 . Performance in the 800-1500 RPM seems to be decent and very low flow resistance is always good to take. The only hitch i could find is perhaps with pricing , i would had prefered something closer to 80 eur given the GTS 360 sells for 70ish eur here but still the slim Quantum Surface lineup seems to be a decent alternative .

 

[maxfly]

Im a simple man , i see watercooling parts reviewed by VSG i make myself a drink and i enjoy the content . Speaking about the product these Quantum Surface seem to be very decent at least the 360 . Performance in the 800-1500 RPM seems to be decent and very low flow resistance is always good to take. The only hitch i could find is perhaps with pricing , i would had prefered something closer to 80 eur given the GTS 360 sells for 70ish eur here but still the slim Quantum Surface lineup seems to be a decent alternative .

Agreed, the gts will make $100 a tough spot for the s360 to sell at. Then again there are a ton of people that never go any further than the EK website when they are configuring their loop.

 

[VSG]

Surprised to not see any radiators from Aquacomputer in the list.

They haven't released anything new in this category since I joined TechPowerUp in late 2016.

And what about some pictures of the pre-flush?

Nothing to report out of the norm here, hence I didn't. Flushing all happens in the lab hot box area, not exactly conducive for photography.

 

[bug]

They haven't released anything new in this category since I joined TechPowerUp in late 2016.

It's still your fault for not joining earlier

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

Is it me or does it look like EK "took some design ideas" from Watercool's Heatkiller line of radiators?

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Still rocking an XSPC 4x120 and 3x120 on the remaining custom loop computer I have.

 

[BoredErica]

I wish there were new 560mm rads that are top performers at low RPMs.

 

[Crackong]

The previous SE rads are not that well so I changed to Alphacool.
Now their new rads looks promising (With the trade off of being 'longer' than other brands tho)

May consider them in next build

 

[zlobby]

They haven't released anything new in this category since I joined TechPowerUp in late 2016.


Nothing to report out of the norm here, hence I didn't. Flushing all happens in the lab hot box area, not exactly conducive for photography.

A rather poor wording on my side. What my stupid ass meant is that I want to see the water that comes out when you flush the radiator before mounting.

 

[VSG]

A rather poor wording on my side. What my stupid ass meant is that I want to see the water that comes out when you flush the radiator before mounting.

I know, and that's also why I was saying that the environment that's done in isn't ideal for photography.

 

[bug]

I know, and that's also why I was saying that the environment that's done in isn't ideal for photography.

You were reviewing this in a club. Admit it.

 

[zlobby]

I know, and that's also why I was saying that the environment that's done in isn't ideal for photography.

I mean, pour the thing in a glass beak, shine some light from behind. Or spill it on filter paper?
Something (even not ideal) is better than nothing, IMHO.

If anything, your forum avatar suggests that you know your way around a camera.

 

[VSG]

I mean, pour the thing in a glass beak, shine some light from behind. Or spill it on filter paper?
Something (even not ideal) is better than nothing, IMHO.

If anything, your forum avatar suggests that you know your way around a camera.

It was done in a lab as mentioned before, no cameras allowed because it's a shared space with lots of potential IP being developed.

 

[bug]

It was done in a lab as mentioned before, no cameras allowed because it's a shared space with lots of potential IP being developed.

It doesn't have to be a picture. A painting will do. (Man, am I posting a ton of rubbish today)

 

[zlobby]

It was done in a lab as mentioned before, no cameras allowed because it's a shared space with lots of potential IP being developed.

No, I mean you do it again as a part of the review. History shows that many times manufacturers leave lots of gunk in the radiators.
All I wanted to see how this radiator is treated in this regard.

 

[bug]

No, I mean you do it again as a part of the review. History shows that many times manufacturers leave lots of gunk in the radiators.
All I wanted to see how this radiator is treated in this regard.

I don't think that would be very relevant. The amount of mess inside will vary from one unit to another, I would not generalize based on a single sample.

 

[zlobby]

I don't think that would be very relevant. The amount of mess inside will vary from one unit to another, I would not generalize based on a single sample.

True. But even if one sample shows manufacturer negligence, it's a good indication that other units will too.

 

[bug]

True. But even if one sample shows manufacturer negligence, it's a good indication that other units will too.

I don't think these are made on an assembly line. If you find ingress in a radiator, that is more indicative of someone not paying attention/being tired, more than anything else.

And really, it's not like heatsinks not being lapped properly. Just purge the radiator before installing and you're good. Hell, if I was paying that kind of money, I'd purge it anyway.

 

[zlobby]

I don't think these are made on an assembly line. If you find ingress in a radiator, that is more indicative of someone not paying attention/being tired, more than anything else.

And really, it's not like heatsinks not being lapped properly. Just purge the radiator before installing and you're good. Hell, if I was paying that kind of money, I'd purge it anyway.

I always purge with acidic solutions. Vinegar is a cheap option for copper and brass. Rinse and you're golden.
Often I am amazed by the quality (or the lack thereof) of some expensive rads.

But after that treatment, deionized water and a silver coil are all you need.

 

[Gungar]

Too bad that we don't have the comparison with the older 360 SE.

 

[BoredErica]

Are 180mm rads + fans still the best way to go in terms if width of rads don't matter? Also, what is the most efficient radiator size when taking into account restriction? More 120mm rads, less 140mm rads, or some 180mm rads? Trying to understand when I'd use which size if I don't build in a case and rad compat doesn't matter. Space efficiency/money efficiency might matter still though.