Packaging and Accessories

The Alphacool NexXxos HPE-45 radiator lineup was so new at the time the sample shipped that the retail packaging wasn't ready. Indeed, it shipped in the product box for the NexXxos XT45 v2, which differentiates itself from the original by adopting a white and blue color scheme as opposed to the predominantly black and blue boxes I remember. Alphacool having adapted a fresher branding look recently, the logo is also not the current one. Regardless, the box for the retail HPE-45 360 will look similar and be functionally identical, with the company logo and product name on front and a label on the side confirming the exact SKU inside. This is also where the HPE-45 360 being inside is confirmed, and there will perhaps be a white color option down the line. A double flap on the side keeps the contents in place, and a cute "Enjoy" greets you as you open the box.


Opening the box, we see the radiator and not one but two separate brochures on top. One is a contact card should you need to get in touch with customer support and the other a general guide describing the installation of these newer radiators. Off to the side, sandwiched between two foam sheets, is an accessory box, and the packaging means the radiator won't be damaged by any of the included accessories.


I like that the accessory box comes with a sticker clearly identifying it as such. There are nine individually labeled plastic zip-lock bags inside the box. In total, we get a set of twelve 30 mm M3-threaded screws for three standard 25 mm thick 120 mm fans and a case/radiator mount. Two 35 mm M3-threaded screws for when you have a thicker radiator mount or thicker fans to deal with have also been included. These are paired with an additional set of twelve 5 mm screws to directly mount the radiator to the case or mount. These screws have a hex head, so there is a matching L-shaped Allen key, and a set of spare screws give you two each of the three sizes. This is more than anyone else provides for radiators, and the only thing I can think of to make it better would be to move from M3 threading to M4 threading in the future. The last bag contains a branded plastic tool handy for installing and removing stop plugs on the radiator, but more about that on the next page. The radiator itself comes safely packed inside a bubble wrap layer on all sides, so this is a good packaging job from Alphacool!