Performance Summary

With radiators, thermal performance is the most important metric. Liquid flow restriction is one contributor to a loop's overall flow rate, which is also affected by the pump and other used components, and I would, as such, recommend choosing a pump of a head pressure equal to or greater than the combined liquid flow restriction of your individual components (in series) at the target flow rate. It also is incorporated in the design of the radiator core, which in turn influences thermal performance as well, so in an indirect way, it is already represented by the latter. In order to quantify relative performance for a radiator thus, it makes sense to consider the thermal performance metrics only and, thus, a normalized percentage-based data set was created and plotted with the subject of this review at 100%.


There is not much differentiating the radiators presently tested, and yet carving out the smallest of gaps is all the harder with radiators. This is a telling story when it comes to brand representation with Hardware Labs taking the best spots thus far for their current offerings of Black Ice radiators. It also confirms Bitspower having made the right choice to partner with them for their radiators, with the Leviathan XF 360 outperforming all but the larger radiator it is so similar to.

Performance per Dollar

Prices were taken from Performance PCs in the USA, with all numbers reported in USD.


Things definitely look different once pricing is considered as well, with the Leviathan XF 360 not retaining a value advantage relative to others. I never thought I would have to say this, but radiators are coming out with integrated lighting now, but such features, as well as more ports, build quality, or which accessories are included, are not directly reflected here. So let us reserve judgement until we get to the next page and conclude this review.