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 into 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, yet carving out the smallest of gaps is all the harder with radiators. The excellent all-round performance of the Bykski RC TK60V2—why not call it yet another name—helps put it right up there at the top of the line in terms of relative performance, with no real weakness to be seen aside from low fan speed thermal performance, which is how the Black Ice Nemesis GTX just barely outperforms it.

Performance per Dollar

Prices are taken from the manufacturer's web shop at the time of each product's review when available, with all numbers reported in USD. For products not available directly, the most obvious retail source was chosen. For products no longer available, the last available reasonable price point was considered.


The value proposition of radiators is more directly tied to pure quantifiable performance than with water blocks, fans, and reservoirs. But even here remain a few things that do not get reflected directly, such as the build quality and color options, as well as any integrated lighting, as with some offerings from Alphacool, Thermaltake, etc. Regardless, the Bykski 60 mm RC series radiator steps down a few notches with pricing in mind, so the price proposition is not as attractive as that of the thinner radiators. The thinner Bykski is still the biggest value offering here by a mile, but note that this particular radiator is the best value offering in the 60 mm (and even 45 mm) thickness class even so.