Two winners in a row now from EK, and suddenly all the delays in getting the new radiators in seem worth it. The EK-Quantum Surface X360M is the big daddy of the collection as it firmly belongs in the 60-mm thickness class and looks and feels every part of it. Indeed, even the steel side plates feel better built than those of the thinner EK-Quantum Surface S360 being covered alongside, which is likely placebo as it is just as thick and of the same material and finish. Perhaps it's more to do with the thick anodized aluminium end plate covers being far more substantial, which makes the X360M really feel like a premium product in hand even before testing. I still think $150 is too much for any 360 mm radiator though, but don't profess to be an expert in supply chain and logistics either. I do know it will still sell for a multitude of other reasons, and at least this time around, you are not having to compromise performance for aesthetics.

The EK-Quantum Surface X360M is an excellent overall performer with very good thermal scaling with airflow and chart-leading performance most of the way, and backs it up with extremely low coolant flow restriction. Much of this has to do with the redesigned core that is wider and longer than typical to allow 16 tubes per row and 16 fin stacks, so it is in a way taking up more room to give you that extra coolant volume and heat transfer surface area. It allows EK to go with non-louvered fins, which helps with lower airflow performance too, and can make this a single radiator solution for your rig with a demanding CPU and GPU in the same loop. We will see how much the replacement end plate covers cost and when the all black versions are released, but the multiple ports sweeten the deal, especially as three of the ports come with flush-mounted stop plugs to not take up more room on their own. I am giving it a recommendation, although it was not as easily earned as by the thinner S360.