EK CoolStream SE 360mm Radiator Review
The intention of this write up is to provide information and performance data about the EK CoolStream SE 360mm Radiator. We will be including the test results in the Extreme Rigs Rad Round Up 2015, however in this review rather than comparing the SE to all the rads we made a decision to start a Round-Up just for the Slim 360mm rads. Expect our Slims Round-Up to be published in the coming weeks.
I’ll be keeping the review section short and factual, focusing on presenting the performance data compiled through the numerous tests carried out. Firstly a big thanks to EK for providing the review sample of the SE 360mm!
We received the review sample of the SE 360 from EK prior to release and at the time of publishing we were told it is due to launch this week and is expected to have a MSRP of $66. We’ll update here once it launches.
What’s in the Box?
The SE 360 sample arrived in full retail packaging – which sports EK’s recently revised package design for their radiators.
The EK retail packaging is very distinctive and their radiator range has always been color coded with the lime green. The new packaging continues the theme with band of radiator fins under the EK logo adding a nice detail.
On the back we find some specs under the Tech data along with the package contents.
Additionally we find some marketing propaganda (multi-language) advising us that for best performance to use EK’s Vardar fans. As all testing to date is carried out with GT AP-15 fans, we need to continue using them for accurate comparisons.
Check out our EK Vardar F3 review where we put the Vardar and Gentle Typhoon head to head against one another.
EK continue to state that no there is no need for flushing prior to use. I advise against this and believe that you should always flush your rads prior to installing in your system.
The SE 360 has a sturdy protective cardboard box inside the retail sleeve.
Inside the rad had a bubble wrap sleeve which I always like to see.
The accessory bags were placed at one end with a cardboard divider between the bags and the rads, simple yet effective.
Extent of delivery as per the packaging
Enclosed:
EK CoolStream SE 360 radiator
12 x 6-32 UNC x 30mm screws for mounting 25mm thick fans.
12 x 6-32 UNC x 5mm screws for attaching to chassis panel.
Also included were 2 allen keys…
• 1 x 2.5mm allen key for the 6-32 screws.
• 1 x 9mm allen key is for nipping up the primary ports if they unscrew when removing fittings.
Both screw lengths are black, hex-key, button head screws. As good as it gets in my opinion.
As with the screws provided with the XE (which we reviewed last month) the short screws measured in at 6.5mm, just slightly longer than the 5mm as listed by EK.
The 9mm allen key is for nipping up the removablel G-1/4 ports which sometimes loosen off when removing fittings. An advantage of having removable ports is that the SE can be total disassembled, making for easier custom paint jobs on the SE panels.
Onwards to technical specifications!
[…] EK CoolStream SE 360mm Radiator Review […]
Thank you for doing this terrific review. It is very useful in the context of the earlier radiator round up you did. Really appreciate the methodology. I am currently choosing slim radiators for a new build; although the Hardware Labs Nemesis GTS series are almost impossible to find in Europe, I think that I will pay up for shipping and customs charges to get a pair sent to me in the UK.
(I’ve tried Hardware Labs importers / retailers in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands: all have terrible stock levels, usually only stocking a few old / superseded models and nowhere like the full range. When I have contacted the UK and Dutch importers to special order two Nemesis GTS they either tried to sell me different radiators that I did not want but which they had in stock, or replied saying we can’t order anything from Hardware Labs for you, or didn’t even bother to reply).
Another great review FF, thanks.
Some surprising results for the SE! Man, I yell ya, I am giving up trying to make predictions. I was concerned that the move to 1.5mms tubes would mean high restriction but it’s really quite reasonable. Quite disappointing thermal results that is hard to understand considering how well it’s thicker brother did.
I guess it just shows how valuable your work is because we just can’t make any assumptions.
Hey Jak,
Yeah this one was pretty low across the board.
I Just finished another 360mm slim rad, it was weaker than the SE with low speed fans, especially in Push Only, but turned out to dominate in the high speed fans because it has a very high FPI count.
I used to try and make predictions, but but doing so can be dangerous, as the predictions can slip easily into assumptions, which in turn tend to make you look for patterns in the data which may or may not end up being there. At this stage you’re questioning the validity of the results, and do a retest, only to get the same results.
Better for sanity’s sake to accurately set the test parameters, and then trust the data that is logged.
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