HWLabs SR2 140 Multi-Port Radiator Review

Hardware Labs SR2 140 Multi-Port Radiator Review

Welcome to another Extreme Rigs review. Today we’re again in 140mm radiator territory.  This time it’s the SR2 140 Multi-Port from Hardware Labs receiving the Extreme Rigs attention. This 140mm radiator with a ton of port options certainly looks interesting.  The SR2 series of radiators are the successors to the the original SR1.  The SR1 focussed on low speed fans, while the SR2 also focuses on high coolant flow.  The SR2 MP is an update for the SR2 which were originally released with just single port options. The low density core is touted to be “Optimized for sub-800 rpm ultra-stealth fans” which proved to be be an accurate statement when we tested the 360mm version earlier in the year. Will the 140mm perform as well ? We’ll find out how it performs and much much more as we take a close look at the what makes the SR2 140 MP tick.

HWLabs have again been kind enough to supply review samples for our radiator reviews.  This includes this SR2 140 Multi-Port that we’ll be focusing on today.  A big thanks to the crew at HWLabs for their continued support!

Once again we would like to say thanks to Noctua for providing the NF-A14 Industrial PPC-2000 IP67 PWM 140mm fans which are being used in the thermal chamber.

What’s in the Box?

The SR2 140 MP review sample arrived in full retail packaging. Existing packaging from the now EOL (end of life) SR2 140 has been used.  The “MP MuiltiPort” labeling is a sticker which has been placed on the front of the retail sleeve.

On the back of the retail sleeve a detailed technical drawing is provided along with a list of features. Because the sleeve is from the original single port SR2 140, there is no reference to the Multi-Port feature anywhere to be found.  Nor are the extra ports shown on the technical drawing. We can confirm that the extra ports are the only difference between the new and old versions, so we expect to see the packaging updated in the future.
Removing the retail sleeve we find a sturdy cardboard box with a factory sealed sticker.

The seal is a reminder to use correct length mounting hardware, which we’ll touch on again a bit later.

I really like the HWLabs style of boxing as the compartment at one end keeps the provided accessories away from the core. It would be nice to see a bubble wrap sleeve over the rad, but otherwise the SR2 140 MP has great packaging that should ensure safe arrival to the end user.

Under the flap on the right hand side, we found 3 bags with the supplied accessories.

Extent of delivery:

1 x SR2 140 Multi-Port Radiator.
4 x M4 x 28mm screws.
4 x M4 x 5mm screws.
4 x Port Plugs (extras) .

Enough screws are provided to mount a single fan to one side of the radiator using the 28mm screws. Because the port plugs protrude ~4mm from the casing the 5mm screws can not be used to mount the radiator to a chassis unless the chassis has cutouts for the ports. We questioned HWLabs about the supplied screw lengths for the SR2 MP series and we were informed that the 5mm screws are  “part of the standard screw package” and retained so as to provide options for “other bracket mounted accessories.”
This is a fair call and we like the inclusion of the short screws for the mounting of pump or reservoir brackets on the inside of the case:

Our biggest concern is that the supplied 28mm screws (which are the perfect length for attaching a fan directly to the radiator) are not long enough in most instances to mount a fan between a chassis panel and the radiator.

We attempted to fit a fan between the radiator and 6 different case panels of varying thickness. We had “success” only once, with a 1.1mm thick panel belonging to an InWin chassis. When we say “success”, it was because we could not even get one full turn of the screw.  This is hardly ideal and is not sufficient in our opinion to consider the radiator truly secure.

Effectively this means that the radiator can not be mounted securely, if at all, to your chassis with the provided screws. How annoyed will you be when you discover you can not fit your new radiator to your case because the supplied screws sets are the wrong size.

For most case panels and brackets (up to 2.5mm thickness) M4 x 30mm screws are going to be required.  Alternatively an 8mm screw coupled with a gasket would also be an option.

HWlabs seem very hesitant about providing 30mm screws as part of the “standard screw package” because “with a longer screw the possibility of damaging the core would be greater.”  We totally agree with this, the risk is higher because if 30mm screws (instead of the 28mm) were used to mount a fan directly to the radiator the screws would be touching the screw protection plates.  However clear labeling would significantly lower the risk of using the wrong length screws.  We hope that HWLabs will change their mind and also include 30mm screws along with a specific warning only to use them for mounting to a chassis.  The buyer is for now advised to purchase their own M4x30mm screws from their favorite hardware vendor.

HWLabs also provides 4 spare port plugs with the Multi-Port version of the SR2 140. These are in addition to 6 plugs that are pre-installed in 6 of the 8 the ports of the radiator. This is fantastic because the radiator is ready for flushing straight from the box. A total of 10 stop fittings is supplied then, which is great, but somewhat overkill. Because of this HWLabs had to keep the cost down and so these are not made of brass but instead of POM, aka Delrin. In other words they are plastic and if you note there is an allen key socket in the head for tightening it.

HWLabs recommends only using fingers to tighten down the port plugs. However, given that using an allen key is an optional method of tightening/loosening these plugs, we found the recessed key rounds off after a couple of uses.

Despite HWLabs’ hand tightening recommendation we discovered that some of the hex key slots on the pre-installed port plugs were already partly rounded off. Presumably the rounding off was caused from having been tightened with a tool during assembly.  We were unable to remove half of the pre-fitted stop plugs by hand. Some of those then rounding off and needle nose pliers were required to loosen off the remaining stop plugs.

Ultimately end users will decide whether or not they choose to replace these factory fitted plugs with plated/painted brass ones. I suspect that most will be happy to keep the stock plugs in place as they certainly function perfectly and look good too. HWLabs have made a good decision to include all the port plugs (inc. the 4 extra) and so the cost saving benefit of using the plastic material is justified.

Onwards to technical specifications!