Thermal Performance

Thermal Performance scores are derived from the relevant Performance Factor scores. We set this scale with 72.5% and below as the 0 mark, with each 2.5% increase from 75% in relative performance adding 0.5 to the awarded performance score.

Note: In a small test group of just five radiators the performance scores do not have a lot of other data to be compared against. Depending on the amount of variance in the results, this could end up with misleading scores based on the comparative performance.

As it turned out there was one radiator which dominated the thermal performance comparisons and each other radiator’s performance was pretty much measured against it as the benchmark.

We must mention that there are likely to be better performing 140mm radiators available which if tested and the results added to our group data would impact on the APF results for every radiator, but as we have just the 5 samples that is what we must score with/against.

Push Only Thermal Performance

  • 4/5

The CE 140’s Push Only APF result of 92.5% translated into a very respectable performance score of 4/5. It’s thinner core with a much higher FPI fin count was equal to that of the HWL SR2 which is thicker but has a lower fin count. In our 420mm tests these two radiators also had identical results.

Push/Pull Thermal Performance

  • 3.5/5

The Push/Pull APF result of 90.7 translated into a thermal performance score of 3.5 out of 5. The CE 140 had great results in this category having 2 x second places and a third. It was The Nemesis GTX which dominated that pushed all the other rad’s scores down.

Overall Thermal Performance

  • 3.5/5

The Master Performance score of 91.6 generates a respectable overall performance score of 3.5/5 especially given how dominant the winning radiator was. Based on the numbers generated this gives the CE 140 a 4th place overall finish.  However our test error margin is on the limits here with the 2nd to 4th place rads, so effectively we have to call a three way tie for 2nd place.

Features & Quality – 4/5

The CE 140 from EK features the now standard boxy outer casing which is quite stylish and yet inconspicuous at the same time. The paint finish is decent but could be better. The outer casing can be easily removed for custom painting.

There is only one set of ports on the CE 140, no alternate ports and no ancillary ports so we were left wanting in this department. Also missing are tube protection plates under the fan mounting holes which we believe should be a standard feature these days even if the holes are no located directly above the tubes.

The core is slightly biased towards for medium to high airflow, due to it’s medium thickness 16 FPI core. With a reasonably high FPI count the CE 140 will need cleaning more often than some other radiators.
The medium restriction level should not pose any issues for pump power requirements when planning out your loop, even with multiple CE series radiators in the system.

Summary – Silver Award 4.0/5

The CE 140 proved to be a great all round thermal performer when compared against the other 140mm radiators that we tested. It has a medium restriction level and a medium high FPI count. The design is stylish, the build quality and finish are great, however there are no alternate ports.

It’s 45mm thickness and core design proved to be a perfect match for medium to high air flow scenarios, while still having excellent results with both low and high speed fans in both Push Only and Push/Pull. The space efficiency the CE offers is fantastic, but the cost is slightly higher than the competition to get equivalent performance.

It lacks any optional ports and the paint finish could be better, but it has a stylish design that balances size and performance very well.

Taking equal second place in the overall performance and being 25% thinner than the other 2 radiators with the same performance, The CE140 receives a thoroughly well deserved Silver Award.

Where to buy:

 

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

1 COMMENT

Comments are closed.