Alphacool NexXxos ST30 280mm Radiator Review

Thermal Performance

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

Note: Our test group of 10 radiators range in thickness from 29.5mm to 84.5mm with core density ranging from 9 FPI to 21 FPI. This greatly differing array of samples means that the better performing thicker radiators (generally speaking) will actually make the thinner radiators scores appear worse. This is an unavoidable side effect of the scoring system and we again advise readers to focus on radiators which are suitable for the specific case scenario. Depending on the amount of variance in the results, this could end up with misleading scores based on the comparative performance.

Push Only Thermal Performance

• 2/5
  

The ST30 280’s Push Only APF result of 84.6% translated into a performance score of 2/5.
While it was competitive at the 750rpm data point, it is best suited for medium fan speeds. Unfortunately it was out-muscled by the thicker cored radiators.

Push/Pull Thermal Performance

• 1/5
  

The Push/Pull APF result of 78.8 translated into a thermal performance score of 1 out of 5. The Nemesis 280 GTX which scored a perfect 100 in this category with outstanding thermal results pushed all the other rad’s scores down. Having said that, the ST30 280 was still ~11% behind the best of the slim radiators.

Overall Thermal Performance

• 1.5/5
  

The Master Performance score of 81.7 generates a well below average performance score of 1.5/5. This system generated score seems reasonably fair given that the ST30 280 finished among the bottom 3 results in all 6 thermal tests conducted. Again the Nemesis GTX pushed many other radiator’s scores lower having an APF result of 98.2.

Performance is not the be all and end all factor in making a purchase decision, though for many it is high on the selection criteria.

Because the ST30 is so thin it did score quite well in our Space Efficiency and Value metrics, taking 3rd place in both those comparisons which do factor in thermal performance..

Features & Quality – 2/5

The ST30 280 has steel side panels which keep this very thin radiator from feeling flimsy. The end tanks are brass with copper tubes and fins which are spaced quite evenly. The satin black finish is excellent and we are very pleased that Alphacool radiators now have internal cleanliness which is acceptable.

The 29.5mm overall thickness of the sample is hard to overlook as the dominant physical characteristic of the ST30 280. Furthermore the core is just 16.5mm thick which is very thin indeed and is the main contributing factor to it’s heat dissipation potential.

The ST30 is only fitted with 2 x G 1/4 ports which is a little uninspiring, but of more concern is that the placement of the ports means many fittings can not be used when a fan is fitted to the port side of the radiator.

Tube protection plates are fitted which we always like to see, however the fan screw holes above them were a major problem on the ST30 280. Due to the holes being out of square and the spacing being inaccurate meant that fans ended up attached a bit crooked and only 3 screws could be used to attach the fans.

The thin core was best suited to medium speed fan assemblies which makes sense given it’s 16 FPI fin spacing.

The ST30’s medium restriction level will not pose any issues for pump power requirements when planning out a loop of average size containing the usual components.

Summary – 2/5

Extreme Rigs is an independent review site, however we do rely on our sponsors continuous and generous  support to keep bringing you the reviews we do. Occasionally we have a product come across the review benches which after thorough testing and scrutiny just does not meet our expectations. We firmly believe that we are correct in continuing to publish our findings based on what we observe. We understand that sponsors may get frustrated with our review style and some companies have ceased to communicate with us  because one of their products may have received some unfavorable results and/or comments in a review.
We sincerely hope that will not be the case with Aqua Tuning and Alphacool who have both been fantastic long term sponsors.

Today we had one of those products which failed to meet expectations in many aspects. Occasionally quality control issues get missed at manufacturing and we accept that is part of business. We would still welcome another sample to compare to the one we already have and advise readers of our findings. If nothing else it proves that review samples are not “cherry picked” for reviewers (at least not in this case).

The NexXxos ST30 280 from Alphacool proved to have lack-luster performance in all of our thermal performance tests. This is due to it having the thinnest core which is just not capable of great heat dissipation. In fact it proved to be the worst of the test group and was a considerable margin behind even the other slim 280mm radiators. The Space Efficiency and Value metrics were more favorable for the ST30 280mm so there were a couple of positives based on it’s thermal performance results.

The finish on the ST30 280 is very good and we really like how clean the internals of the current Alphacool radiators are. The shape of the radiator is very traditional with it’s two exposed end tanks which have just one set of G 1/4 ports.

Unfortunately those good points are overshadowed by some poor execution at manufacturing with the fan mounting holes being so far out of whack that a full set of screws can not be used when attaching a fan. Additionally what I would call a design oversight has the ports placed so close to the core that many fittings can not be installed when fans are fitted on the port side. If this was a radiator I had purchased, I would be taking it back and looking for a different option.

The ST30 280mm is not a radiator we can recommend as there are superior performing slim radiators available, but more importantly there are issues with the design and quality control which need addressing.

We hope to be able to bring you an update in the near future if/when another review sample is approved.

Where to buy:

• Aqua Tuning : Black $71.41 (incl. VAT) + shipping
• Aqua Tuning : Black €67.99 (incl. VAT) + shipping