Hardware Labs SR2 280 Multi-Port Radiator Review

Technical Specifications as listed by HWLabs:

• 140 mm x 2 fan Xtreme+ form factor 3-row radiator
• 312mm x 153mm x 60mm (L x W x H)
• 9 FPI 45 Micron Copper Fins
• Optimized for sub-800 rpm ultra-stealth fans
• Supercruise^™ optimizations for scalable performance with higher speed fans
• 50% more tubing area than the Black Ice^® SR1-280
• Increased internal coolant flow rates optimized for multi-stage cooling configurations
• Standard G 1/4″ inlet/outlet fittings
• Standard M4 mounting threads
• Compatible with Black Ice^® GTX^® 280 and Black Ice^® SR1^® 280 radiators
• Custom Black Carbon^™ high quality finish
• Fully ROHS Compliant
• 100% Made from conflict-free materials
• Industry standard Black Ice^® quality
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects

Dimensions Measured on the Radiator Tested:

Most HWLabs radiators are wider than other manufacturers and the SR2 280 MP is no different. Having a width of ~152.5mm it is ~7.5mm wider than most other competitors.

However please note that if the side ports are not being used, an extra 4mm for each side port must be added to the overall width to account for the stop fittings. This would make the overall width ~160mm and makes it the widest radiator of the test group.  This may cause interference in some installation situations, so it is advisable to check your available space before committing to purchase this radiator.

Radiator Core Dimensions:

The SR2 280 MP has a dual pass U-Flow core which is made up of 1.6mm flat style tubes in 3 layers which are 14 tubes wide. The fin arrangement is made of single louvered fins with a 9 FPI count. Three layers of quite wide tubes should equate to very low restriction. Just how this will effect cooling performance remains to be seen, but with a thick core and low fin count, we’re expecting to see some excellent results with medium speed fans

The following picture is a reference which shows a typical U-Flow coolant flow path, where the coolant travels up all the tubes on one side (left in pic) of the rad and then returns down the other side. U-Flow is most easily recognized when the port end has 2 separate tanks such as the SR2 280 MP has.

The single louvered fins are spaced extremely evenly between the 1.6mm tubes and the 9 FPI count matches HWLabs’ specs.

Finish and Features

The matte black finish on the review sample was excellent. There was one area of minor concern, which was more to do with one of the ports than the paint finish. Some excess material from fitting the port was left on the casing which was then painted over, nothing to get overly concerned about but noticeable none the less. Fan mounting holes are all positioned correctly.

The side, front and rear ports are recessed into the tanks which is a great effort at keeping the overall width and thickness as low as possible, but when port plugs are fitted the overall dimensions are increased. The 2 end ports are not recessed.

The SR2 MP series is also available in a satin white finish which has a black core.
At the time of writing a Special Edition is also available which has a white core and white housing.

The following images are courtesy of Performance PCs and show the 3 different finish options that the SR2 280 MP is currently available in. I suspect that the images might be renders supplied by HWLabs as no threads appear to be cut on the ports, and HWLabs do not paint the the inside of the ports as in the images.

Screw protection plates are fitted under every fan attachment hole of the SR2 280 MP.

The center fan spacing measures 15.5mm as per the the tech drawing.

The first technical drawing showed us a fan spacing of 124.5mm which is just about perfect for a 140mm fan which has a center spacing of ~125mm.

Fan spacing distances both across the radiator and lengthwise were all as good as could be hoped for.

Speaking of fans, let’s take a look at the SR2 280 MP with a few different fans attached.

The SR2 280 MP is equipped with 8 ports in total, 4 each inlet and outlet to choose from and HWLabs describe the port tanks as a manifold system.

Ports are fitted to every possible side of the port end tanks.

We love Multi-Port radiators for the increased freedom offer when planning/building the loop. Just some of the benefits might include less 90° fittings used, shorter tubing runs, fitting temperature sensors and/or fill port/drain tap depending on the installation orientation.

Unfortunately no ancillary port is fitted to the return end.

Depending on the installation orientation, ancillary ports often come in handy for fitting drain tap/fill ports or placement of temperature sensors. So while the tank end has the maximum count of available ports, we would like to see an ancillary fitted in a future revision.

As noted previously when the side facing ports are not used the port plugs protrude from the width of the casing.

The same applies for any of the ports which have plugs fitted.

Here a Bitspower jumbo sized 1/2″ x 3/4″ compression fitting which is 25.5mm wide is installed with a fan attached. This took a little manipulation to get the fitting in when the fan was already attached. Therefore we would advise that 25mm wide fittings are the largest that could be used when fans are installed on the same side.

Care has been taken to avoid paint getting onto the thread of the ports. It’s small details like this which make for carefree integration into your loop and avoiding any unnecessary maintenance issues.

So here we have a 60mm thick radiator with a low FPI count that is sporting a massive total of 8 port options. Screw protection plates are installed but we have compatibility issues with the supplied screws. Overall the build quality and matte black paint finish was excellent but one review sample did have one minor blemish. So far so good.

Let’s see how it performs…