Technical Specifications and Features listed by Swiftech.
An interesting point in the feature list below is in the very first line: “fans featuring medium air output (1000 to 1800 rpm“. This seems slightly inconsistent with what we find on the Swiftech’s information page for the MCR320-XP that states “we recommend selecting a radiator in the XP series for applications where fans will run from 1200 RPM and above“. We will find out which is more correct when we review our test results.
Features.
The following technical drawing of the MCR320-XP is courtesy of Swiftech. It is actually the MCR-320-QP in the drawing, but as mentioned previously the XP and QP are the same size – i.e. same side panels, return end and port tanks.
Dimensions Measured on the Radiator Tested:
Radiator Core Dimensions:
Our measurements pr the MCR320-XP were virtually identical to the QP version, give or take ~1mm. and also matched (close enough) Swiftech’s tech drawing dimensions.
One thing which stands out though is that our sample has a 16 FPI count where as Swiftech state 20 FPI for the MCR320-XP.
The other difference which in a way makes our sample slightly different is the core thickness. The fins on both sides of the core sit proud of the tubes which makes the core measure slightly thicker than the specified 20mm. Our sample would likely measure 20mm at the tubes, but we measure 22mm at the fins.
The 22mm thick core is based on a single row of twelve 2mm thick tubes arranged in the standard 2 pass U-Flow configuration. The fin arrangement consists of single, coarsely louvered fins which have a 16 FPI count. This thin, medium density core does not seem designed for eXtreme Performance as the Swiftech naming would have us believe. We have no doubt it will perform better with high fan speeds than the QPK model (13 FPI), but we’ll hold off on judgement about the “eXtremeness” of the MCR320-XP until we analyze the data.
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. just as the MCR320-XP has.
The fins are spaced reasonably even between the tubes for a medium fin count such as this. Our sample had an average fin count of 16 FPI which is 20% less than the specified 20 FPI.
Finish and Features
As with our QPK sample, the “satin black” painted finish of MCR320-XP is fairly rough in texture and has a significant brown tinge to it. The photos of the radiator alone don’t show it very well, but keep an eye out for our photos with black fans or fittings which give a good contrast to the brownish color of the radiator finish.
I am admittedly a fan of a matte black finish on radiators, even satin black looks good, but the finish on the MCR320-XP is not black, so we are somewhat disappointed in this department.
Company logos in conspicuous places is not something we favor, especially when they are placed so that there is a 50/50 chance that the logo will be upside down when the component is installed. The MCR320-XP has the Swiftech logo stamped onto both side panels. Done this way the logo is rather inconspicuous while still serving it’s advertising purpose. The logo will be upside down for a floor mounted installation and the correct way up when the radiator is roof mounted.
The MCR320-XP is equipped with just 2 G 1/4 ports in total, either of which can be used for inlet or outlet.
On our review sample one port had been polished, while the other had not. Interestingly, our MCR320-QPK sample had received the same treatment – but the opposite port had been polished.
The port end tanks have been designed to purge air from the radiator quickly by implementing an angled shape that doesn’t leave any dead “flow zones”. We think functionality of the design is great and should assist in faster bleeding of the entire water cooling loop, however we’re not totally convinced about the aesthetic appeal of the angled tanks.
No alternative port options are fitted on the MCR320-XP.
Unfortunately there is no dedicated fill/drain port on the return end either.
The port positions are well placed on the MCR320-XP allowing for installation of even the largest fittings such as Bitspower’s 1/2″ x 3/4″ Compression fittings as seen in the following photo. Here we also see that the fan position is set back from the end of the radiator core which is good for large fittings, but the gap of exposed core is hardly ideal for maintaining a high static pressure and airflow through the radiator.
The photo above is a good example in which to see the brownish finish of the radiator in comparison to the black fan which is fitted.
Unfortunately our MCR320-XP ports have been installed rather askew.
The left hand side port is considerably worse.
We realize, or at least hope this is a manufacturing/quality control error. Whatever the cause this is unacceptable and we would have been quick to RMA this radiator had it been purchased. RMA is a great safety net and all, but when the purchaser has to pay up for return postage and suffer the inconvenience of going without the returned item for weeks (if not longer) RMA’ing items is not such a glamorous procedure to have to endure.
Straight ports are especially important when installing hard line tubing as levelness of the tube is crucial to the visual appeal. Users face enough challenges during a build without having to compensate for antigoglin ports by making custom angle bends.
With hard line tubes in place, the level of catawampus is even more apparent.
The above image also shows us that not all the screw holes were aligned straight.
Screw protection plates are not fitted under the M3.5 threaded mounting holes. Protection Plates are a feature we wish all manufacturers would incorporate. Swiftech acknowledge that puncture by mounting screws is the biggest cause of radiator damage yet a simple design change could significantly reduce this risk.
Not having protection plates fitted on the MCR320-QPK is especially disappointing when the design has tubes placed under every mounting hole.
Having said that, the inbuilt shroud depth is ~6mm on both faces of the MCR320-XP, so when fitting a standard 25mm thick fan with the supplied 30mm long screws a ~1mm of clearance remains between the core and the end of the screws.
The 15mm fan spacing is as good as one can expect (please excuse the slightly offset ruler in the photo) and we had no dramas fitting a few different sets of 120mm fans.
As we have seen a few of radiators with poorly located fan mounting holes, we also take these measurements to check that specs are being adhered to during manufacturing.
The measurements across the radiator were on the verge of being unacceptable and rely a bit too much on wiggle room of the fan holes to be usable without issues.
Measurements length-ways down the radiator were fine.
The MCR320-XP is a 2 port slim 360mm radiator with a medium density fin array between reasonably thick 2mm tubes. The “black” finish has room for improvement and it’s missing a few features we like to see. The tank design is good and overall, the radiator feels solidly built, however the quality control issue of the ports lingers in our mind.
Let’s see how it performs…
