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 from 75% in relative performance adding 0.5 to the awarded performance score.
Note On Thermal Performance Scores Below: The XT30 X-Flow is being scored comparatively against results from a very small test group of only 3 other radiators (plus one modified version). Of those 4 other scores being compared against, there is only one other slim radiator. That being the case we are putting very little emphasis on the summary scores that follow and we urge readers to do the same. Instead we advise to go back through the review and use the comparative performance scores that relate to your intended fan set-up and speed.
Push Only Thermal Performance
- 3.5/5
The ST30 X-Flow’s Push Only APF result of 91.2% translated into a performance score of 3.5/5. Compared to the other slim radiator in the group it had weaker performance at low fans speeds but improved as the fan speeds got higher.
Push/Pull Thermal Performance
- 4/5
The Push/Pull APF result of 93.7 translated into a thermal performance score of 4 out of 5. The ST30 X-Flow proved to be a good all-round performer with a Push/Pull fan assembly. It even topped the chart at 750 RPM where the single pass seemed to have the advantage over the other radiators in the group.
Overall Thermal Performance
- 4/5
The Master Performance score of 92.4 generated an above average score of 3.5 and was painfully close to being a 4/5. Performance was never expected to be amazing, being a slim radiator, but I think it’s fair to say that we were pleasantly surprised that the ST30 X-Flow did as well in the comparisons as it did.
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.
Features & Quality – 4.5/5
Many of the radiators on the market are lacking the features we like to see, particularly the slim radiators. The ST30 X-Flow bucks the trend as it sports just about everything we want on a PC radiator.
Well designed end tanks with multiple port options are great. The tube protection plates are a great design and the ST30 X-Flow appears puncture proof when fans are installed using the provided custom length screws. The slim design means it can fit in spaces many others can’t and the X-Flow design means less tubing is required to plumb up the system which results in a cleaner overall look.
The build quality and finish was almost perfect and the unit feels very solid without any twist or flex. The satin black paint finish is excellent but we do wish that the port threads were not painted in the process. The single louvered fins were very evenly spaced between the tubes, but our sample had a slightly lower FPI count than the specifications indicate.
The core seems biased towards medium and high speed fans, and being X-Flow it will perform better with higher coolant flow rates. We can’t say with any certainty what the low flow cut off point would be before a laminar flow prevails, but we would not advise a system flow rate much lower than the 1.0 GPM. No matter what flow rate you settle on restriction levels on the ST30 X-Flow will never be a problem and therefore not pose any issues for pump power requirements.
Summary – 4/5
The ST30 X-Flow proved to be a solid all round performer which has a slight bias towards higher air flow through the slim, medium dense core. Design and quality control is excellent and with it now available for under $70 we think it’s reasonably priced. Please keep in mind that we advise a system flow rate of at least 1.0 GPM for the ST30 X-Flow.
For many years X-Flow radiators were the ugly duckling of the radiator market. We’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for them purely for the less complicated tube routing with either soft tubing or hard tube. As more emphasis than ever is placed on the aesthetics of custom water cooled PC’s (cooling potential has pretty much peaked) we believe that X-Flow radiators will becoming more commonplace in the builds you drool over in the forums.
The ST30 X-Flow is a great 360mm option because it’s slim, is X-Flow, has a very low restriction level, has extra port options and it’s a decent performer. We can’t ask for much more.
Extreme Rigs Silver Award.
Where to buy:
Aqua Tuning: Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 360mm $74.58 + shipping
Alphacool Store: Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 360mm €71.95 + shipping from Europe
Performance PCs: Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 360mm $74.95 + shipping from USA
ModMyMods: Alphacool ST30 X-Flow 360mm $67.45 + shipping from USA
Are there some thicker cross flow radiator on the market?
Alphacool also have x-flow versions of their other radiators such as the XT45 and UT60. If you want thickest I think the UT60 is the only choice out there 🙂
Is this the best cooling 30mm rad on the market? Thanks!
In general the Black Ice Nemesis GTS generally seems to perform the best out of any slim radiators though the tradeoff is that it’s very high restriction.
Does that cancel out their overall performance though (which seems excellent)? I would have thought for the vast majority loops the Nemesis GTS would still be the best choice when seeking a low RPM rad solution?
Not usually in my opinion, but if you are going to run a bunch in series with a weak pump, then yes it may.
In the 360mm size?
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