MODTHEBOX would like to thank Mark from Chill-Tek
for providing the Mitron Glacial-X Radiator for review.
Introduction:
One of the great things about the computer modification community is the infinite amount of choices
available to consumers looking to tweak their systems. Every day, the industry is seeing new products
to make systems look better and run cooler. As water cooled systems become more popular, those choices
are broadening out to meet demand. Where once a few key players dominated the end-user market, now there
are multiple kits and individual components users can select from to create a custom cooling solution.
There is, however, one notable exception to the rule: radiators. Unless you buy an all-encompassing kit,
there are really only two choices for high performance water coolers; a Black Ice radiator or a do-it-yourself
heater core. Compound that with unwillingly novice or intermediate users having to solder their own connectors
to a heater core and risk a leak, the Black Ice becomes an almost assumed purchase. Today in the MTB Labs, we
looking at one alternative from Chill-Tek, the Mitron Glacial-X Radiator. A product that looks comparible to
the Black Ice Extreme but at a fraction of the cost.
Specifications:
Mitron is a Chinese-based firm who specializes in water cooling and noise reduction. The Mitron Glacier-X is a
single 120mm fan radiator designed for use with either 3/8" or 1/2" systems. The unit looks very similar to
the Black Ice line of products from HW-Labs, but boasts more economical pricing. Here are some specifications
taken directly from the Mitron website:
The unit ships in a standard retail box with very little fanfare. A blue wave covers the majority of the packaging,
with a small text label that reads "Noise Isolator" in the top right hand corner. The unit itself is very simply
packed in bubble wrap to protect it from damage. Since the only real damage to the unit would be puncture damage
(which very few packing materials have 100% success fighting against) or bent fins, the packing is adequate for
the product in question.
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
After unpacking the unit, my initial impression was that I had unpacked a Black Ice Pro radiator. With the exception
of some mounting holes and barbs, the units look very similar. The Glacial-X ships with a jet black finish and a
closer visual inspection of the fins showed no bends or paint clots to minimize overall efficiency of the unit. The
unit measures in at 130mm x 160mm x 30mm. This gives it an identical footprint to a Black Ice Extreme radiator with
one notable exception: depth. The Glacial-X is about two thirds the depth of a Black Ice Extreme unit. Users looking
for low-profile radiators will welcome the smaller footprint, but overall heat dissipation may not be as good as a
larger, or rather deeper, heater core.
