Veteran hardware reviewer Igor Wallossek has published an investigation into AiO CPU cooler radiator materials. Something must have got Wallossek’s spider senses tingling because his investigation into six branded designs uncovered three that were over-spec'd. By that, we mean half of the AiO brands sold radiators using different, cheaper materials than mentioned in their product data sheets, websites, or advertising. The most common switcheroo was advertising copper but instead using a copper/zinc alloy like brass.
Wallossek mentions in his eight pages of analysis that messages from readers sparked his interest in radiator materials. Some had complained about clogged pipes and tubes; others were concerned about unexplained corrosion. Thus, Wallossek’s materials investigations look not just at the radiator materials but at things like screws, nuts, channels, solder, factory liquids, and more.
