First Look: Feser xChanger 480

2 CommentsBy H2O on February 7, 2010

Over the last several years, the computer radiator market has become increasing crowded. Gone are the days of enthusiasts going to junk yards and digging heater cores out of old cars, the computer radiator business is now a lucrative market for the large manufactures, and there are currently no less than nine different brands of radiators. Hardware Labs, Koolance, Thermochill, Swiftech, XSPC, and EK, among others, vie for your business, throwing so many graphs and charts at you that it makes your head spin. Some manufactures sell radiators by pushing the envelope as Magicool did with the Xtreme Nova 1080, which is one of the biggest computer radiators to date at 9x 120mm. Others take a different approach. Thermochill established a strong brand royalty over the years, and their PA radiators remain extremely popular, even with their quirks. Feser’s radiators may not be the best performing, but you pay for the quality of radiator that you get. And, oh man, do you get quality.

Packaging:

Yes, this radiator comes with a serial number

The Feser xChanger 480 comes packaged in a large purple box, which immediately grabs the eye. The box has the specifications and performance numbers printed in twelve different languages, and stuck on the side is a holographic sticker with the serial number printed on it. Wait, this radiator has a serial number? Oh, yes, my friends. This is but one of the perks of owning a $170 radiator. Upon opening the box, you are greeted by a number of cards, one for the warranty information , and a second card with the same holographic sticker that is on the outside, telling you that you have just purchased a genuine Feser product. After the cards, there are two bags containing three different sizes of countersunk black oxidized screws, and then there is a third bag containing four silicon anti-vibration pads for the fans. Feser even included a bottle of its anti-corrosive additive to use in your loop. Impressed? Well, if you aren’t, this next statement should impress you. The radiator itself comes packaged in an anti-corrosive VCI bag, and when opened, the smell of fresh paint greets you. My radiator’s paint was still even a little tacky when taken out of the bag. The radiator arrived in near perfect condition, with only a few slightly bent fins and a small lump in the paint to detract from its drop-dead gorgeous looks. On the sides of the radiator, the Feser and xChanger logos are stamped into the sides of the radiator the let all of your friends know which brand of radiator you are using. The two G1/4″ threads are plugged with two stoppers, to prevent any unwanted material to enter the radiator during shipping and storage. Wrapping up the exterior, there is a bleed valve screw at the top of the radiator that helps bleed all of the air out of the radiator when it is mounted in an upright position with the barbs at the bottom.

The xChanger 480 with GentleTyphoon 1850RPM fans

Performance:

Doing an in-depth performance review is outside the scope of this article, and I lack the specialized equipment to run such tests. Luckily, Martin Liquid Labs did a comparison between the xChanger 480 and the Hardware labs GTX 480. Martin found that the xChanger 480 had much lower restriction, and when using fans at ~1900RPM or below, the Feser had lower temps than the GTX 480. (Full review Here .)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Feser xChanger 480 is one of the best radiators that you can currently buy. The xChanger 480 sets itself apart from other radiators with excellent packaging, a mind-boggling number of accessories and features, and a solid 3 year warranty. When it comes to performance, the Feser does not back down, beating the GTX480 up until the 1900RPM point. While the GTX480 is still the best choice for hard-core overclockers using 2000+RPM fans, and the SR1 and XSPC radiators rule the 500RPM-1200RPM segment, the Feser xChanger 480 is one of the best all-around radiators that you buy.

More Pictures: