Technical specifications: as listed on the box.
• Material: Copper fins, Brass chambers with brass threads.
• Color: Black.
• Dimensions: (L x W x H): 196.5 x 145 x 60.2mm.
• Connection threads: 4 x G1/4″.
• Weight: approx. 982g.
• Mounting threads: M3 On both sides for fans or chassis mounting.
• Fan size compatibility: 1x 140mm (each side).
• Pressure tested: 2 Bar.
• Other features: Air Bleed Screw.
Dimensions Measured on the Radiator Tested:
The first + 5 is the approximate extra length that needs to be added for port plugs if fitted to the 2 alternate G1/4 ports, while the second + 5 is the length the bleeder screw protrudes from the return end tank.
So with port plugs fitted the overall length is likely to be closer to 206mm than the listed 196.5mm. Likewise if port plugs are to be fitted to the primary front facing ports approximately 4 – 5mm should be added to the thickness.
Radiator Core Dimensions:
Of interest in the core dimensions is the core length of 150mm which is 10mm longer than the standard 140mm fan. This leaves a gap at both ends of the fan which has no apparent benefit and it is more likely we lose some air flow through the rad by air escaping out of these gaps.
The core is made up of 2 rows of 14 tubes arranged in the standard U-Flow configuration. The fin arrangement is made of single louvered fins with a 12 FPI count. The low fin count should equate to some decent Push Only results, and may even stay competitive in Push/Pull.
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 such as the G-Changer 140 has.
The single louvered fins are spaced very evenly between the tubes and our sample measured in at ~12 FPI.
Finish and Features
The G-Changer 140 has a satin black finish and while a couple of blemishes are noticeable on the surface, overall the finish looks very good. All visible joints look good and so there is not much to complain about in terms of construction and finish.
The Phobya logo has been stamped on each of the steel side panels and the end tank which we feel is taking company branding just a bit too far.
It is likely that in some installations (floor mount) the side logo will end up being upside down.
It seems that for the V2 version pictured below the panel stamping has stopped and as a much better alternative, stickers are supplied instead.
There are no screw protection plates fitted on our G-Changer 140.
This is an unfortunate oversight as the fan screw holes are just over the top of the tubes.
Thankfully the built in shrouds are very generous in depth on both sides, 8mm and 9mm, so it would take a major oversight to puncture a tube by using incorrect length screws. The potential however does still exist and we would prefer that protection plates were fitted on all radiators, but especially those with tubes in the firing line.
The G-Changer 140 comes equipped with 4 x G1/4 ports in total, 2 each inlet and outlet to choose from.
The port locations allow for easy integration into a loop in either vertical or horizontal installations.
Extra ports offer the flexibility to install coolant temp sensors and drain/fill options, so we always like having extra G1/4 ports to choose from.
On the return end tank is a bleeder plug intended to allow the user to more easily bleed air from the loop while filling the system.
While in theory the bleeder screw is a good idea, rear chassis installations is perhaps the only time when the screw might be accessible.
It seems that on the G-Changer V2, the bleeder screw has been upgraded to a G1/4 port allowing more flexibility with the installation. Image courtesy of AquaTuning.
Care has been taken during painting to ensure paint did not get into any of the Brass G ¼ ports. On our version the end tanks are made of Brass, however the newer V2 version the tank material has been upgraded to copper.
The G-Changer 140 is looking great and ready for business.
So here we have a 60mm thick, 140mm size radiator with a reasonably low fin count that has 4 port options plus a bleeder screw. The build quality is great, and the finish on the sample while not perfect was acceptable.
Let’s see how it performs…
