The MCW60™ VGA waterblock

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:28 pm

For all you water cooling people out there that are looking for a new GPU block to cool your new video card, Swiftech has just released a new block that is designed along the same lines as there new APOGEE CPU block.

http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcw60.asp

Post by **Apoptosis** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:37 pm

how think is the base? Can't really tell from that view.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:42 pm

They say it's based on the APOGEE CPU block, and I have that block here at home. It's not as high of quality as the Storm block, but it's still better than most out there. I should have one sometime next week, so I'll let you know. From the pics, I like the design and layout, it looks alot better than the PolarFlo GPU blocks I'm using right now.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:02 pm

oo i like that design

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:14 pm

That type od design is a bit on the old side, Swiftech has just updated it a bit for improved flow. But it works well on the CPU block, I get around the same performance with the lower priced APOGEE as I was getting with the high dollar Storm block.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:20 pm

yeah that was what i was looking at, because i need a crap load of xeon 603/604 water blocks and the MCP 6000 series is hard to find now

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:24 pm

I'd go for the APOGEE block then, but they did have a proble with copper shaving in the first production batch, that's why they went to the bead blasting, totally cleans all the junk out after the machining process..............

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:01 pm

Bio....is there much of a differnce between the Storm and APOGEE blocks????
I need a new waterblock and will be buying this month.....As some may know, I'm removing the IHS off my X2...My current block won't fit correctly after "the removal" Soo?

I've read the 2 blocks are the same but???

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:18 pm

With the IHS installed, you won't see any differance between the 2 blocks, at least on my tests and others that I read there wasn't any and I've used both for several months now.
But if you're removing the IHS I think you'll see mybe 2 degrees better temps with the Storm depending on what pump you're using. Both blocks work well with low flow pumps, but the Storm really shines with higher flow.
Lee over at system did some real indepth reviews on both block and tested them on a die simulator, so you may want to check them out. Basicly the Storm centers it's cooling power over the center of the CPU where the die sits which offers better cooling with the IHS removed, where the APOGEE spreads it's cooling out over the entire area of the IHS which helps cool better with the spreader installed.
So in your case with you removing the spreader, I'd opt for the Storm if you're running a fairly strong pump like the Swiftech MCP655 or the older MCP650 or their Danger Den brothers.

http://www.systemcooling.com/swiftech_apogee-01.html

http://www.systemcooling.com/swiftech_storm-01.html

http://www.systemcooling.com/swiftech_mcp655-01.html

kenc51 · Post by **kenc51** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:41 pm

I use a single MCP350...with a single 120mm and a dual 120mm rad......So @ the moment my flow rate is very poor...but when i get the waterblock I'm going to get another MCP350 along with the block.....I'll checkout that review Bio, thanks!.....I think I'll go with the Apogee......Cheaper for basically the same performance!

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:29 pm

my problem is cost.... i really cant afford to spend $50 per water block. i have 5 dual xeon systems so i need 10 blocks.... thats $500 if i have to buy the apogee!!!!!

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:37 pm

$500 would be a bit much just for water blocks.................

I bet if you look around you could maybe find a close out somewhere and get some older style cheap.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:00 pm

or for that price i may just hit up a local machine shop

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:27 am

First impressions of the block, the build quality is exactly the same as the APOGEE CPU block.

Mounting is super easy and mount brackets for both ATI and Nvidia are included. And it also comes with the Copper BGA heat sinks.

First run after completing the leak test, GPU temps down by 2c over my PolarFlo TT GPU block. And because of the reduced flor restriction that Swiftech advertises, the CPU load temp also dropped 1c on a average.

Post by **Apoptosis** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:25 am

always nice to see CPU temps decrease from a GPU block change!

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:29 am

I was totally surprized to se the performance increase of the overall cooling system. Just a added plus to the block.