Case: Swiftech H20 Q Power Review :: Features

ATX Chassis supporting
• AMD® single & dual processor system boards
• Intel® single and dual Pentium® 3 Xeon®, Xeon® (Foster), and Pentium® 4 processors.

Case specifications

• DIMENSION (W*H*D): 21" x 18 1/4 x 9"
• MAIN BOARD SIZE: MS440GX, ATX
• DRIVE BAYS: 5.25"*4, 3.5"*2(FDD), 3.5"*1(1.6" height)(FDD) 3.5"*2(1" height), 3.5"*2(option)
• EXPANSION SLOT: 7 SLOTS
• POWER TYPE: ATX form factor (power supply not provided)
• METAL: SECC
• SHEET MECHANICAL: MEET FCC, CE
• GROSS WEIGHT: 40 lbs

Where to start, oh where to start? This case is really very simple and yet elegant in its unique design. Let us start off with the large and very accommodating internal space which can be used with any size motherboard, and I do mean any size from microATX to a full server form factor. Swiftech uses a Liteon advanced server case that was created to fit the large Intel server boards. It also comes with all the needed parts to help mount these boards in this case.

Most of the designs that I have seen in the past involve having the system incorporate a reservoir to collect and hold the liquid. The strange thing is that usually the pump is being cooled itself by being immersed in the same water cooling the CPU. This is self-defeating as you want the liquid to remain as cool as possible for the system itself. Swiftech uses a dual fan-cooled radiator that remains outside of the system, and an Eheim pump that does not require cooling in its design for maximum efficiency and cooling power.

Quality is where this case excels above it peer group and I wish Gabriel would have let me take pictures to show you how much care goes into every part, but he is one secretive chap in this area. All his copper parts are first lapped (a process of making the surface completely flat), and then hand polished to a semi-mirror finish using diamond paper, for the best contact surface you can get. Even a slight variance in the surface face can result in a bad contact, causing less than perfect results.

The case supports the use of four 51/4 drives and two 31/4 drives which is more than adequate for most situations. For your power supply I would suggest a good Enermax or comparable with at least a power rating of 350W or better for system stability. There are fans on the back, front, and side panel of the case for getting plenty of cool air flowing through the system, helping to ensure a constant temperature. I added an external temperature gauge so I could monitor the systems Celsius at any time.

There is also a filter between the front bottom panel and the systems intake fan to help keep out dust and other airborne varmints that could pollute your otherwise pristine system. One of the nice things about the case is that it doesn't have any sharp protruding edges to cut your flesh to ribbons, so you can work safely within the Q Power. The real feature here though lies within the cases ability to maintain a constant cool environment for your CPU. Let us check out the installation and performance as this where this case really shines.