Second in line for scrutiny today is Swiftech's successor to their water block line, logically named the MCW30. Before we study the stunning similarities and shocking differences, it's worth grabbing a moment of time to examine the packaging, and subsequently, the contents. Much like the Apogee, (and just about every other Swiftech product), the MCW30 comes nestled amongst a forest of foam deep within its cardboard box. Cracking the lid open, we received
- A well done instruction manual
- A full tube of Arctic Silver Ceramique
- Two sets of hose barbs (1/2" and 3/8". Europeans get 1/4" too)
- Two sets of click-clamps (1/2" and 3/8". Europeans get 1/4" too)
- Mounting hardware for the Intel and AMD Platforms
- The MCW30 Itself
- A Hex key for changing platforms
Unfortunately, if you do choose to go with utilizing the springs for Intel platforms, you'll have to remove the stock arms, or endure the odd look of having unused chrome brackets sitting there. Once we'd peeled away the packaging, and shoved aside all of the goodies (including yet another well documented and printed installation guide), the block came on out to greet us.
At first glance, the sheer size (or rather, lack thereof), of the MCW30 left us stunned, after all the MCW20 was a beefy block. Extending but mere millimeters from the dual 1/2" holes on its top, the mounting brackets swing from the sides, chromed apparati made of what seems to be thick enough steel. Each bracket comes up stylishly from being near flat, terminating in a long but thin enough mounting eye, through which our bolts are to pass. Rather than rely on just a pair of holes to keep this block mounted, Swiftech has chosen to make the product accessible to all users, a move which we can commend them on. Once we'd freed the four hex bolts in the corners, the block's base could be removed. Imagine our surprise, when we found that the block was as smooth inside as it was out. Then again, with Gabe's words of wisdom ringing in our ears "there's about what, 10 watts of heat to dissipate with a Northbridge?" we didn't think much more of it. On examining the interior of the molded Delrin top, the same widened style of accelerator intakes as found on the Apogee block were found, engineered to ensure that the minimal die of both major chipsets (as well as the minor ones) would receive adequate and even flow. Perhaps the only issue there is to note is that this block, just like many, many others will NOT fit on the DFI NF4/Ultra-D/SLI-D series of motherboards, as the spacing between the slots is simply too close for the proper routing of tubes to take place. While it may be possible to get this block mounted, it will either be in single card mode, or with heavy modification of cards and block for SLI.
