[Review] Round 2: Swiftech Apogee GTZ and GTZ SE Tested
Preface
This is a quick version of my Apogee GTZ and GTZ SE Testing....it's part three of my Roundup #2 of waterblock testing. I have some cool things in store for testing (including ways to significantly improve the performance of some blocks) and will be testing a lot of blocks. Anyway, I'll cut the boring parts out of the test logs and post up the Apogee GTZ results in this thread :)
If you have any questions, check out the full review (link above)...if they're not answered, ask away here :)
Test Results
First up, comparing the two blocks over 5 mounts...there's no need to do orientation testing (the best orientation is already told to use by Swiftech and there are no known mounting issues with some boards):
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Round2/GTZ/Mounts.png
The first odd result I've ever had with my testing. For the record, the exact same base, mounting plate, bowing plate, o-ring, distribution insert, and mounting screws were used. The only thing changed was the top. The tops are, aside from material, identical as far as I can tell. Furthermore, the airflow over the socket I provide for MOSFET cooling is, at best, water temperature (it's usually .3C higher than water temps). So the "radiator effect" of a metal top is totally non-existent here. That really leaves one option--it's a structural advantage. The GTZ uses a very deliberate bow in its design and it seems the stronger metal top is more effective at implementing the bow. In turn, the GTZ SE does noticeably outperform the GTZ.
I do have a spare base here that's seen a lot of mileage (and isn't looking so good), but I'll use it to see if I can unlock some more performance, akin to what I did with the Heatkillers (the mods I have in mind require physical modification to the base). I'll report back if it's a fruitful venture.
- Very High Pumping Power: All three MCP355 pumps and the D5 are on at full speed--this has a very similar PQ curve to a pair of RD-30s at 20V.
- High Pumping Power: Two MCP355s with EK V2 tops are on at full speed. The other two pumps are off.
- Medium High Pumping Power: A single MCP355 with XSPC V3 top is on at full speed. The other three pumps are off.
- Medium Pumping Power: The stock D5 is on at full speed and setting 5. The other three pumps are off.
- Low Pumping Power: A single MCP355 with XSPC V3 top is on at minimum speed (~7.7V, ~2450RPM). The other three pumps are off.
- Very Low Pumping Power: The stock D5 is on at minimum speed--setting 1. The other three pumps are off.
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Round2/GTZ/GTZs25W.png
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Round2/GTZ/GTZSE.png
http://vapor.skinneelabs.com/i7/Round2/GTZ/GTZ.png
Note: I do 5 mounts at "Medium High" then take the best config of a block and test the whole flow spectrum (after a TIM curing session) then realign that curve with average of the 3 median mounts to give you the "Adjusted" data.
Many More Graphs
I've included the core graphs and data here...but there's more in the full review, which is here. Conclusion + thoughts are also in there...I suggest checking it out if you want more info, thanks for reading! :yepp:
Overall comparison write-up and charts are in progress...I need sleep first :zombie:
Testing the Sapphire Rev.A right now, fwiw.