Swiftech unveils Apogee XT new flagship waterblock

[gabe]

Hello All:

It is with considerable excitement that I am presenting to you our new flagship waterblock, the Apogee XT.



The block is fully optimized for Intel Ci5 and Ci7. Test results, and techical data are fully disclosed on our web site.

We are shipping to the channels this week.

MSRP is $79.95

Due to the late hour, I have to attend to my family, but I will do everything I can to answer more questions tomorrow.

[Mabyboi]

looks beautiful gabe! im sure alot of people are sitting tight waiting for this, when you get a chance can you post some results compared to some other flagships?

[millertime359]

Skinnee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Looks awesome Gabe.

[gabe]

looks beautiful gabe! im sure alot of people are sitting tight waiting for this, when you get a chance can you post some results compared to some other flagships?

these are already posted on our site.. sorry, I really have to go now!

[Fafeifa]

i'll be the first to ask,
will this beat the HK 3.0?

[Edward88]

Nice block!

Great job gabe! like usual


I just buy a gtz se


I want to see reviewssssssss

[Demthios]

Looks awesome liking the results data on your webpage!

[Burninator]

looks like a nice block!

based on the results from your website it beats the HK 3.0, woot! too bad i just bought a GTZ...

[millertime359]

They are showing a 3 degree improvement over the GTZ an almost a 1 degree difference on the HK.



edit:

internals:

[gabe]

Nice block!

Great job gabe! like usual


I just buy mi gtz se


I want to see reviewssssssss

looks like a nice block!

based on the results from your website it beats the HK 3.0, woot! too bad i just bought a GTZ...

Quick then I go, or my wife is going to kill me..

WE ARE NOT DISCONTINUING THE APOGEE GTZ!

This is a great block, even better now that we just dropped its price, and it still has a long career ahead of it!

[shazza]

From the Swiftech site: (perhaps this will save Gabe from a few questions ... we don't want his wife to kill him!)


Intel® Core™ i7 920 (Bloomfield D0)
(@4095 Mhz - 1.392 V Actual)
Water-Block............................................. ........Delta T (*)
Apogee™ GTZ............................................... ...40.82 °C
Apogee™ XT (factory inlet configuration)...............37.88 °C
Apogee™ XT (alternate inlet configuration) (**)......37.99 °C
Reference competitive data (Heatkiller rev3.0).......39.39 °C


(*) Delta T is the difference in temperature between averaged CPU core temperature as reported by RealTemp and averaged air temperature reported by 3 thermal probes located at the fans inlets.

(**) Alternate inlet configuration is when the inlet is rotated at 180° to allow installation of extra large compression fittings.

[Mabyboi]

Designed in the USA
One of more patents pending
Introduction

ap·o·gee: The farthest or highest point; the apex; a final climactic stage

The Apogee™ XT is Swiftech's new flagship water-block. It represents the culmination of months of research and development marked by hundreds of hours of competitive testing. The end result is a product that manages to surpass everything that made its predecessor -the Apogee™ GTZ, one of the best water-blocks in the world; a substantial increase in thermal performance, sumptuous functional elegance, unique convenience features for beginners and extreme users alike, all contribute to place the new "XT" in a class of its own.

Summary of benefits compared to the Apogee™ GTZ

PERFORMANCE: a consistent 3°C improvement over the Apogee™ GTZ was observed in testing the XT block with various Ci7 processors overclocked to 4.1 Ghz
STUNNING ELEGANCE: the XT water-block is entirely machined from copper and brass. The subtly sculpted brass housing receives a luxurious black chrome plating finish.
UNIQUE CONVENIENCE FEATURES: Swiftech's retention mechanism is universally recognized as the simplest and safest to use. It has been further improved to feature universal compatibility with all Intel® Core™ desktop processors. The XT also features a unique detachable inlet plate that can be rotated at 180° to allow installation of extra large compression fittings.
Picture Gallery



With the inlet rotated, the Apogee™ XT leaves plenty of room for large compression fittings
Performance Data

Thermal Design
The Apogee™ XT is optimized for Intel® Core™ i5 and Core i7 processors but it will also yield world-class performance results with all compatible processors from AMD® and/or Intel® server class processors. Thermal design of the cooling engine combines the benefits of direct coolant impingement over the CPU area with a copper base plate characterized by a pin matrix composed of 225 µm (0.009") micro structures.

Pressure Drop Specification


The above pressure drop vs. flow rate curves show that the XT in factory configuration is slightly less restrictive than the Apogee™ GTZ. This trend reverses however when the inlet is rotated (labeled "Apogee XT Alternate") to accommodate extra large compression fittings.

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Mechanical Design
Mechanical design of the copper base plate is optimized for Intel® socket LGA 771, 775, 1156 and 1366. The topographically mapped mating surface has been considerably enhanced to yield dominating results with Intel® socket LGA 1156 and 1366 processors. Other types of processors such as AMD® socket F, AM2, AM3 and 940 may also benefit from the enhanced contact area.

Retention Mechanism
The Swiftech's tool free retention system uses springs and limited travel thumb-screws for high quality and repeatable mounts. The waterblock hold-down plate features elongated holes providing compatibility with all Intel® Core™ desktop processors. Motherboard back-plates provide server-class rigidity to the assembly.

Comparative Temperature Data
The following tables report the data collected from testing performed with actual retail processors under 100% load using CPU Burn. Published results are the best of a minimum of 5 mounts. These results are indicative of our test bench settings and of the tested processors only. Results may vary from one processor to another. Competitive data is provided for comparative purposes, and is only representative of the specific waterblock samples tested here. Two samples of the same competitive blocks were used for validation purposes.

Intel® Core™ i7 920 (Bloomfield D0)
(@4095 Mhz - 1.392 V Actual)
Water-Block
Delta T (*)
Apogee™ GTZ 40.82 °C

Apogee™ XT (factory inlet configuration) 37.88 °C

Apogee™ XT (alternate inlet configuration) (**) 37.99 °C

Reference competitive data (Heatkiller rev3.0) 39.39 °C
Comments:

In factory configuration, the Apogee™ XT showed a 3°C improvement over the Apogee™ GTZ.
A 1.5 °C improvement was observed compared the best competitive waterblock tested in our lab.
The temperature degradation between factory inlet configuration and alternate inlet configuration was 0.1°C
(*) Delta T is the difference in temperature between averaged CPU core temperature as reported by RealTemp and averaged air temperature reported by 3 thermal probes located at the fans inlets.

(**) Alternate inlet configuration is when the inlet is rotated at 180° to allow installation of extra large compression fittings.

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Motherboard and CPU Compatibility

The Apogee™ XT is shipped with a universal hold-down plate and retention mechanism compatible with all Intel® Core™ desktop processors: socket 775, socket 1156, and socket 1366. The motherboard back-plate is included for Core™ i7, and will also be included for Core™ i5 upon product availability, which is expected mid-october 2009. This part will be mailed upon-request free of charge to all customers who purchase the block before the plate becomes available. The socket 775 motherboard back-plate is not included with the block, but will also be mailed upon request at no charge.

Hold-down plates for other processors, such as AMD's and server platforms will be released in the coming weeks and available in option.

Fittings & tubing compatibility

The Apogee™ XT ships pre-installed with chrome plated high flow 1/4" BSPP x 1/2" Eurostyle barbs; 3/8" barb fittings are available in option.

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Specifications



The 225 µm (0.009") micro pin matrix is at the heart of the Apogee™ XT lowest ever thermal resistance.



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The cold plate surface is topographically mapped to provide an optimized TIM joint with socket LGA 771, 775, 1156 and 1366 compatible processors. As a result, the Apogee™ XT requires a specific mounting orientation with respect to the CPU socket in order to optimize performance as illustrated below:



The housing is CNC machined out of brass, and designed for impingement cooling over the CPU hottest area. The flow path, as illustrated below shows that the Apogee™XT is port specific: inlet and outlet cannot be interchanged.


Dimensions:



Net Weight: 15.1 ounces (428 grams)
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MSRP & Parts

Please consult your Swiftech distributor prior to ordering direct from us, or purchase the product factory direct here

Product Information
Part #
Description
Price
Apogee™ XT water-block
Assembly including water-block, hold-down plate and retention hardware for Intel® socket 1366 (Core™ i7), 1/2" hose barbs & clamps, Arctic Céramique thermal paste, socket 1366 motherboard back-plate, installation guide.

Socket 1156 motherboard back-plate to be mailed upon request free of charge once available (mid-october 2009).

Socket 775 motherboard back-plate mailed free of charge upon request.

$79.95

Options
BSPP-250-375-CP-EURO 1/4" BSPP X 3/8 " Barb Chrome Plated fittings with captive o-ring, short body, set of 2 fittings
$5.00
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[Vapor]

I'll be reviewing this in the next few days to add to my in-progress i7 CPU block roundup (links in sig).

[millertime359]

I'll be reviewing this in the next few days to add to my in-progress i7 CPU block roundup (links in sig).

Nice, looking forward to it Vapor.

The adjustable inlet is a nice idea Gabe. Will it natively fit BP 1/2 3/4 Comp fittings when rotated?

[Silverhawk]

Oh sweet!
I'm glad I haven't bought my water cooling blocks yet

*awaiting the test results by vapor*

[aoch88]

1. If you have specific inlet/outlet and then have specific ways to mount the block (with the 3 screws on the same location with the CPU lock lever), it just means there's no change we can mount it the way we want. Assuming if I want my tubings to go in from another way, I can no longer do it with this block.
2. It looks like this is very much the same like the GTZ except for some cosmetic differences on the top. Also to be honest, I moved from Apogee GT to GTZ with little or no improvements. I'd be happy if Swiftech makes a product that enables us to mount whichever direction that we want and/or at least give a reasonable improvements in temps or it doesn't justify an upgrade at all.

[Sadasius]

OMG OMG OMG *runs around in circles and knocks himself out cold by running into a wall*

[iandh]

Gabe, what have you done to protect yourself from the ninja death squads your manufacturer sent to assassinate you after you informed them of the mind-bogglingly fine pin matrix they would be required to machine?

[Pulpoh]

Great job Gabe! Looks awesome! Love my GTZ, but I think this is my next upgrade (awaiting the test results by vapor).

[Boogerlad]

yeah, that would require a ridiculously small endmill.

[iandh]

yeah, that would require a ridiculously small endmill*.

*slitting saw




I must say, I'm damned impressed with that base for that price. Pain in the ass to machine is what it is. The whole block looks damned good, although using it with anything but pure distilled would be a HORRID idea.

-ultra-sharp tool (no dull slitting saws allowed here)

-extremely stable slitting saw arbor

-most likely multiple passes

-most likely pissed off machinist

[skinnee]

I just like seeing a constant battle for the CPU Block crown.

[Weevil]

man, I just got another gtz for my new build, wonder if Jab-tech will exchange it?

[nikhsub1]

1. If you have specific inlet/outlet and then have specific ways to mount the block (with the 3 screws on the same location with the CPU lock lever), it just means there's no change we can mount it the way we want. Assuming if I want my tubings to go in from another way, I can no longer do it with this block.
2. It looks like this is very much the same like the GTZ except for some cosmetic differences on the top. Also to be honest, I moved from Apogee GT to GTZ with little or no improvements. I'd be happy if Swiftech makes a product that enables us to mount whichever direction that we want and/or at least give a reasonable improvements in temps or it doesn't justify an upgrade at all.

Most modern blocks perform differently when oriented differently. The difference is, Swiftech is TELLING you which way to do it for best performance while other manufacturers are NOT. You don't have to listen to the instructions and you will just get lesser performance, the choice is yours.

*ninja edit*

Unless there is a limitation with the block where it can NOT seat properly on the socket if oriented not as directed.

[iandh]

I just like seeing a constant battle for the CPU Block crown.

We're approaching the limits of modern machinery here (traditional machining techniques at least).

The only "advances" I see from here are not forwards, but more sideways. Aesthetics, flow restriction, and fine tuning for new CPU die configs.