Swiftech unveils MCR Drive Heat Exchangers

[gabe]

Are the pumps powerful enough that you could mount additional plain vanilla radiators in series with them for extra cooling?

For example, on a Lian Li PC-343B case, I could see mounting two of the swiftech dual all-in-one radiator/pump/reservoir combos in the front of the unit and then a couple more regular radiators on the top of the unit to give more cooling.

Yes they are.

[gabe]

I totally agree. Very nice innovation, wonder why I didn't think of it myself!

If someone's complaining that this design is not perfect... I seem to remember that the first computer left a lot to be desired as well, but that over time, it has improved.

Looks pretty nice to me for an all-in-one solution for a small form factor system.

Swiftech: The next step is to highlight to people some cases which would be ideal for mounting these vertically. Perhaps even work with a case builder (ahem, Lian Li) to design a case which is custom configured to hold these products. I forsee a case with a triple across the front, and a dual across the back, for quick and easy installation of a dual-loop water cooling solution.

Perhaps take a 3-compartment case style like a Lian Li X1000 and turn the design on it's side like a Maingear Shift. Then the rad/pump/res combos would be oriented vertically and in their own compartment. A couple tubes would enter the main compartment, go to the blocks, and back out. Simple, concealed, neat, and isolated from the main part of the unit.

Cosmos S has a perfect spot up front to bolt on an MCR 220 Drive. Just bolt on the hard drive cage. it leaves 3 open slots for cd/dvd. and you can also add a tripe up at the top of the case. tha'ts what I have in my current system.

[thelittlechef]

I have two concerns about this design. One would be the shorter lifespan of a pump when compared to a rad. Will it be possible to replace the pump without replacing the whole unit? Number two would be noise, will pump vibrations resonate through the entire rad?

[CedricFP]

Would there be any issues running one of these with a second MCP355 w/ top?

[Leeghoofd]

Very innovative product that will create a big stirr for all them compact ( and sometimes underperforming ) all in one cooling solutions. Looking forward to some reviews

[Stewie007]

I am the same Gabe yes, but I responded that you CANNOT use NPT fittings with our threads..

I know, I know......

[Bodkin]

This is great idea! Any timeframe for uk shops?

Aslo, what size is the fillport, is it 1/4 so i can mount the rad horisontaly and still fill it?

[Marcng]

would there be any problem using the top opening as the inlet for the rad, and block the one next to the pump outlet?
that way, it should eliminate any "bad" orientation, apart from the up-side-down one.

but i wanna know what thread size is that on the fillport first.

[Sailindawg]

Aslo, what size is the fillport, is it 1/4 so i can mount the rad horizontally and still fill it?

I'm using the 220 rad / res combo. The fill port is not a 1/4 fitting. It is larger. You would need to go to your local hardware store, match the threads of the fillport cap and get some appropriate fittings.

My current rad / res orientation is up-rite (with fill port on top) and bolted to the back of my pc via the rad box. I like the fact I don't need a stand alone reservoir. What I'm liking about the MCR drive approach, is the elimination of a lot of fittings, an internal pump inside the case and the reservoir.

[Bodkin]

I'm using the 220 rad / res combo. The fill port is not a 1/4 fitting. It is larger. You would need to go to your local hardware store, match the threads of the fillport cap and get some appropriate fittings.

My current rad / res orientation is up-rite (with fill port on top) and bolted to the back of my pc via the rad box. I like the fact I don't need a stand alone reservoir. What I'm liking about the MCR drive approach, is the elimination of a lot of fittings, an internal pump inside the case and the reservoir.

Thats annoying, guess I could use a t fitting to fill it

[alacheesu]

My only two complaints is 1) I'm a little worried about pump vibration and 2) it takes away half the fun in building a loop. :P Otherwise it looks like a very solid product as far as I can tell.

[affiliate13]

Very nice Gabe,
Any plans for a 140mm version or one a bit thicker?

[JeffLo]

nice product would 1 MCR320-DRIVE be enought for 2 5970 to cool? never tried wc b4 so this would be a great start and easy

[gillbot]

you can use this to go through the pci if you want to use fittings: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/71...BKT-PCI-G.html

[Manicdan]

nice product would 1 MCR320-DRIVE be enought for 2 5970 to cool? never tried wc b4 so this would be a great start and easy

it probably can, but your temps might be in the 50-60s instead of lower 40s with a proper setup. theres plenty of reviews out there, just look radiator reviews, this will be no different than the rad by itself used with a full kit.

[PiLsY]

Few quick questions...

Any plans to do a 140mm version and/or allow g1/4 mounting for barbs?

Also would it be easy to invert the design for re-tooling? If so could you make 2 mirror opposite versions to allow all mounting possibilities? Just an idle thought .

Do you find any vibration gets transferred to the case when hard mounting the rad via the radbox? I ended up adding two spacers with O rings to the g1/4 male/male connector attaching my pump to my rad to reduce vibration.

And a sneaky one at the end - 140mm radbox planned anytime soon Gabe?


Another brilliant product - really nails the all in one market while stopping the problems associated with upgrading the apogee drive baseplate for each new cpu that comes out. Makes good quality water cooling available to a much wider audience. Far less fear involved with this kind of solution when making the transition from air to water.

[ahmad]

I have a feeling this design can be improved significantly with slight modifications...

[Manicdan]

is it safe to have it on the top of the case as long as you have the pump side hanging a little lower than the reservoir side? im talking only an inch extra here, not a full 45 degrees or anything.

[Boogerlad]

I have a feeling this design can be improved significantly with slight modifications...

How so?

[ahmad]

How so?

Pump top. If swiftech wanted to be clever they could provide a choice of pump top attachments to the rad, allowing a much wider range of configuration possibilities. Not sure how much more expensive it would be, but certainly $10 would be well worth it.

[sirheck]

Pump top. If swiftech wanted to be clever they could provide a choice of pump top attachments to the rad, allowing a much wider range of configuration possibilities. Not sure how much more expensive it would be, but certainly $10 would be well worth it.

I forsee some guys breaking out the ole Dremmel tool
and porting the bottom of the rad.

But yeah i maybe could see a spacer to go in between the pump and rad.

[_G_]

I forsee some guys breaking out the ole Dremmel tool
and porting the bottom of the rad.

But yeah i maybe could see a spacer to go in between the pump and rad.

I rember that happened with the original AC tops when they saw the small inlet and outlet ports, results where worse performance and a nice lexan paperweight.

[gabe]

I have two concerns about this design. One would be the shorter lifespan of a pump when compared to a rad. Will it be possible to replace the pump without replacing the whole unit? Number two would be noise, will pump vibrations resonate through the entire rad?

there is absolutely no indication that this setup would affect the life of the pump whatsoever.

yes you can replace the pump with any MCP350 or 355 pump. If this is a warranty, then we can replace the pump by simply removing 4 screws. by the way, the warranty is 2 years.

the pump is solidary from the rad. good insulation of the radiator from the chassis is a good idea, such as silicone gaskets, to prevent vibrations from the pump to rattle loose components in the chassis.

Would there be any issues running one of these with a second MCP355 w/ top?

if you mean a second pump in series, no objection whatsoever.

This is great idea! Any timeframe for uk shops?

Aslo, what size is the fillport, is it 1/4 so i can mount the rad horisontaly and still fill it?

UK shops probably in 2 weeks.
the fill-port is: PG11 (edited for earlier typo pg14)

would there be any problem using the top opening as the inlet for the rad, and block the one next to the pump outlet?
that way, it should eliminate any "bad" orientation, apart from the up-side-down one.

not possible. you would have no circulation in half of the radiator.

but i wanna know what thread size is that on the fillport first.

PG14

Very nice Gabe,
Any plans for a 140mm version or one a bit thicker?

sure, in time.

nice product would 1 MCR320-DRIVE be enought for 2 5970 to cool? never tried wc b4 so this would be a great start and easy

Absolutely

it probably can, but your temps might be in the 50-60s instead of lower 40s with a proper setup. theres plenty of reviews out there, just look radiator reviews, this will be no different than the rad by itself used with a full kit.

How you are you getting these numbers?

Few quick questions...

Any plans to do a 140mm version and/or allow g1/4 mounting for barbs?

Also would it be easy to invert the design for re-tooling? If so could you make 2 mirror opposite versions to allow all mounting possibilities? Just an idle thought .

Do you find any vibration gets transferred to the case when hard mounting the rad via the radbox? I ended up adding two spacers with O rings to the g1/4 male/male connector attaching my pump to my rad to reduce vibration.

And a sneaky one at the end - 140mm radbox planned anytime soon Gabe?


Another brilliant product - really nails the all in one market while stopping the problems associated with upgrading the apogee drive baseplate for each new cpu that comes out. Makes good quality water cooling available to a much wider audience. Far less fear involved with this kind of solution when making the transition from air to water.

140mm see above
G1/4: it already is compatible.
mirror: will look into it
mounting with radbox: less vibrations with rabox than hardmount to chassis: the plastic radbox acts as a damper - o-ring or rubber washer between the screw heads and the chassis (the ones that that forms the posts to fasten the radbox base) will also further decouple the assembly from the chassis for additional insulation - how did you install your pump to the rad and to a radbox? pic please. just curious.

Pump top. If swiftech wanted to be clever they could provide a choice of pump top attachments to the rad, allowing a much wider range of configuration possibilities. Not sure how much more expensive it would be, but certainly $10 would be well worth it.

yes, this is something we will be looking into

[Manicdan]

How you are you getting these numbers?

pure speculation. too many unknown variables, which is why i recommended he check out rad reviews. low vs high fan speed could easily make 10 degree difference, a light overclock could make another 10 degrees. based on a load anywhere from 600-800W a 320 rad is probably not enough, i would recommend a second one, or some delta fans and ear plugs.

[Jamesrt2004]

pure speculation. too many unknown variables, which is why i recommended he check out rad reviews. low vs high fan speed could easily make 10 degree difference, a light overclock could make another 10 degrees. based on a load anywhere from 600-800W a 320 rad is probably not enough, i would recommend a second one, or some delta fans and ear plugs.

load will be ALWAYS less then 600W.. the rad will be fine