MCW-NBMAX Chipset cooler for Asus Maximus and Rampage

[quattro_]

@ performance-pcs

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24408

[coral11]

High quality





Thanks Swiftech

[Eddie3dfx]

That looks really nice!
What are the temps like?

[coral11]

I'm getting about 43 idle and 48 under load.

[3oh6]

I'm getting about 43 idle and 48 under load.

yeah, i wouldn't expect much if any benefit of this block over the stock Fusion block because the limiting
factor is the cooling of the stock heat pipe setup that they both attach to, not the block itself.

if you have done the washer mod and changed thermal paste then perhaps there might be a slight
benefit but the results from this block versus the Fusion block are going to be negligible at best.

what this block will allow, however, is the ability to hook up a 1/2" loop without 4 adapters, 9 worm clamps,
and a potentially leaky nightmare

[coral11]

3oh6,

You are correct, the only reason I would not use the Fusion block was those stupid adapters! The color and quality appeared okay. I wanted to keep the half inch plumbing through out the system. BTW I did do all the suggested fixes -- New TIM and nylon washers.

[3oh6]

haha, i have done the fusion block thing with 1/2" loop, had to for the review. the temps were
good after the nylon washer mod and re-thermal pasting, dropped a solid 10 degrees into the low 40s
from the low 50s under load with ambient at 23C with a nominal 1.5v. since then though, i have gone
direct contact with a simple MCW30 (can't thank you enough Gautam for the slap upside the head)
and with 1.74v under load, don't crack 34C with the same 23C ambient

needless to say the stock heat pipe assembly is the bottleneck in MCH cooling. fortunately
it is only a handful of MC14s and an MCW30 away from being easily cured. man, i sound like a
Swiftech ad, not my intention at all...it's just what i use because i am all about bang for buck.

this block is a nice touch for those not wanting to deal with the hassle as it does allow the 1/2"
connection without the mess...and a bloody mess it is with the Fusion block. it is good to see you
got your block already and it looks great in the setup.

[coral11]

Thanks,

You think you could help me with over clocking? (in a new topic)

[3oh6]

Thanks,

You think you could help me with over clocking? (in a new topic)

i, and a great many others with this board, would be happy to help you out. there is already a gathering
place and what has been presented already is full of helpful information. since you know about the nylon
washer mod, i am assuming you have visited but if your asking about clocking, just do it here...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=196683

i may not be able to help out but most likely someone can

[coral11]

Thank you

[The Nemesis]

2 degree differcence idle for me '55c-> '53c after gaming. I wasn't using the fan on the stock block system either.

[Zeus]

Like expected the gain isn't great from this block.

I think mine will be here this week, i will do the nylon washer trick and replace the fushion with this block, expecting some 10º C drop.

Mine idles around 43-44 ºC with 1.49V yet.

[SaiNRuB]

2 degree differcence idle for me '55c-> '53c after gaming. I wasn't using the fan on the stock block system either.

Did you replace the TIM? If you did then I would also recommend adding some type of washer to the spring screws on the back of the mobo. I went with some very cushy insulated washers i had left over from back in the day when i did the same thing with my Abit IP35 PRO.

You should definitely check it out man, id like to see you get some better temps from your setup. It looks awesome by the way. Its to bad you cant remove the LED R.O.G logo and flip it over to match your orientation.

[gxavier]

Has anyone figured out if this will fit boards without the heatpipe assembly? Maximus/Rampage Formula.

[3oh6]

Has anyone figured out if this will fit boards without the heatpipe assembly? Maximus/Rampage Formula.

no, this is for attaching to the heat pipe assembly only. the mount holes on the heat pipe assembly are on
the bottom right and top left positions on the block if you were looking at it from above. mounting holes for
the x48 chipset are on the top right and bottom left from the same vantage point.

even if you wanted to rotate the block 90 degrees to have the bottom right corner match up to the top right
hole on the board and same with the left, the distance between the mounting bolts on the MCW-NBMAX is
51.7mm, the P35/P45 mounting holes are already 55mm~56mm and the x48 holes are gapped even further. i
don't have an X48 board torn down right now to measure.

Gabe, can you please confirm this information for the users here. the web site is very clear stating...

"Motherboard Compatibility & Retention mechanism
The MCW-NBMAX is compatible with the Asus Maximus II formula, and the Rampage Extreme"

...but people
want to believe this will work with other boards when it clearly won't.

[The Nemesis]

Did you replace the TIM? If you did then I would also recommend adding some type of washer to the spring screws on the back of the mobo. I went with some very cushy insulated washers i had left over from back in the day when i did the same thing with my Abit IP35 PRO.

You should definitely check it out man, id like to see you get some better temps from your setup. It looks awesome by the way. Its to bad you cant remove the LED R.O.G logo and flip it over to match your orientation.

I replaced the TIM with OCZ freeze but will try the washers on the next refit. I thought about flipping the logo but it seemed removing it would be a one time thing. I too was hoping for better temps considering that the nb voltage is @1.25v

[gxavier]

Well that's too bad. My question is why anyone would want to make a waterblock that sits on top of 2 seperate pieces of copper. Stupid design.

[gxavier]

mounting holes for
the x48 chipset are on the top right and bottom left from the same vantage point.

The Maximus/Rampage formulas have 4 holes for chipset mounting... not two.

http://www.sixdesign.de/Asus%20Maxim...ormula%201.jpg

Tonight i'll measure... i have a broken Maximus Formula lying around.

[The Nemesis]

The Maximus/Rampage formulas have 4 holes for chipset mounting... not two.

http://www.sixdesign.de/Asus%20Maxim...ormula%201.jpg

Tonight i'll measure... i have a broken Maximus Formula lying around.

The orientation of those holes are too wide to fit this waterblock. Also this block is mounted using only two screws top left & bottom right corners. I bet with modifications to the mounting it could be used on that board but for that one would just buy a block made for the board and skip the hassle.

[3oh6]

The Maximus/Rampage formulas have 4 holes for chipset mounting... not two.

http://www.sixdesign.de/Asus%20Maxim...ormula%201.jpg

Tonight i'll measure... i have a broken Maximus Formula lying around.

oh shoot, your right, i was just thinking of the RE.
either way, as The Nemesis has stated and i mentioned above, the mounting hole spacing on this block
should be considerably smaller than the X48 mounting holes. i could be wrong as i am just using a ruler
and eyeing it up but it doesn't even look close.

**just measured the Rampage Formula from the back with a ruler (no calipers) and opposite holes center to center are 62mm...so yeah, the 51.7mm between the mounting holes on this block eliminate it from pretty much any direct chipset mounting.

[Zeus]

If you're looking for a block that fits straight on top of the NB, just get the EK S-max.

[SiGfever]

I received my block today from Jab_Tech (fast service). The block quality is very nice and it looks great, Gabe did a great job on this little block. Only thing is the Swiftech sticker should have been attached better, wouldn't take much to knock it off.

[Herc130]

I received my block today from Jab_Tech (fast service). The block quality is very nice and it looks great, Gabe did a great job on this little block. Only thing is the Swiftech sticker should have been attached better, wouldn't take much to knock it off.

Got mine as well...no swiftech sticker. Looked around box, nadda. Kinda disappointed, block looks very plain with no sticker. Actually dug out my old MCW60 and took the sticker off that to put on the NB block.

[BlueAqua]

Got mine as well.

1/2" ID 3/4" OD Feser Compression fittings is a no go, but I was actually surprised it got that close. I'm going to use a 45 on one of them so I think I can make it work.

[3oh6]

haha, man, that block looks tiny with that hardware on there. good to see so many getting them,
now, let's see more rig pics