Quote Originally Posted by Mezzro View Post
I'm a fan of Swiftech products, but the MCW-NBMAX falls short by failing to address the core problem with Asus' stock HPA: the surface of the waterblock is too far removed from the surface of the chipset it's intended to cool. The NBMAX copper base rests against a copper plate that, in turn, makes contact with two copper pipes that only make indirect contact with the chip surface through a copper plate beneath the pipes. The only advantage the NBMAX might provide would be any increased volume of water it may (or may not) hold (it appears larger than the stock NB wblock) and a more finely machined base plate, providing better contact. IMHO, those differences don't offset the horribly inefficient HPA design. You can replace TIM and add as many washers as you like: it's still 'lipstick on a pig.'
echoing exactly what i have been saying in the NBMAX thread. the HPA is just a dog and despite all the effort, still comes out sucking compared to a direct contact cooler.

having just slapped an MCW30 directly on the X48 IHS and having tested NB temps thoroughly out of the box and post nylon washer mod...the HPA is the biggest draw back by far and aside from the benefit of not having adapters out the ace for the Fusion block, i wouldn't expect a degree of difference between it and the NBMAX in a capable loop. the 1/2" barbs though are worth the price of admission for the NBMAX if running a 1/2" loop.

my suggestion to anyone wanting to really lower NB temps and running a water loop, go direct contact with an MCW30 or the EK blocks mentioned, slap some MC14s or Enzotech heat sinks on the CPU/NB PWM and enjoy sub 40C temps regardless of voltage