Swiftech's new products for 2012

[stephenswiftech]

The base of the XT and HD is pretty large and actually covers most of the mounting holes used on GPU.
The other thing is that the ports on these blocks are going straight out of the block and even if they're used with elbows it still is going to prevent from doing SLI.

The MCW82 (and other universal GPU blocks we made before that) are smaller and with built-in 90-degree ports.

[stephenswiftech]

How's the ETA coming along for the full cover blocks on hd7970's?.....Seems stock for blocks from other brands are selling out so fast that getting 4 of them is like winning the lottery...:P

And yes that dual pump will be mine no matter what, just that i'd like to order everything in one shot.

It sounds like the production will be coming in at the end of this month.

[SonDa5]

The base of the XT and HD is pretty large and actually covers most of the mounting holes used on GPU.
The other thing is that the ports on these blocks are going straight out of the block and even if they're used with elbows it still is going to prevent from doing SLI.

The MCW82 (and other universal GPU blocks we made before that) are smaller and with built-in 90-degree ports.

Thanks for you attention to my question.

I still think it would be a good option that could benefit some people who don't want to run SLI/Xfire. I'm sure you could make one. It would consist of 1 lower plate that fits video card GPU mount holes that would have at least 8 holes for AMD or 10 holes for NVIDIA. First inner group of holes would be used to mount the plate to the video card then an outer 4 holes on the corners with a slight offset and slight distance from the video card would be used to mount a new designed Apogee XT plate. It would be a 3 plate kit. 1 lower plate for AMD cards, 1 lower plate for NVIDIA cards and 1 adaptor plate for the APogee XT/Apogee HD block.

I'd buy one of these for $15. Would make the Apogee XT/Apogee HD more versatile and valuable. Of course itwill not work for everyone but it will be great for many like me.

Wish you guys could make this.

[stephenswiftech]

It's something that was discussed internally before but there is a bunch of things that make Apogee XT or HD inappropriate for a GPU (I already mentioned some form factor issues but there is also the problem of a bowed block on a bare die... and that's definitely something to avoid).

Stephen

[antiacid]

very interesting product line! Makes me tempted to do a full swiftech build

[pizan]

Is the backlight of the logo on the Apogee Drive II changeable?

[stephenswiftech]

Apogee Drive II comes with 3 different lighting's.

[pizan]

Apogee Drive II comes with 3 different lighting's.

Sweet! I'll be getting 1 when they come out. Wonder if Microcenter will stock any

[SonDa5]

It's something that was discussed internally before but there is a bunch of things that make Apogee XT or HD inappropriate for a GPU (I already mentioned some form factor issues but there is also the problem of a bowed block on a bare die... and that's definitely something to avoid).

Stephen

Bowed block??? Is the Apogee XT block surface not perfectly flat?

So it wouldn't work for bare GPUs found on AMD cards but it could work for NVIDIA covered GPUs?

I imagine the flow rate might have an effect on performance. Apogee XT rev. 2 top should help with flow.

[Church]

Many modern cpu waterblocks are bowed by design. They straighten up when mounted on CPUs with cpu mounting sys bringing lot of mounting pressure, and in process of it by such design bring out better thermal contact in middle. There been cases when user had lapped their block perfectly flat when unmounted with getting worse cooling as result (when mounted such block presses less at center where behind IHS cpu chip is, or even you get some concave in middle, with even worse thernal contact then with lacking pressure. IIRC this bad lapping case was with watercool HK3 blocks, but probably can be attributed to most modern blocks).

[SonDa5]

Many modern cpu waterblocks are bowed by design. They straighten up when mounted on CPUs with cpu mounting sys bringing lot of mounting pressure, and in process of it by such design bring out better thermal contact in middle. There been cases when user had lapped their block perfectly flat when unmounted with getting worse cooling as result (when mounted such block presses less at center where behind IHS cpu chip is, or even you get some concave in middle, with even worse thernal contact then with lacking pressure. IIRC this bad lapping case was with watercool HK3 blocks, but probably can be attributed to most modern blocks).

So do you think I would be safe with an NVIDIA style GPU? If I build a proper mounting system for the Apogee XT?

[Church]

It's not just about gpu chip having heatspreader or not. Not even about usually insufficient mounting pressure for gpu-s.
It's about all small factors summed up - you'd be better off with buying universal gpu block since the very beginning without problems of too much pressure, too big block size, unusable mounting sys, and so on and on then spending time and money upon trying to fit something not meant to. You CAN fit car engine on bike. Should you? Are gains in some areas worth losses in others when doing so? Imho - not.

[SonDa5]

It's not just about gpu chip having heatspreader or not. Not even about usually insufficient mounting pressure for gpu-s.
It's about all small factors summed up - you'd be better off with buying universal gpu block since the very beginning without problems of too much pressure, too big block size, unusable mounting sys, and so on and on then spending time and money upon trying to fit something not meant to. You CAN fit car engine on bike. Should you? Are gains in some areas worth losses in others when doing so? Imho - not.

I'm concerned about the bowing issue on the GTX 580 with an Apogee XT CPU block. I can make a proper bracket to buckle it down. Apogee XT has more surface area and it seems like it would do a better job cooling than many small surface area universal GPU heat sinks. Big factor is being safe but the other factor is saving money. The best factor is the fun factor. I have a good time building stuff.

[Utnorris]

I can tell you that I use the MCW82 on both of my GTX580's and it has no issue cooling the GPU. I would not try and use a block made for a CPU on a GPU unless I had gotten it for free and was just trying to find a use for it. Even then, I think you would be better off selling the cpu block and buying a gpu block.

[Trox]

The GPU only blocks are great performers as long as you keep the vrms and memos cool.

My MCW80 keep my 5850 under load with 10c delta

[basserdan]

2 x mcw80 on my 4970x2 also within a 10c delta. It's all on an mcr320 with low speed fans.

[SonDa5]

I can tell you that I use the MCW82 on both of my GTX580's and it has no issue cooling the GPU. I would not try and use a block made for a CPU on a GPU unless I had gotten it for free and was just trying to find a use for it. Even then, I think you would be better off selling the cpu block and buying a gpu block.

Well I paid for it but I'm not using it. I was going to sell it and buy another universal block for a video card but it seems cheaper to mod it for a video card.

[Merluz]

The Maelstrom reservoir will be compatible with other type of DCC pumps or it will be compatibile with MCP35X only?

[stephenswiftech]

The Maelstrom reservoir will be compatible with other type of DCC pumps or it will be compatibile with MCP35X only?

It is compatible with MCP350, MCP355, MCP35B, MCP35X.

[Kayin]

Would there be a chance of a Apogee Drive II bottom only, for those of us with PWM-capable pumps? I know I'd be very interested in a pair for my workstation.

[stephenswiftech]

Yes that's a possibility.

[Merluz]

It is compatible with MCP350, MCP355, MCP35B, MCP35X.

thank you

[Kayin]

One last question on the Drive, will it have C32/G34 support (which would mean socket F as well?) My workstation has a pair of Istanbuls in it, which are rather new and not too bad at all. They just happen to share the same single-hole spacing of socket 939. I've noticed a trend of little AMD support from most manufacturers, I'm hoping you guys will still give us workstation people some love.

[stephenswiftech]

Yes it fully supports AMD.

[dejanh]

It's something that was discussed internally before but there is a bunch of things that make Apogee XT or HD inappropriate for a GPU (I already mentioned some form factor issues but there is also the problem of a bowed block on a bare die... and that's definitely something to avoid).

Stephen

What?! You mean you do not want to be liable for all of the crushed dies? Why, how dare you

Yes it fully supports AMD.

This is looking very sexy. I can see myself integrating this into my loops, even in my main systems and not just small builds. I read most of the thread but do not remember seeing a more specific date when this will become available...any info?