SUMMARY: Very good choice for CPU cooling, especially with low power waterpumps.

The good guys at Swiftech was nice enough to send a MCW5002^TM waterblock to test. The MCW5002^TM comes in a variety of mounting choices - the waterblock is the same for all options.

Swiftech's MCW5002^TM features (per Swiftech)

• ½" barb fittings
• Diamond-Pin Matrix© copper base plate for optimal heat transfer and turbulent flow
• "Dropped-deck" housing to increase cooling fluid velocity through the Diamond-Pin Matrix© area

The MCW5002^TM is a pin-fin heatsink applied to watercooling:

This increases surface area, which improves heat transfer from the CPU core. The base is 0.500" (12.7mm); note the manner in which the pins are cut and laid out - they are offset a bit.

The base

is lapped flat to 3/10 of 1/1000" and mirror polished - anyone who tries to hand-lap this base is going to make it worse.

Overall, this is typical Swiftech - first class design and build quality.

The Swiftech MCW5002^TM was tested using the CPU Die Simulator and Waterblock Test Rig.

Test Results indicate that the MCW5002^TM's pressure drop (or head loss) across the waterblock is fairly low; flow resistance such as this means that Swiftech's MCW5002 should function well without using a large waterpump. I was somewhat surprised, as a pin-fin design will increase pressure, although how much depends on pin density. It appears that Swiftech designed an excellent balance between pressure drop and performance.

For a comparison of the MCW5002^TM's performance to other waterblocks tested to date, see Overclockers.com Waterblock Test Results.

Swiftech's MCW5002^TM Waterblock is a very good choice for CPU cooling - very good performance, low pressure drop and excellent build quality. The MCW5002 will perform very well with moderate power waterpumps, as long as other components do not unduly restrict waterflow.

Thanks again to Swiftech for sending this our way.

Email Joe