Swiftech finally releases a copper top for the GTX

nikhsub1 · Aug 23, 2007

Well after many users said they wanted no aluminum Swiftech finally obliged and made a copper top for the GTX! Looks very nice.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=156280

JamesXP · Aug 23, 2007

ooo pretty.

the_cultie · Aug 23, 2007

mmmmmm, copper :drool:

... Thing is will it be more expensive than the existing GTX?

Automata · Aug 23, 2007

That looks much better. I don't see why they don't offer it that way assembled

batboy · Aug 23, 2007

Perfect timing, I just ordered a GTX. If I read the linked thread correctly, Swiftech is initially just offering the top by itself. But, sounds like eventually they'll sell the GTX assembled with the copper top for something like $10 more than the current price.

WonderingSoul · Aug 23, 2007

Wasn't the original nickle plated alum?

nikhsub1 · Aug 23, 2007

WonderingSoul said:
Wasn't the original nickle plated alum?

Yes but I don't trust any aluminum, IDC what it is plated/coated with. :bang head

Mycobacteria · Aug 23, 2007

Is it cooler or is it just looks only?

pak · Aug 23, 2007

Mycobacteria said:
Is it cooler or is it just looks only?

I think its too keep one type of metal in the loop, copper being the favorite. Mixing up metals causes some type of corrosion if I remember right.

--pak

pak · Aug 23, 2007

Just checked out switftechs website. $40 for the top alone. Kinda pricey.

--pak

batboy · Aug 23, 2007

Copper transfers heat better than aluminum, but mainly you don't want two types of metals in the loop or you'll get corrosion problems eventually.

pak · Aug 23, 2007

batboy said:
Copper transfers heat better than aluminum, but mainly you don't want two types of metals in the loop or you'll get corrosion problems eventually.

The base, the part that transfers heat, is already copper. This is just the top that was previously aluminum plated in something. So someone correct me on this, but this will add 0 performance and just reduce/prevent corrosion.

--pak

Mycobacteria · Aug 23, 2007

wow it is pricy.... for copper....

so how much will the silver one cost???

MadMan007 · Aug 23, 2007

batboy said:
Perfect timing, I just ordered a GTX. If I read the linked thread correctly, Swiftech is initially just offering the top by itself. But, sounds like eventually they'll sell the GTX assembled with the copper top for something like $10 more than the current price.

Yea no crap, me too. But timing is everything and I needed the block for the coming week and there is no way I'd buy a second top for 3/4 the price of a whole new block. The nickel plating isn't a terrible thing...I mean yea ideally one metal is best but nickel isn;t going to cause problems like al. It also explains why the GTX has been on sale at a few places :bang head

Moto7451 · Aug 24, 2007

Why they didn't just make it out of Delrin or FRN in the first place is beyond me

. I guess the Aluminum was cheaper to have extruded than it would have been to have a mold made to make a plastic top.

batboy · Aug 24, 2007

pak said:
The base, the part that transfers heat, is already copper. This is just the top that was previously aluminum plated in something. So someone correct me on this, but this will add 0 performance and just reduce/prevent corrosion.

--pak

Obviously, the majority of the heat transfer is via the bottom and the water. The cooling effect of the top is admittedly minimal, but I wouldn't say it's zero. After all, the GTX top is finned (sort of).

If you have good case ventilation, it might help cooling a little. I have two 120mm fan mounted in the side cover blowing in, although the GTX I bought is actually for caseless benching, but I'll still have an AC household fan blowing over the motherboard.

Yes, if the price is $40, that is rather expensive. If you use an anticorrosion additive in your coolant and change once a year, you'll probably be ok to leave it stock. For the perfectionist, it's welcome news. I'll probably get one.

greyharte · Aug 30, 2007

Moto7451 said:
Why they didn't just make it out of Delrin or FRN in the first place is beyond me . I guess the Aluminum was cheaper to have extruded than it would have been to have a mold made to make a plastic top.

cosmetics

weapon · Aug 31, 2007

nikhsub1 said:
Yes but I don't trust any aluminum, IDC what it is plated/coated with.

exactly - if you get one little pinhole in the plating or coating it eventually gets bigger and without knowing it, you end up with mixed metals in the loop and really bad things start happening. aluminum should be abandoned as a material for waterblocks/rads/reservoirs --at least for any part that has contact with coolant.

inkfx · Aug 31, 2007

Alum is probably a lot cheaper for companies to buy than copper. That's the only reason I can see why it's still around.

weapon · Aug 31, 2007

inkfx said:
Alum is probably a lot cheaper for companies to buy than copper. That's the only reason I can see why it's still around.

yes -- that and it is easier and less expensive to machine.

I've always been willing to pay more for copper, though. Why? I have been building H2O systems since before you could buy anything for watercooling and you had to build all of the parts yourself. During that time, I have discovered exactly how expensive it is to have a mixed metal loop go to hell - the cost of copper is cheap in comparison.

Swiftech finally releases a copper top for the GTX

Unoriginal Macho Moderator

Epic Fail Guy

Member

Destroyer of Empires and Use

Senior Moment

Team 32 Folding Member

Unoriginal Macho Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Senior Moment

Member

Member

Magical Leopluridon Senior

Senior Something

Senior Moment

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads