Swiftech MCX4000

Top rank P4 heatsink — Joe

SUMMARY: Good cooling at noise levels that are not excessive.

MCX4000

Swiftech was nice enough to send a sample of their latest P4 heatsink, the MCX4000. This is an evolutionary product based on the Swiftech MCXC370 technology with a P4 base. The base

Base

is typical Swiftech – flat and massive – a full 3/8″ thick of copper, studded with aluminum pins. The heatsink mounts to the motherboard on standoffs using spring loaded bolts; mounting the MCX4000 requires removal of the motherboard. Removing it may require motherboard removal if the bolts are not held in place with something like Loctite.

The fan is a YS Tech TMD fan Model #PD1270155B-2F – a 74 x 15mm unit rated at 37 cfm @ 5800 rpm. The sample I had ran at 5185 rpm. The fan is mounted on rubber washers which dampens noise somewhat. Note that you can use either a 70 or 80mm fan – your choice.

I found it to be tolerably quiet – I measured its noise at 61 dBA with a Radio Shack sound meter 8″ from the fan’s intake, substantially less than a Delta 38 (about 69 dBA); YS Tech rates it at 39 dBA. It draws 3.8 watts, so it should be safe to use a motherboard fan header.

In summary, typical Swiftech quality with secure mounting requiring motherboard removal.

THE TEST

The MCX4000 was first tested on the CPU Die Simulator which gives results that are unaffected by motherboard influences. I then tested it on a Lucky Star P4A845D with a modified P4 1500 to read CPU case temps, as an example of what users might see on their systems.

TEST RESULTS – CPU Simulator

Heatsink
Die Temp
Ambient Temp
Delta
C/W
MCX4000
53.6 C
26.0 C
27.6 C
0.37

TEST RESULTS – Motherboard
CPU/Motherboard

CPU Case Temp

Ambient Temp

Delta

C/W

MBM Temp

P4 1500, Lucky Star P4A845D

39.7 C

28.3 C

11.4

0.20

33 C

Delta = CPU temp – Ambient Temp
C/W = Delta / CPU Watts

Interpreting C/W: For every watt (CPUw) that the CPU
consumes, the HSF will limit the CPU’s temperature rise to (C/W x CPUw)
plus the temperature at the HSF’s fan inlet. For example, at an ambient temp of 25 C, a C/W of 0.25 with a CPU radiating 50 watts means that CPU temp will increase 50 x 0.25 = 12.5 C over ambient temp, or 37.5 C. The lower the C/W, the better.

Motherboard results place the MCX4000 in the top rank of heatsinks (Heatsink Ranking).

CONCLUSIONS

The MCX4000 delivers very good cooling at noise levels that are not excessive.

The MCX4000 is available from The Heatsink Factory. Thanks again to Swiftech for sending this our way.

Email Joe

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