Test Setup and methodology

Leeghoofd's I7 940 Test Setup
CPU	Intel I7 950 @ 3.8Ghz 1.20 vcore HT ON
Cooling	MCP655 vario 2 and 5, Thermochill PA120.3
Mainboard	Asus Rampage Gene II 0809 bios
Memory	6Gb Corsair Dominator PC16000 C8-8-8-24 1T
PSU	Enermax Galaxy 1kw

Like in the previous roundup we tested using the same method. Here's a quick overview

The Apogee XT blocks was remounted 3 times (in the by the manufacturer recommended optimal position ) by using the supplied mounting kit.

I used a little carton template to get the same amount of TIM on the IHS. The Arctic Cooling MX2 (provided by JAHA.BE) was spread out by the pressure of the water block mounting. After the tests, the TIM was checked for a good spread out. If there was a bad mount the test would be repeated.

Tubing used was 2 meters of Tygon Black 3/8" tubing.

The Pump test were done via the MCP655 Vario equipped with an EK Waterblocks D5-X TOP, this to allow 1/4 AG fittings (pump speed setting 2 and 5 tested)

The total amount of fluid used each time was 800ml of Aquatuning Innovatek Pro fluid.

All test were started at 22°C ambient temp. The rig was allowed to heat up the fluid, during half an hour at idle speed. Load test was done at 3.8ghz at 1.2Vcore (no EIST enabled). Small note : under load the Asus Rampage Gene II, tends to slightly overvolt. So during testing the Vcore was fluctuating between 1.20-1.21Vcore.

As testing program I used Prime95 Custom 20K run for 1 hour stressing all 8 cores ( HT enabled )

The CPU temp was monitored by Everest Home and the Core temperatures by Realtemp. The latter is a nice program as it logs the highest core temps measured (making my life easier).

Pump speed set at Vario 2



Yes ladies and gentlemen, we have a new king. I tested and retested this block as I remain very skeptical with the claims manufacturers predict. Swiftech's claim however, of a 3°C over the previous GTZ block, comes very close to the observations I made. I hardly thought there would be a block that could match or even surpass performance wise, the high flow super Heatkiller 3.0 block. Swiftech engineers have pulled it off. A very good show there (think they will get a nice end of year present by their CEO ;-) ) You may wonder ; where are the alternative inlet readings ? They are about 0.1-0.3 worse then when the fluid is injected via the middle as this inlet position limits the flow a bit. Now let's increase the flow rate and see if she can keep the top spot secured.

Pump speed set at Vario 5



This new kid on the block remains on the number one spot, also after we maxed out the MCP655 pump. The lead is a bit less then with the vario 2 setting. But it remains a clear win. Water-cooling tests are getting harder and harder to do as these blocks are really so close performing.

Take note that I only use a single pump unit and that performance can vary from review to review. Loads of our American friends use dual and even triple pump setups, to push these blocks to their limits. Mostly they also stick with the 1/2 tubing and pump heavy volts through their test-bed. European loops tend to be less high flow, utilizing smaller bore tubing etc... I just install these blocks in my daily loop configuration. A setup that I suspect many readers will use themselves.

Temperature gain between flow 2 and 5 setting