Introduction:

   Swiftech was the first name that came to mind when I first read about water cooling options. They've been around since 1994 and pretty much immediately had success with their legendary MCX370 for the socket A and socket 478. Between 1999 and 2000, Swiftech became more serious about competing in the market for serious end users and enthusiasts. Their water cooling kits really hit the market in full swing by 2002 and began holding some titles as one of the best, if not the best, water cooling kit makers.

   Swiftech didn't stop there. They continued to push for the greater share of enthusiasts with their thermal electric (TEC) water cooling products. Thermal Electric cooling, you ask? This is where a low voltage DC current is passed over a water block creating a cold and a hot side. Naturally, the cold side is the bottom of the TEC water block that makes contact with the processor.

While TEC is a exceptional cooling concept from Swiftech, we've decided using the more common and economical water cooling solution is what people will use more often. Thanks to Swiftech we have the H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus which is a complete water cooling kit containing three most used water cooling blocks. This is Swiftech's current pinnacle and standardized complete water cooling kit.

H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus

The Kit Package List

Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus

   The first thing you notice when opening this kit is that all the water blocks have a very nice chrome finish. It sports a most impressive "bling" factor when compared to other kits. These water blocks are a modder's delight and should be shown to the world as they pass by your case. Great care was given to the design of these water blocks, so it would almost be a shame to hide these inside a windowless case. You can always upgrade to a new case, so no worries when purchasing this kit.

 

Apogee

MCW30 Chipset

MCW60 VGA

Great Finishes

The Team

   The Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus, is one of the more complete comprehensive liquid cooling kits on the market. You get a complete kit that includes the CPU, VGA, and Chipset water blocks. Most basic kits include the basics just to get you started such as the CPU block, tubing, radiators, fans, pumps, and mounting hardware. This kit is not for the faint of heart as with this kit, you get it all!

 

MCB-120 R2 "Radbox"	Dual 12cm Fans	Acrylic Mountable Reservoir
Clear Tubing	MCP655 Pump	Back Wiring

   This kit includes pretty much every possible mounting scenario that you can imagine. So, if you happen to upgrade to another motherboard, processor, or video card, you will already have the needed hardware no matter the make or model. However, you may eventually have to make some modifications such as installing the tubing in to the new case.

   I was expecting a liquid cooling kit, but when you first see all the many baggies, screws, labels, and 30+ page instruction booklet, you begin to think this is going to be one huge project. I began to organize the numerous contents on my work bench to make the process go as easy as possible. As you can see, this was an extremely busy kit. However, taking a deep breath and reading each labeled item, I realized over half of the contents would not be used in the common installation.

 

The Kit! Everything You Need.

Rad, Pump, Tubing, Reservoir, Assembly

Block Mounting Kits, Barbs, and Clips

Screws, Fan Wires, Coil, Heatsinks

   The tubing is very clean, clear, and pliable, which means it can kink just like most tubing, if you put too much of a bend in it. The barbs for the components are soft enough plastic you can easily tighten them by hand. Each barb has a clamp and O-ring which ensure a very secure, water tight connection. Included with the kit is also a UV reactive Anti-Algae Dye that creates a nice affect making the water glow an alien green.

H20-220 Apex Ultra Plus:

• Complete System Cooling Kit

• Apogee CPU Water-block

• MCW60 VGA Kit

• MCW30 Chipset Water-block

• MCR220 Radiator with 120mm Fans

• MCB-120 R2 "Radbox"

• MCP655 pump

• MCRES Micro Reservoir

• Includes tubing, Smatcoil, Hydrx coolant, and noise reduction accessories

• Includes All Intel and AMD configuration hardware