Introduction

Do you want to over clock? (YES) Do you want to cool your over clocked CPU? (YES) Don't want to break the bank cooling your over clocked CPU? (YES). Well then, you have come to the right place. Today I will be taking a look at the Swiftech MCX370 from the CoolerGuys. I will be showing you the differences between noisy 60MM Fans and somewhat quiet 80MM fans using a 60MM to 80MM Fan Adapter also from the CoolerGuys. As some of you may not know, the Swiftech MCX370 is one of the latest patents to come out of Swiftech. Heat sink patent? HUH? Yes. Swiftech uses a new Helicoid Pin Design compared to their old Pin Design, and opt not to use the classic Fin Design that most other companies use. Does this new Helicoid Pin Design work better then the classic Fin Design? We shall find out soon enough. Before we do that though, lets check out the pretty packaging that the MCX370 comes in.

Oooh. So pretty. The last Swiftech MC370, that I purchased almost a year ago now, came in packaging that was no where near as nice as this. Styrofoam inserts on the bottom and top of the heat sink to help protect it better. Much better then days of old.

Specs

• Base Dimensions: 2.5x2.5x.5" - 63.5x63.5x12.7mm
  
• Base Material: Aluminum alloy 6063 (209 W/m-K)
  
• Base Flatness: Better than .001" - 25µ
  
• Base Micro Surface Finish: 8 or better
  
• Heat Dissipation Medium: 188 Helicoid pins (patent pending), made of high conductivity aluminum alloy 1100 (218 W/m-K)
  
• Heat Sink Overall Dimensions 2.5x2.5x1.63" - 63.5x 63.5x41.4mm
  
• Weight: 8 oz - 227 g

Mounting System:

"2 retaining clips attaching to the socket (socket A, or socket 370) - Unequal length compression springs meet AMD and Intel Heat Sink to CPU pressure specifications. Effective 10/17/2001 all MCX370™ series heat sink are shipped with the new 3 Tab clip design."

The clip design on the MCX370 that I am reviewing is the original 2 retaining clips with springs that attach the heat sink to the center socket tabs.

If any of you have owned or do own a Swiftech, you may have noticed how smooth the base of the heat sink is. That is not the case with the MCX370. The base of this heat sink has got to be one of the worst that I have ever seen. Why did Swiftech manufacture the heat sink with a base like this and not the way they have done in the past? In response to an e-mail that I sent out while writing up this review, I got an answer from Swiftech.

"The grain effect that you see is purely visual. The product is lapped and hand polished on a 2000 equivalent diamond paper. When the paper is brand-spanking-new, the first few heat sinks that we hand polish tend to show a little more grain, that's all. The picture you showed me does qualify for our standard #8 micro surface finish. Once the polishing paper has been used-and-abused, the grain shows less, but at a microscopic level, the variation is no more than a micron between the two.

Run your fingernail against the grain. You will not be able to feel it at all. :-)"

Well, Swiftech is somewhat correct here. It is mainly visual, but I am able to feel a very slight grain. I guess the way the base looks and feels really doesn't matter since you never see it and the MCX370 still out performs a lot of other heat sinks.

Testing Info

I will be using the Swiftech MCX370 for this entire review as the heat sink. The fan will be the only thing that change in between tests. The computer will remain the same for the entire review also. To simulate idle temperature, I booted up the computer and let it run for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes of running I recorded the idle temperature. For maximum or load temperature, I use Sisoft Sandra Burn-In test utilizing the CPU-Multimedia Burn-In Testing. I have noticed that my CPU Temps seem to max higher with this test then any other test out there. After looping the burn in process for 40 consecutive loops, approximately 13 to 14 minutes, I recorded the load temperature. Here are the specs of the computer:

• AMD T-Bird 900MHz @ 1.7v | 1150MHz @ 1.85v (Over clocked)
  
• MSI K7T Turbo
  
• 256MB PC133
  
• 20GB ATA100 7200RPM
  
• Prophet II MX 64

60MM Fan Specs:

• Papst 60 x 60 x 25 MM, Model# TYP 612 NHH, 32.9CFM, 43dB (in free air)
  
• YS-Tech 60 x 60 x 25 MM, Model# NFD126025BB-2F, 39CFM, 47.4dB (in free air)
  
• Delta 60 x 60 x 38 MM, Model# FFB0612EHE, 50.15CFM, 54.5dB (in free air)

See these 60MM fans at the CoolerGuys. The Papst fan comes as an option according to the CoolerGuys with the MCX370.

80MM Fan Specs:

• Delta 80 x 80 x 38 MM, Model# FFB0812SHE, 68.51CFM, 48.5dB (in free air)
  
• Mechatronics 80 x 80 x 25 MM, Model# F8025X12B1, 51CFM, 35dB (in free air)
  
• Sunon 80 x 80 x 25 MM, Model# KD1208PTB2, 39CFM, 32dB (in free air) | Listed as 35CFM @ 33dB on CoolerGuys.com
  
• Sunon 80 x 80 x 25 MM, Model# KD1208PTB1, 39.5CFM, 33dB (in free air) | Listed as 39.5CFM @ 36dB on CoolerGuys.com
  
• Sunon 80 x 80 x 25 MM, Model# KD1208PTBX-6A, 50.6CFM, 40.6dB (in free air) | Not listed on Sunon's Website.

See these 80MM fans at the CoolerGuys. Fan Adapter not included with any 80MM fan purchase. Must purchase Fan Adapter or kit separately.

The testing will show the differences between 900MHz Removing Air (Sucking) and Pushing Air (Blowing). It will also show you the differences between 1150MHz Removing Air (Sucking) and Pushing Air (Blowing). These tests are not 100% accurate and Virtual-Hideout nor myself will be held accountable for any differences in temperature you may get with your system. Also, Virtual-Hideout, Swiftech, and the CoolerGuys are not responsible for any damage that you may inflict on your CPU or system. Plus, if you crush a core with the Swiftech MCX370, then you should have never opened the side of your case in the first place ;p

From Left to Right: Swiftech MCX370 with 60MM x 25MM, 60MM x 38MM, 80MM x 25MM w/ Fan Adapter, 80MM x 38MM w/ Fan Adapter

Here are some different shots of the Fan Adapter by Innovatek.

Here are the 3 60MM Fans used for this test and review.

Here are the 3 Sunon Fans used for this test and review.

Here are the Delta 80MM x 38MM and the Mechatronics 80MM x 25MM fans used for this test and review.

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