Swiftech MCX64-V

Introduction

Swiftech is one of the first companies that comes to my mind when I think of cooling products. They started out with Celeron heatsinks way back in 1998 and have provided overclockers with quality products ever since. Their innovative pin design heatsinks were, up until recently, considered one of the best performing products in their class. The newest trend in air cooling is the heatpipe, a phase change type of cooling that enhances the performance of air cooled heatsinks. Swiftech has not introduced a heatsink with heatpipe technology because their pin design isn’t compatible with it. They have stuck with the pin design and worked with what they have. Swiftech’s latest heatsinks sport pins bent out in a flower shape to improve performance and reduce noise.

Swiftech MCX64-V

Swiftech doesn’t use fancy packaging. The box works well to keep the heatsink/fan safe during transportation and that’s enough. There isn’t any need to waste money on the packaging because most people are going to throw it out anyway. The box contains the MCX64-V, fan, Arctic Alumina thermal compound, installation accessories, and instructions. It’s nice to see Swiftech include name brand thermal compound instead of just generic compounds. The instruction manual is also nice, as it provides a clear installation diagram with steps.

The MCX64-V includes a fan and uses a thinner 3/8” base with 360 pins rather than the 6400’s 1/2” base and 405 pins. This thinner base and lower pin count is a trade-off with the fan. The fan is included for the budget-minded consumer and also for an all-in-one OEM solution. The heatsink and fan conform strictly to AMD’s thermal guidelines. Swiftech’s older heatsinks used pins standing straight up, but on the current models, the pins are bent outward. The pins are bent to improve efficiency and reduce noise. It also looks awesome.

The base of the MCX64-V is exceptional. I have always been impressed with Swiftech’s lapping and polishing detail. Take note that Swiftech advises against re-lapping or polishing the base, which is probably due to the fact that it’s easy to end up with a less flat base than you started with.

Specifications and Installation

Specifications:

• CNC machined, C110 copper base, flatness better than 0.0003”, micro surface finish 8 or better.
• 360 Helicoid Pins made of High Thermal Conductivity Aluminum Alloy, press fitted in the base.
• Weight: 15.5 oz (440 g) with fan

The Fan:

Fan Specifications:

• Delta Electronics
• 80 x 80 x 25 (mm)
• 31.4 CFM
• 2700 RPM
• 28.0 dBA

Swiftech markets this fan as low noise. I have found it roughly as quiet as the stock AMD Athlon 64 HSF, which is an easily acceptable noise level. It doesn’t have any annoying high pitch sound. The fans are fastened with push-pins. The first time you remove and install the pins can be a pain, but after you do it a couple times, it gets easier. Swiftech includes a fan grill to prevent any accidents from happening.

Installation:

Installing the heatsink couldn’t get much easier Simply remove the screws that hold the motherboard bracket down and place the heatsink on the CPU. Align the holes for the screws, and screw it on. Make sure you slide the washer, spring, and tension limiter on correctly as shown in the instructions. Unlike the 6400, there is no need to remove the motherboard bracket because the 64 uses a thinner base. The MCX64-V is compatible with socket 939, 754, and 940. It doesn’t require the removal of the motherboard as long as the backplate was installed previously. There is less wasted time and it is more simple. Be sure that you have a standard metal back plate. If the screw holes don’t protrude through the mounting holes then it won’t work. Swiftech sells a back plate if you need one or aren’t sure. The MCX64-V is compatible with all known motherboards at the time of its release.

Test Setup and Results

Test Setup and Method:

Ambient temperature was kept at a 22°C (+/- 1°C). Arctic Silver Ceramique thermal compound was used. A temperature probe was placed next to the AMD heatspreaders for temperature measurement. CPUBurn was used to stress the CPU. This test is for the consumer and should not be interpreted scientifically.

Test System Specifications:

• AMD Athlon64 3000+ 90nm Winchester (8 x 300HTT = 2.4GHZ @ 1.55v)
• MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
• Crucial Ballistix PC3200 1GB
• ATI 9500NP

Test Procedures:

• Idling at desktop for 30 minutes
• Full load with CPUBurn for 30 minutes

Results:

I’m really happy with the results. Even though it is a budget overclockers heatsink, it performs very well with a CPU overclocked 600mhz!

Conclusion and Thoughts

The MCX64-V is a great addition to Swiftech’s product line. Swiftech doesn’t cut corners in quality or attention to detail while keeping the costs as low as possible. Competing heatpipe heatsinks may offer more performance, but they sacrifice compatibility and sometimes ease of installation. Easy installation, good performance, and a sweet design make this heatsink a fine choice for the budget overclocker. Those looking for even more performance or already have a favorite fan should take a look at Swiftech’s MCX6400-V.

We would like to thank Sidewinder for providing us the sample. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit us up in the forums. You can also check out more of our latest reviews on the front page.