Swiftech MCW60 Rev2

The Swiftech MCW60 has been around for quite a while and has been extremely popular over the years. I was not able to get my hands on an original but was able to score a used Rev2 (or Version 2) thanks to forum sales. The MCW60 Rev2 is a spin-off of the Apogee GT CPU block sharing an identical base design. Like the Apogee GT, the MCW60 has significant staying power and I continue to see MCW60′s in use, which is why we had to have one for our roundup. Part of the staying power is the ability to change mount plates, which Swiftech releases when NV or AMD/ATI introduce new spacing, letting the MCW60 continue to live on. Mount plate changes are extremely simple, just four allen screws and the plate comes off, and you do not need to take the block fully apart. A few other notable features/design choices are the stepped base helping with contact to the GPU core/IHS and the large barb ports. Now those barb ports are recessed, so a larger/fatter o-ring may be required if you are using non-Swiftech barbs.

   
  

Mounting and installation, this followed Swiftech tradition and was a breeze even though there are a few steps. Swiftech uses M2.5 screws through the backside of the card held in place by washers and nuts. Get the block onto the posts and then use the springs, plastic standoffs and thumbnuts to secure the block to the card… there, that is it. This static post mounting system is just great for multiple mounts and ensuring you get adequate pressure on the GPU core.

Swiftech MCW80

Keeping with running theme of universal GPU blocks born from their CPU block pedigree, the MCW80 was released shortly after the Apogee XT. The MCW80 shares an extensive pin array, but uses a vastly different flow pattern, sporting a cross pattern versus the center shot found on the XT. Additionally, the chamfered inlet/outlet is gone from the MCW60, which may contribute to the restriction numbers we will see later. A feature Swiftech carried over from the MCW60 to the MCW80 is the mount system and changeable mount plates. I used the same G80 plate on the MCW80 that I did for the MCW60 for testing. One thing that was improved on the MCW80 is the barb ports do not interfere with the screws when changing plates, which was not really a big problem anyway. One last item to point out, Swiftech went with a flat base for the MCW80 versus the step, which I personally would have like to see the stepped base carried over to the MCW80.

   
  

Mounting and installation wise, the process is the exact same for the MCW80 as it is for the MCW60, so no need to repeat the process here. I will point out that Swiftech does include a backplate for G92, but not for G200 or G80. Rather disappointed here, because I would have much preferred a backplate for both MCW60 and the MCW80.