Swiftech MCW462-UT / MCW478-UT

Company: Swiftech
Product: Intel / AMD compatible water-block w/226w TEC
Street Price: ~ $110.00 USD
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Reviewed By: Joey C. aka Chong345

Condensation Proofing & Insulation:

Items Needed:

• Swiftech Mounting Hardware (Included)
• Dielectric Grease (Available at any auto parts store - Pep Boys has a BIG tube)
• 3/8" OD Tubing (Available at Lowes or Home Depot)
• Basic Set Tools (i.e. screwdriver, pliers, etc...)

On an Intel system, first thing you need to do is remove the P4 retention bracket so that you can mount the included hardware to the motherboard.

Swiftech was nice enough to send us their latest revision of mounting hardware which used metal nuts rather than the traditional nylon (which are in the right picture below). When mounting these on your board make sure that they are centered in hole and tightened well.

When running a TEC module you actually get temperatures below ambient so insulation and condensation proofing is a must. The provided Swiftech gaskets are very well designed and cut to exact specifications. First there is the gasket that goes around the socket on the motherboard, it's cut to conform to the shape of the socket but still clear the holes in the motherboard. Second there is a piece for the back of the motherboard that goes directly under the CPU socket.

First thing to do is use dielectric grease to fill the CPU socket. I also made sure to fill in all the pin holes as well as any gaps between the gasket and the socket. This would insure that the area around the socket would be air tight and also water resistant. Then just insert the CPU like normal except there was a little back pressure from the grease in the socket. This was not a serious issue and is easily solved by holding down the CPU flush with the socket while at the same time closing the lever locking the CPU in place.

After installing the CPU, the gasket was applied to the top which fits very snugly around the socket Be sure to fill in the rest of the gaps with dielectric grease around the top side of the CPU.

Continue To Page 3 -->