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Theoretical Conclusions In order to facilitate a proper reading using our equipment, we are going to have to turn to mathematics and formula's calculated by Swiftech to get a better understanding of the performance of this kit. Seeing how our environment sensors shut down at 0.0°C we can use this graph to come to a better understanding. Our rig uses approximately 40 watts under the conditions that our software based application consumes to read those temperatures and we end up with a base reading of minus -5.0°C ~ -6.0°C, so we can say that our rig will idle even lower when not sampling temperatures! Hoorah! To project the processor temperature at full load, we need first to establish the power dissipation of our 2.2GHz 3500+ AMD Athlon64 Winchester core CPU. The AMD Specifications number for our processor is ADA3500DIK4BI, and its maximum heat dissipation is given at 67 watts at default max load according to AMD' specifications. Now, Looking at the graph we can see the degree at which various loads effects cold plate temperatures. Let's take a look. 
Our coolant was sampled at approximately 32.0°C so we will effectively use the pink bar as that is our exact coolant temp. According to the graph represented by Swiftech, the kit is performing almost exactly as advertised. So I can effectively agree that the kit performs as specified. Keep in mind however that no two circumstances are the same from rig to rig, so there may be a larger margin of error on other configurations. Three Considerations Among enthusiast users, the primary reason for implementing a TEC kit is extreme overclocking: The integrated circuit industry rule of thumb states that an IC will gain an average of 2 to 3% in operating frequency for every 10°C drop in operating temperature. A good TEC kit will afford a gain of anywhere between 30 to 50°C below conventional air cooled solutions. The second reason is cost: A TEC cooling solution can be implemented for much less (30 to 50%) than a phase-change refrigeration system. The third reason is a combination of cost and convenience: In many cases you can install a TEC cooling solution while keeping you existing components. Maximum CPU Power Rating The 226W TEC module is very effective up to 120 Watts. After that, the CPU temperature will start to rise to a point where it is no longer effective compared to a straight liquid cooling solution. While your CPU could overclock to the maximum under ideal conditions, the other components in the system might become limiting factors: chipset, memory, etc... When system configuration is your limiting factor, there is no point chilling a CPU any more than what is actually necessary. So a TEC solution may make a lot of sense compared to a phase-change system. On the other hand, and providing that all your components allow it, if your CPU exceeds 120 Watts at full-load, you will be able to squeeze more MHz out of it by going the phase-change route. It's a higher cost, but when max overclock is your unique goal cost is no object. Being said, if you are an enthusiast on a budget, seeking excellent over-clocking head room - beyond anything water-cooling can do and want to have a rig that is still mobile and easily transportable, this is the kit for you - hands down! Some Bling Not only will you get engineering at it's best, you will get excellent performance, superior cooling over air cooled solutions and to sweeten the deal, the coolant is UV reactive and provides some interesting effects at night. Take a look: 
If your seeking something that's significantly better than water-cooling but cannot afford a phase change refrigeration system, then this is your answer. This kit for the money is amazing and we highly recommend the TEC alternative to phase change. Final Thoughts The Swiftech H20-120-64T™ for AMD® Athlon™64 processors, is the only full blown integrated product solution on the market that sits between water cooling and phase change refrigeration units. Ask anyone what is the best alternative to phase change systems and everyone will agree that thermoelectric modules are cost effective and the definitive answer to phase change cooling without the high cost. Granted you will get sub-zero temperatures with a phase change system, but you will pay twice as much for a system that does so. Paying all that money does not guarantee you will run at record breaking speeds. Many circumstances including hardware limitations will play a part in the overall performance gains as mentioned above. The kit includes everything you need to get the job done properly. The installation guide is the most complete in the industry. All of the insulation material is provided to elleviate most of the condensation that could build up, which will vary based on ambient environment temperatures and hardware that kit will be used in. In short you have everything needed to necessitate the best performance possible from a complete kit. Don't let the term "kit" fool you, this is not just a kit with some blocks and radiator added and sold to the masses. This is a highly engineered setup with state of the art parts and components designed to work with each other in conjuction with your hardware. Swiftech uses the most advanced and scientific methods in the industry to bring this kit together, each part is scientifically analyzed, tested and scrutinized, taking the guess work out of what works well with what parts. The performance is somewhere between the best watercooling system under ideal conditions and that of a phase change system, this kit can put your CPU at near freezing temps at idle and runs near freezing under full load. With our results coming in at 5.0°C ~ 5.5°C under full load at stock configurations. The proof is in the pudding. While we are not sub-zero with this kit, in order to do so, you will pay twice as much for that performance. This kit fits our criteria perfectly. For one we can still carry the rig around it to LAN parties and computer shows, secondly I don't want to spend a grand plus for something that I cant take with me or my hardware will not benefit from and last but not least, this kit allows our rig to play the most insane game titles below 5.0°C while stable on a hefty over-clock for half the price of phase change. Swiftech is the only company that is able to supply a kit in its own class and has its own segment, which is a kit that sits in between phase change and water cooling and Swiftech offers this kit to you for a very decent price over phase change. So for those who are looking for something in between the phase change systems and the best water chillers, still want that rig mobile and easily transportable, take a look at this bad boy and give it a try. This kit can run days on end with no adverse effects, no problems and it runs quiet! You will not hear the noises associated with a phase change system nor will you hear anything other than your hard drives and fans. We put our radiator fans on the motherboard power headers so we can control the fan speeds in BIOS, this allows us to conveniently adjust noise over performance by a simple BIOS tweak. On an ending note this kit will cost you $550.00 USD and in my book is worth every penny. I like the excellent craftsmanship and performance, ease of installation and the bragging rights. We use our test beds to compile our reviews on and we just don't see a need for having sub-zero temps for our rigs, while we are in perspective, those who have phase change systems have them for a reason and they just differ from ours. We do not disregard phase change technology or have a problem with it, we just have a system here that fits our needs and our budget and that's why we like it. Not to mention its in a class by its self and this is just another reason why we are giving it the editors choice award. Available at:
Pros: Cons: - Meanwell power supply runs very hot - could cause case temperatures to rise without proper ventilation. Even using a blow hole the heat transfers to case chassis by way of mounting brackets.
Swiftech's response to the Meanwell findings: Mr. Gabe Rouchon: The S320 will get hot even with a blow hole, unless you install a low flow 80mm (30cfm) on the blow hole, which I typically do when I install systems here. The hot air from the PSU is then constantly extracted, and the overheating protection of the S320 -which is quite noisy because of its 60mm fan, will never even quick-in! * Components in the system might become limiting factors: chipset, memory, etc...
Swiftech
1703-1705 E. 28th St.,
Signal Hill, CA 90755
USA (Aug., 05-2005) Edit: The MCP655 pump reference's in our review was modified and edited to reflect the fact our MCP650 mis-labelled pump was in deed a MCP655. (Aug., 06-2005) Edit: Fixed miscellaneous syntax errors, added content to page 9 that explains water block thermal functionality. (Sept., 02-2005) Edit: Optimized front page - added page to the review, edit last page.
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