Swiftech MCX-462

Manufacturer: Swiftech
Supplied by: Swiftech
Price: $72.95

By Dean Barker  (11/15/2001)

Introduction:

There are more aftermarket heatsinks on the market than you can shake a stick at now.  With each successive generation of sinks, the technology has taken air cooling to new levels.  First the Delta fan, then copper bases, followed by all forms and fashions of thin fins, thin rods and other methods to increase surface area.  But one of the most important discoveries has been that size does matter.  (We knew that all along, just didn't want to admit it.)  The larger the heatsink, the more surface area and mass there is to absorb and dissipate the heat through convection.  Swiftech took the horse by the reins when it thrust the MC-462 on the market.  The MC-462 showed a SUBSTANTIAL improvement in thermal performance over the rest of the field.  Since the MC-462, Swiftech has introduced its Helicoid pin design that is ribbed pins to increase surface area.  This technology originally went into the MCX-370 so it was only a matter of time before it was incorporated into the MC-462.  Thus the MCX-462 was born.  We want to thank the folks over at Swiftech for sending us a sample of their newest CPU ware.   

In looking at the MCX-462 the first thing that strikes you is the fan.  That is a Delta SHE 80x80x38mm job that moves 68.5 CFM.  This fan is our personal favorite here at the Penthouse Labs.  It gives excellent flow while not requiring the user to purchase ear-plugs.  There is another Delta fan that is more powerful (Delta EHE.)  The EHE moves 80 CFM but does so at 52.5 decibels.  That’s a level that people who work at airports would even complain about.  The SHE is a good compromise that we are glad to see Swiftech embrace.  The fan mounts have changed with the 462’s revision.  The fan mounts are raised aluminum brackets, level with the top of the fins as opposed to the old method of the fan mount screws going directly into the base.   

In removing the fan you are greeted by 371 aluminum ribbed pins.  This figure is up from the MC-462’s 261 pin count.  You can see the difference between old lion and young lion here.  

This increase in pin count is accomplished by reducing the pin diameter from 3.17mm to 2.38mm.  With the pin count change and the addition of the Helicoid technology, Swiftech claims a 50% increase in surface area.       

The pins are made of aluminum and mount directly into the sink’s copper base.  The pin attachment seems excellent.  We have seen and heard stories of how a good heatsink design would crap out by a poor mounting of pins/fins to the base.     

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