Heatsinks: Swiftech MCX4000 vs. Alpha PAL8942 Review

[Mikki]

If you haven't seen Thugsrook's comparison of these two P4 heatsink leaders, check it out here (http://www.bleedinedge.com/reviews/mcx4000_v_pal8942/mcx4000_v_pal8942.html). The rumors are now fact...;)

Feel free to post comments and questions about the review in this thread. :)

[Sir_JaKoNT|L]

quite simple yet reliable review!

funtastic thugs!

now it is clear my HSF is the winner! :beer:

[MrMajestyk]

Here's another Alpha 8942 v Swiftech MCX4000 match-up I found.

Alpha v Swiftech (http://www.ocaddiction.com/reviews/cooling/mcx4000_vs_pal8942/)

Seems to reinforce Thugsrook's findings. They only used 80mm fans though.

The model revision 4000-B supports a 92mm fan.

Now just gotta decide which 92mm Panaflo I get for a P4P800 + 2.4C ?? :yummy:

[Mikki]

The 92mm L1A Panaflo should be plenty good enough....and it'll be quiet too....;)

[ThugsRook]

Originally posted by Mikki
The 92mm L1A Panaflo should be plenty good enough....and it'll be quiet too....;)
no actually the 92mm L1A was horrible on the Swiftech.
id suggest the 92mm M1A insted.

:)

[LastRide]

I use the Panaflo 92mm Panaflo "HIGH" H1A.:) .I don't find it noisy at all.

[Sir_JaKoNT|L]

i think mine is just MCX4000, but can i use a 92mm fan without converter?

[Mikki]

Originally posted by ThugsRook
no actually the 92mm L1A was horrible on the Swiftech.
id suggest the 92mm M1A insted.

:)
You're the one that told me to use it!!! hehe.....:p:rolleyes:

[pastorjay]

L1a was just "ok" for me. I will be getting an M1A soon to compare.

And Sir_JaKoNT|L, you have to use the convertor.

PJ

[MrMajestyk]

Panaflo M1A.

Is that the 48cfm/30dba or the 56cfm/35dba ??

Panasonic's web site is playing up. :D

[ThugsRook]

Originally posted by MrMajestyk
Panaflo M1A.
Is that the 48cfm/30dba or the 56cfm/35dba ??
48cfm/30dba

[MrMajestyk]

Originally posted by ThugsRook
48cfm/30dba

Cheers M8. :wave:

[Sir_JaKoNT|L]

Originally posted by pastorjay
L1a was just "ok" for me. I will be getting an M1A soon to compare.

And Sir_JaKoNT|L, you have to use the convertor.

PJ

aww i hate using convertor

[MrMajestyk]

Where can I get a 92mm M1A in the US ?

Can only seem to find L1A and H1A.

[Jim]

Directron's (http://www.directron.com/f298.html) got 'em. :-)

[pastorjay]

Originally posted by ProfessorFate
Directron's (http://www.directron.com/f298.html) got 'em. :-)

Ordered mine...

PJ

[MrMajestyk]

Originally posted by ProfessorFate
Directron's (http://www.directron.com/f298.html) got 'em. :-)

Tx for the link :wave:

[ThugsRook]

:!: expensive :!:

:cry:

ill wait for results like a good boy ;)

[pastorjay]

Well, we will see how good she performs

[MrMajestyk]

Originally posted by ThugsRook
:!: expensive :!:

:cry:

ill wait for results like a good boy ;)

Too right !

I need an MCX4000. Better at SVC or Hardcore Cooling.:yummy:

[MrMajestyk]

Anyone know if the MCX4000 fits an IS7 ??;)

[ThugsRook]

looks like it should fit just fine ~ of course ya never know til someone has actually tried it.

:wave:

[pastorjay]

I should be trying it tomorrow night...

PJ


Originally posted by ThugsRook
looks like it should fit just fine ~ of course ya never know til someone has actually tried it.

:wave:

[MrMajestyk]

Me ordered one :D

Hope it fits cos I've sold my p4533 complete with cpu and Alpha.:rolleyes:

[ThugsRook]

i finally got a Panaflo 92mm M1A ~ it performs exactly the same as the T&T fan i was previously using.

i also tried a Panaflo 120mm L1A ~ didnt help any (was slightly worse actually)

:wave:

[pastorjay]

Thugs,

How is the noise level compared to your T&T fan?

[ThugsRook]

same ~ nice and quiet :-)

[LastRide]

I am tempted to give the SLK-900 a shot.The MCX4000 seems fine but load temps are a little high.

[Mikki]

Originally posted by LastRide
I am tempted to give the SLK-900 a shot.The MCX4000 seems fine but load temps are a little high.
I wouldn't mind reviewing the slk-900 myself...;)

Not sure why your load temps are high, what fan are you using? :)

[LastRide]

I am using a Panaflo 92mm "HIGH" fan 56.8cfm 35dba.Its actually fairly quite even though its 35dba.All you hear is a little air flow.I also have the "LOW" version also 42.7cfm 27dba.I don't notice much of a difference in noise so I use the "HIGH".I think pj has both so maybe he can tell us if there is much of a difference between tHE MCX4000 and the SLK-900.:)

[ThugsRook]

do you have a case fan blowing on your cpu fan?

[LastRide]

No,I was using the side panel fan before so that might have been it.I don't use it anymore.

[ThugsRook]

no youre right ~ you shouldnt use a case fan blowing on your cpu fan.

just wanted to make sure you werent using one.

:)

[pastorjay]

Sorry, i don't have the 900... maybe I should try one though.. hehehe

[LastRide]

I thought you picked one up a while back.I guess that was someone else when we were doing those tests over at AT.:scratch:

[ThugsRook]

after reading all the MCX mod threads popping up all over the net i thought id try a few of them to see if they are worth anything.

follow along.....

TEST SYSTEM
p4 2.53b @ 3446mhz 181fsb
ABIT IC7 (canterwood)

http://home.comcast.net/~d2rook/wc/4a.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~d2rook/wc/3a.jpg

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #1 <
* normal setup ~ panaflo 92mm M1A blowing onto the heatsink
* room temp 76*F

MAX.....
CPU = 62.5*C / NB = 29*C / Mosfets = 46*C

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #2 <
* reverse the fan direction

CPU = 66.5*C / NB = 30*C / Mosfets = 47*C

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #3 <
* not willing to give up on reverse flow just yet. installed a 120mm panaflo L1A as a side panel exaust fan and made some makeshift ductwork for a direct CPU exaust system

CPU = 64.5*C / NB = 31*C / Mosfets = 46*C

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #4 <
* ok now i give up on reversed flow ;)
back to normal direction but this time i placed a fan spacer UNDER the fan.
the fan spacer is a gutted 92mm fan housing

CPU = 64*C / NB = 29*C / Mosfets = 47*C

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #5 <
* im still not making ANY headway :mad:
ok this time i removed the fan spacer and placed it ONTOP of the cpu fan acting like a baffle/intake scoop

CPU = 63*C / NB = 30*C / Mosfets = 47.5*C

-----------------------------------------------------------------

> TEST #6 <
* removed the test 5 mod & installed a 120mm panaflo side panel fan blowing onto the CPU HSF

CPU = 67*C / NB = 32*C / Mosfets = 45*C


:lol: THIS DOES NOT WORK! DUH! :lol:

> do not ever use a case fan to blow onto your existing CPU HS&F <

-----------------------------------------------------------------

CONCLUSION
i wasted an entire day and got nowhere!
all these mods are useless on my system and will most likely be useless on yours too.

back to stock :-)


> RETEST RESULTS <
* normal setup ~ panaflo 92mm M1A blowing onto the heatsink

CPU = 63*C / NB = 29*C / Mosfets = 46.5*C


:wave:

[eva2000]

guess i'm happy with my 2x mcx4000 rev 1 heatsinks then :D

[ThugsRook]

can you tell im an EX-automotive hot rodder?

RAM-AIR baby! :-)

[LastRide]

Thanks for waisting your time and saving ours.:na: :rotflmao:

[Mikki]

Well thanks for wasting an entire day for us Thugs...:rolleyes:

[eva2000]

Originally posted by LastRide
Thanks for waisting your time and saving ours.:na: :rotflmao: LOL

[Qba73]

i have a mcx4000 with a thermaltake smartfan 2 (73 cfm @ 4500rpm) and not too loud at all, i only need 3500rpms to keep me cool @ my oc which is sweet, then again i run open case with central air in the house ;)