Introduction

The H20-X20 “Edge” series liquid cooling kits represent a true revolution in the world of liquid cooling. In effect, for the first time ever they combine Swiftech’s extreme performance features with an ease of installation and a versatility that will allow all users, beginners and hard core enthusiasts alike to take full advantage of all the benefits afforded by liquid cooling.

Each kit is composed of only two elements:• The patent pending MCR X20 Drive Rev2 which combines radiator, reservoir, and pump into one unit and is also available for sale separately;
• A new version of the Award Winning Apogee XT waterblock.

The kits are available in two models:

• The H20-220 Edge with dual 120mm radiator
• The H20-320 Edge with triple 120mm radiator

What Differentiates the H20-X20 Edge kits from other all-in-one kits available on the market?

• Versatility: the ability to add more devices to the liquid cooling loop; other all-in-one kits available on the market are completely sealed, and users are unable to either add more water-blocks for cooling the graphics, the chipset, or add more radiators if and when needed.

• Performance Range: the ability to tune the cooling system from zero noise to extreme cooling performance;

• Upgradeability: the ability to upgrade the water-block when new CPU form factors will appear on the market, and thus to keep the core cooling system (the MCR Drive radiator-pump) in use for many years to come!

• Reliability: current all-in-one kits have little or no track record with regards to long term use; the H20-X20 Edge kits are backed by Swiftech’s 10 years of experience in the field of liquid cooling;

• Easy Maintenance: what happens when a low cost all-in-one kit fails? there is no possible DIY maintenance because these kits are factory sealed. If disaster strikes, all the parts in the H20-X20 Edge kits can be hot-swapped by the user easily, thus guaranteeing little or no interruption in the use of their system.

• Support: with 10 years of experience designing, manufacturing and setting up liquid cooling systems, Swiftech includes not only multiple hardware sets to accommodate various installation strategies, but also provides the most comprehensive installation guide in the industry, including fully detailed pre-built 3D models, so you can resolve any problem you may encounter when you personalize your system.

Product Description

The patent pending MCR-Drive Rev. 2 radiator has been designed to allow reliable operations in both horizontal and vertical orientations thanks to its new reservoir design. Coupled with the unit, is also the new PWM controlled MCP-35X pump. This pump can be adjusted in speed via the motherboard BIOS from 1300 rpm to run silent, or all the way to 4500 rpm maximum for extreme performance, as well as anywhere in between.

Just like a CPU fan, the pump can also be set on Auto, and be fully managed by the motherboard. Thanks to its unprecented head pressure, the MCP35X pump is ideal to run several devices in the loop such as additional water-blocks for VGA cooling applications, and/or extra radiators.

The second element of these kits, the Apogee XTL, is a budget friendly variant of the Award Winning Apogee XT. It features the same 250 µm micro-pin matrix technology, mounting system, and has identical (world’s best) performance, together with the same flow characteristics. It only differs from the XT by the top housing which is made of black Delrin instead of chrome plated brass, and the absence of reversible inlet/outlet plate which allows use of extra large compression fittings in the XT.

Installation

Everything in the kits has been done to facilitate setup, and to create a professional installation:

• The compact design in itself saves space and time of installation;
• Several sets of hardware are included to hang the radiator internally in multiple fashions (see installation guide p.11)
• When internal installation is not possible, our Radbox is included to allow installation of the radiator at the back of practically any mid-or full tower cases;
• Hardware is included to create an optional external fill-port in the chassis upper panel for easy access to the radiator fill-port (see p.12 of the installation guide);

In addition to the comprehensive installation guide, a CD is included with no less than twenty-four 3D models showing fully detailed configurations that can be viewed with a free 3D viewer. Here are a few snapshots of some of the configurations presented in the CD (click on picture to enlarge):

Some examples of internal installations
H20-220 Edge Front installation	H20-320 Edge Top Installation, SLI
H20-220 Edge with additional MCR320 QP radiator, SLI	H20-320 Edge + H20-220 Edge for full redundancy
Some examples of external installations
H20-220 Edge + Radbox, 1/2″ tubing thru pre-existing holes	H20-320 Edge + Radbox, 3/8″ tubing thru PCI slot

Tubing

Reflecting their true extreme-performance heritage, the kits are delivered with 1/2″ ID (3/4″ OD) tubing and fittings, but they can also optionally be used with 3/8″ ID tubing and fittings (not included).

Platform Compatibility

• All Intel® Core™ Desktop processor family (Core™2, Quad, Duo, Extreme, i5, i7) in socket 775, 1156 and 1366 form factor.
•Intel® Server processor family (Xeon™) in socket 603, 604 and 771 form factors (free hold-down plate sent factory-direct on demand worldwide – see details here)
• AMD® processors in their respective socket form factors – 754, 939, F, AM2 and AM3 (free hold-down plate sent factory-direct on demand worldwide – see details here)

Case compatibility for internal installation

We scouted the web and various forums to identify cases that are compatible for preferably “bolt-on” internal installation, or with very minor modifications; we also contacted various case manufacturers and enquired which of their models would be compatible. Here is a compilation of what we found at the time of this publication; please note that the (*) next to the listed models indicates that they were either validated by us, or listed as compatible by their respective manufacturers. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the provided information for models that we have not validated in house.

Performance Data

Prior to releasing these kits, we published comprehensive test data in two related articles entitled “Actual Influence of Flow Rate on system Temperatures” and “Dual Loop versus Single, the Facts“. These articles contain comprehensive information with respect to the thermal performance that can be expected from both kits in various configurations, including cooling of graphics card(s) in the loop. While the fans used in these tests (52 CFM Gentle Typhoons) were different than those shipped with the kits, users can expect that the performance levels will be equivalent to that of the included fans running at mid-speed (using the 12 to 7v adapters included in the kits), corresponding to mid to low audible noise levels.

Here is a summarized table of results; these tests were performed with Ci7 920 overclocked to 4.1Ghz and running at 1.39v; please also refer to the articles linked above for full configuration details, results and explanations.

ΔT CPU Air °C: the difference in Degrees Celsius, between the temperature of the CPU and that of the ambient air. This presentation of the data identifies the CPU temperature independently of ambient air temperature which varies greatly depending on local conditions, thus reflecting the true performance of the cooling system.

INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

• Apogee XTL water-block: see complete specifications HERE
• MCR220-Drive radiator see complete specifications HERE
• MCR320-Drive radiator see complete specifications HERE
• MCB120 “Radbox” radiator mounting adapter specifications HERE
Pump specifications: see complete specifications HERE

The PWM response curve exhibits the following characteristics:

• From 0 to 12%, the pump will run at ~1300 rpm (+/- 100)
• From 13% to 69%, the rpm will climb progressively
• From 70 to 100% the pump will run at full speed ~4500 rpm (+/- 100)

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing