Dear Forum members, in response to Mr Tom Logan’s review of this product, I have the following comments which I would like to share with you here.
I. On the subject of poor performance of the H220 relative to Corsair H100i on the 2011 platform at approximately equal fan speed.
Our observations are as follows:
Possible factor #1 – operating fan speed : Swiftech was tested at fixed 12v (1800 rpm) and Corsair H100i was tested in Balanced mode.
According to Corsair, I cite:
“The "Low Noise", "Balanced", and "High Performance" settings are not strict fan RPMs, but performance curves that let the fans spin up based on internal coolant temp. Their settings are as follows:
Low Noise - 900 RPM to 1300 RPM
Balanced - 1300 RPM to 2000 RPM
High Perf - 1600 RPM to 2600 RPM”
Therefore, because of the high heat load generated by this particular processor (150W +++) it is possible/likely that the Corsair fans operated at their maximum of 2000 RPM in such balanced mode (versus the H220 1800 RPM), which certainly could account for a 2C loss for the Swiftech unit against the Corsair.
Possible factor #2 –Thermal compound - Assuming that all units were tested with the same thermal compound
In our own lab testing, and at high temperature loads, we have measured more than 2C difference between our TIM-Mate 2 and Corsair’s pre-applied compound. So by testing the units with a better compound than the original pre-applied stuff, this could artificially boost performance of the Corsair by up to 2C, which is not representative of the product performance “as shipped”.
For further clarifications, Swiftech’s position on the subject matter of doing comparative testing/reviews of AIO units is that they should be tested in two stages, and the relevant data reported to readers as follows:
1. “as received”, based on the rationale that the vast majority of these products is sold to first time users who do not generally replace the thermal compound, particularly when it is pre-applied, and
2. with the same thermal compound so as to establish the thermal characteristics of the product using the same baseline, which provides additional information to the more advanced users.
For the record, all comparative test data published by Swiftech is based on item 1 in accordance with the above stated belief.
Conclusions:
Both of the above factors combined yield up to 4C or more in favor of the Corsair. When readjusted downwards as such, the data would be consistent with our own testing at +/- 1C. In effect, we observed in our lab that the Corsair H100i unit performed substantially better than the earlier H100 version on the Socket LGA 2011 platform compared to 1155 and 1366, and came close (by 1.7C) to the performance of our H220 at equal fan speed on this particular platform.
II. On the subject of Expandability and other matters
• We noticed a factual error in Mr Logan’s presentation, and would like to correct it; he says erroneously and I cite: “it is technically a DDC”. As explained at length in our video presentations the pump is entirely Swiftech developed and Swiftech manufactured. It is not “Technically” a Laing Made DDC.
• We cannot respond in details to Mr Logan’s comments on the subject of our kit’s expandability, such as adding a VGA in particular, because the opinions expressed by Mr Logan are not backed by factual data. We can only state that we
DEMONSTRATED the product to be fully expandable to a full panel of media specialists during CES.
III. On the subject of tubing length
We could not but notice Mr Logans’ extreme frustration regarding the above subject matter. What we can respond with is this:
o as far as the primary target user is concerned (first time user), we intentionally supply longer tubing than other AIO kits with the H220 because we genuinely believe that it will provide more choices to users in terms of installation of the product in their case, such as frontal installation, or installation at the bottom of the case.
o As far as the DIY enthusiast user is concerned, our decision was based on the rationale that the H220 tubing can be replaced at will by such users.
We want to thank overclock3D.net for granting a Gold Award to the H220 CPU cooler, and hope that the above commentaries will further assist users in deciding which kit is right for them.
Gabriel Rouchon
CEO
