Swiftech MCP655-PWM Pump

[VSG]

The Swiftech MCP655 is perhaps the most well-known retail option of the Laing D5 pump and is Swiftech's attempt at bringing to market a pump that is proven to be reliable, quiet, and high performing. The additional touches provided by Swiftech include a vibration dampening mounting kit and an acrylic top promising good performance and aesthetics alike.

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[BoyE]

VSG, I got a question; Is all of your reviews going to be on TPU for the future or is your website still active? Just found the site, and I must say that it has been quite useful for me for picking my radiator fans.

Anyway, I love your reviews

 

[Ubersonic]

Never really saw the point in a PWM D5, just get a vario and adjust it to whatever speed makes the least annoying noise while still offering adequate flow, job done.

 

[VSG]

VSG, I got a question; Is all of your reviews going to be on TPU for the future or is your website still active? Just found the site, and I must say that it has been quite useful for me for picking my radiator fans.

Anyway, I love your reviews

I just got done with a MASSIVE GPU block testing, of which a couple will be here and most on Thermal bench. The way I am thinking is more mainstream relevant watercooling here (kits, expandable AIOs etc) and the occasional component only review such as the upcoming Phanteks and EVGA GPU blocks. Of course any component sent for a particular website will be posted there.

Rest assured my website isn't closing down, even though it hasn't had much activity recently

Never really saw the point in a PWM D5, just get a vario and adjust it to whatever speed makes the least annoying noise while still offering adequate flow, job done.

I am past the days of manually shifting a knob now, especially with me currently building an ITX water-cooled HTPC. I would personally prefer PWM control. A good option would be to offer both, such as what Alphacool did with their new VPP755 pump.

 

[deu]

I dont see why they dont install rubber between the metal brackets and the acrylic to reduce vibration and noise :S One can do that manually but it still annoys me :0

OT Good to see some water review on the site! I tend to sway back and forth between loops and air :S

 

[VSG]

I dont see why they dont install rubber between the metal brackets and the acrylic to reduce vibration and noise :S One can do that manually but it still annoys me :0

OT Good to see some water review on the site! I tend to sway back and forth between loops and air :S

I actually tried that, but wasn't satisfied with the grip level. The main source of vibration is to/from the case so with that accounted for there's not much left on the bracket to top junction.

 

[Ubersonic]

I am past the days of manually shifting a knob now

You don't need to shift it, you just set it once when you build the loop and forget about it. That's why PWM is just snake oil for pumps because it doesn't add any performance it just changes the noise/pitch frequency (which is something you ideally want static not dynamic).

 

[VSG]

You don't need to shift it, you just set it once when you build the loop and forget about it. That's why PWM is just snake oil for pumps because it doesn't add any performance it just changes the noise/pitch frequency (which is something you ideally want static not dynamic).

PWM control has nothing to do with the frequency of the pump noise. All it is, is another means of speed control. Some prefer it, others don't. But it is most definitely not snake oil.

 

[bogami]

Excellent dependable ! capable ! quiet! pump... For years I use it and I have no problems with them.
It has excellent design solutions since the rotor and the magnet floats in operation. Magnet , It becomes a a stabilizer and the flywheel with a minimum of friction. floats and the rubber bearing eliminate vibration at the same time . rubber wears to a rotor at the start allows no hitting on the walls of the snail, and the smaller friction also the hidden structure makeng of the rotor. 755 pump ,hes there totally different solutions with ceramic rotor (someone read my mind as I thought about it a year ago), where it was shown how the rotor at the start scuffed the walls with visible scratches. That if there is really something to improve. a litle leakage of fluid back due to poor leak-tightness . a ring on the rotor would seal properly this little problem and also increased pressure . I wish a larger entrance and exit ports and not to suffocate the ability of these pumps vith 10 mm outputs. At least 1/2 inch or 12.7 mm with mounted fitting It would be much better .

 

[deu]

I actually tried that, but wasn't satisfied with the grip level. The main source of vibration is to/from the case so with that accounted for there's not much left on the bracket to top junction.

If the made it so that there was holes in both the acrylic (1 mm depth or so) and through the metal brackets, they could have a rubbermembrane between that would be sturdy and firm. :/ No drift/offset over longer use of the pad and no issues with quality. It can be done! A greate deal of the noise in my custom D5, H220, H100, H80i have mostly been the vibration.

 

[Sasqui]

Awesome to see a watercooling review here on TPU. I've got a modded OEM D5... I routed the ports and added G1/4 threads. Run it on 5 always, can't hear anything more than bubbles for a few moments after turning it on.

 

[VSG]

Awesome to see a watercooling review here on TPU. I've got a modded OEM D5... I routed the ports and added G1/4 threads. Run it on 5 always, can't hear anything more than bubbles for a few moments after turning it on.

This is the second so far recently done. The first is a radiator: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HardwareLabs/Black_Ice_Nemesis_GTR_360/

 

[Brusfantomet]

Nice review, and something that interests me greatly.

i have one request, could you test the noise level from the pumps at the lowest rpm settings as well, since we are dealing with pwm controlled pumps this will be the idle noise from the pumps, and at east for me that is quite important.

 

[VSG]

Nice review, and something that interests me greatly.

i have one request, could you test the noise level from the pumps at the lowest rpm settings as well, since we are dealing with pwm controlled pumps this will be the idle noise from the pumps, and at east for me that is quite important.

I can, but without context that number will mean not much to you. I measure at a 6" distance in an anechoic chamber at 19 dBA ambient so the number will be fairly different for you in a closed case a few feet away. That said, this page should have what you are looking for: http://thermalbench.com/2015/01/05/swiftech-mcp50x-pump/4/. Note that the D5 there is a Vario with least RPM ~2x that you can get with this MCP655 PWM so the idle noise with this pump will be even lower (I would estimate 29 dBA).

 

[Brusfantomet]

i know the absolute value will have no meaning, but compared to other pumps it should give a comparison, if you do the measurements the same for all pumps.

Also, i have a MCP35X that i run at 10% pwm at idle/desktop use, seeing as i was recommended it because of its silent operation at low rpm, witch was a lie. the ting is hot and noisy, like a stock 290x

 

[Rivage]

Page 6, Value and Conclusion: Manufacturer link is not correct.

www.swiftnets.com

www.swiftech.com

 

[VSG]

Thanks for catching that. Swiftech was already in the company database here so that typo was around for a really long time. I corrected it now.

 

[terroralpha]

You don't need to shift it, you just set it once when you build the loop and forget about it. That's why PWM is just snake oil for pumps because it doesn't add any performance it just changes the noise/pitch frequency (which is something you ideally want static not dynamic).

opinions are like rear ends... every one has them.

I want dynamic. when the system isn't doing anything crazy, I don't want to hear anything. not a peep. I want the fans to shut off, which is why I have two large rads, and I want the pump to be silent. but when the system is under heavy load and I need cooling, I want everything to automatically turn on/speed up to keep temperatures low.

 

[newblar]

How does the MCP655 compare to the ek-xtop revo d5 you reviewed on your site thermal bench?

 

[Sasqui]

How does the MCP655 compare to the ek-xtop revo d5 you reviewed on your site thermal bench?

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Swiftech/MCP655/5.html

Looks like they are quite close

 

[VSG]

Thanks for the link, and as can be seen the pump is basically the same. The only difference in performance at the same pump speed is from the different pump tops.