Review: Swiftech MCX4000

Firstly, I didn't have an Alpha 8942, the natural rival to the MCX4000 other than the MCX478, to hand unfortunately. I estimate performance to be +-2c of the results you see here using a Alpha 8942 using the same fans, dispute that if you will.

So what are the benefits of buying a large copper based cooler for use with the Pentium 4? If you aren't going to overclock then the benefits of a £40+ cooler for your processor are slim to none. I can think of aesthics as the only reason to swap out your cooler if you aren't overclocking. The MCX4000 equipped with it's YS-Tech TMD fan is certainly impressive to look at.

It's when you get overclocking and give the Intel stock heatsink some work to do that a better cooler becomes necessary. Does it become necessary to purchase one of the big 3 copper coolers however? I don't think so unless overclocking to around 2.7GHz+ is what you are aiming for. The stock cooler or a cheaper replacement cooler like a TT Volcano would be easier on the pocket than one of the 'Big 3'.

However if high speed overclocking is your thing, the bigger coolers are definitely recommended. A friend runs a 2.8GHz P4 at 3.3GHz with an Alpha 8942, Panaflo H1A, CPU @ 1.6V with ~60c load temperatures and a well fitted Swiftech and the same fan would get you similar temperatures within a couple of degrees.

At the high end, the Swiftech MCX4000 should pull away from the MCX478 by design (bigger, more surface area) but you'd need to be shifting a lot of heat to see it with your P4 at high high speeds.

Is it better than the MCX478? If you are only cooling a P4 then yes, it will eventually get better than the MCX478 at the very top end. But if you change systems, remember the MCX478 morphs into the MCX462 with no effort and will cool Socket A systems too.

If you are looking for the very best P4 cooler money can buy, the MCX4000 should be on your list. It looks nice (although that's just my taste) and it cools very well. It's either this or the Alpha 8942, you pays your money, you takes your choice.

Cost wise, the lovely lovely suppliers of this sample, Chillblast are carrying it in stock now for £58. It's a lot of money for a cooler but you get good value for your money and Chillblast are a nice company. Remember that your £58 gets you the sink, all the fittings plus the rather sexy YS-Tech TMD fan, a marvel in its own right with it's Tip Magnetic Drive action.