X-bit labs

Entry Level Liquid-Cooling System vs. Hi-End Air Cooler: Swiftech H2O-220 Compact Review

Category: Coolers

by Sergey Lepilov

[ 03/24/2008 | 01:15 PM ]

Today we are going to test a new liquid-cooling solution from Swiftech and compare its performance against a powerful air cooler from Thermalright: SI-128. Let’s find out who the winner is from our detailed review!

Table of contents:

• Package and Accessories
  
• Components Design and Functionality
  
• Radiator
  
• Water Block
  
• Other Components
  
• Assembly and Installation Tips
  
• Technical Specifications
  
• Testbed and Methods
  
• Cooling Efficiency and Acoustic Performance
  
• Conclusion
  

We are frequently criticized for testing mass production liquid-cooling systems that prove less efficient and even more expensive than air coolers. And one of the arguments in this pretty fair criticism is the fact that there are quite a few ready kits in the market these days that allow putting together a liquid-cooling system for your computer case components on your own. So far we didn’t have a chance to check out any of those “do-it-yourself” kits for computer enthusiasts that is why we put in a few requests for kits like that and today we are proud to offer you the first review.

Swiftech Company founded in the far away 1994 is one of the trend setters in the liquid-cooling systems market. Starting from 1999, they have been releasing solutions for gamers and hardware enthusiasts. It was the time when they first introduced Peltier modules, combo cooling systems and a little later – first liquid-cooling solutions. Today Swiftech’s product range is truly huge. Besides ready kits for overclockers, they offer an extensive lineup of components for do-it-yourself liquid-cooling systems for practically any components inside your computer case. Moreover, there are multiple modifications available in different price ranges. To cut the long story short, it is a real paradise for a liquid-cooling fan.

The first system we got our hands on was Swiftech H₂O-220 Compact. So today we are very excited to tell you about it in all the detail.

Package and Accessories

H₂O-220 Compact system from Swiftech comes in a relatively small cardboard box with primarily black color design:

The front and the back of the box contain extensive info on the solution inside including the photographs of its major components:

It also mentions that the liquid-cooling system was designed in the USA but manufactured in China.