MCX-VPro

Introduction

The MCX-VPro heatsink is a high performance-low noise thermal solution for Intel® Xeon processors. It replaces the MCX603-V and MCX604-V heatsinks, and includes retentions mechanisms for all know Xeon compatible motherboards.

Features highlights

 

•   The MCX-VPro is designed to work with 80mm fans only. In effect, there is not enough space between processors in most dual Xeon motherboards to accomodate two 92mm fans side by side.

• Quick and easy fan installation: the fan installs "in a snap" with convenient snap-in rivets.

• Exceptional quality and attention to details: the heatsink base is lapped to 0.0003" (3/10 of 1/1000"), and polished to near-mirror finish to promote optimum thermal conductivity. Users are advised that while flatness is strictly respected for providing the most significant benefit to thermal interface, surface polish is a cosmetic component and may vary slightly from one heatsink to another. Re-lapping or polishing the heatsink base is never recommended.

• Asymetric pin design to allow multiprocessor installations

Motherboard and CPU Compatibility

• Processor Compatibility: All Intel® Xeon processors
• Motherboard compatibility: There are basically two motherboard form factors for Xeon processors at the time of publication. The hole spacing on the motherboard is the same for both, but the retention mechanism is significantly different. Motherboards running at 400 and 533Mhz FSB are the original mounting style, and motherboards running at 800 Mhz FSB use the new mounting style. The MCX-VPro includes mounting hardware for both styles.
• The product is also specially designed to allow installation with motherbards were CPU are located side-by-side, as shown below. Note that in such cases, 92mm fans cannot be used.
  

This picture shows 2 MCX-VPro heatsinks installed side by side, and illustrates the two different mounting mechanisms described in the following chapter.

Retention Mechanisms

• The MCX-VPro ships with two brackets designed to allow plug-and-play installation with OEM version Xeon processors. Intel® 's validated solution for OEM processors sold without a heatsink consists in two plastic retention frames and spring clips (shown in the example below), which the motherboard manufacturers normally provide. Installation of the MCX-VPro with this setup does not require removal of the motherboard.

• Following their preference, users can utilize Swiftech's screw-spring retention systen, which allows installation of the MCX-VPro with all 400 and 533Mhz FSB Xeon compliant motherboards, without any known exceptions . Such installation requires removal of the motherboard . An example is provided below:

• Installation with "Nocona" class Xeon processors using 800Mhz FSB Motherboards

The kit includes the hardware necessary to install the heatsink on the latest 800Mhz FSB motherboards (Xeon code name "Nocona") .

Performance data

Suggested fans.

Because this product is intended to cover the widest possible variety of uses, from virtually silent operations all the way to extreme overclocking, it is sold without fan.

For user convenience, we separate all our bench tests into 3 distinct categories characterized by the fan's audible noise level:

Silent to low noise operations 22 to 28 dbA: For non-overclocked processors. The MCX-VPro surpasses all known temperature specifications published by Intel® to this date.

Medium noise operations 29 dbA to 40 dbA: From mild to serious overclocking levels depending on the fan selected, or high temperature environments. Up to 100 Watts processor load.

High noise operations 40 dbA and up: From serious to extreme overclocking depending on the fan selected, up to 130 Watts processor load.

Silent to low noise category - Lower C/W is better
Brand		Part #	CFM	dbA	Heatsink-fan °C/Watts ratio (*)
Vantec	92x25	SF9225L	28	20	0.333
Mechatronics	92x25	E9225S12B	29	24	0.307
Sunon	80x25	KD1208PTB4	25	23.4	0.307
NMB	80x25	3110NL-04W-B20	26.5	22.5	.291
Delta	80x25	AFB0812M	31.4	28	.250
Medium noise category - Lower C/W is better
Brand	Size (mm)	Part #	CFM	dbA	Heatsink-fan °C/Watts ratio (*)
Sanyo Denki	92x32	109P0912H201	55.1	36	0.220
Delta	80x25	AFB0812HH	37.4	34	0.226
High noise category - Lower C/W is better
Brand	Size (mm)	Part #	CFM	dbA	Heatsink-fan °C/Watts ratio (*)
Vantec	92x38	TD9238A	119	56.4	0.149
Vantec	80x38	TD8038H	84.1	55.2	0.145

* C/Ws shown are the heat sink to air values, excluding thermal resistance of the TIM joint, which will vary depending on the thermal interface used and bench test conditions. For reference, Swiftech's TIM joint bench test value is 0.09 °C/W. All tests are performed in an environmental chamber using Industry standard procedures, and calibrated equipment.

Specifications

  Heatsink

• CNC machined, C110 copper base, 3"W x 3.3"L x .500"H, flatness better than 0.0003", micro surface finish 8 or better.
• 374 Helicoid Pins made of High Thermal Conductivity Aluminum Alloy, press fitted in the base.
• Heatsink base dimensions 3"x3.3"x1.66"
• Heatsink top dimension 3 3/4" x 3 1/2"
• Weight: 22 oz (620g)