Swiftech Apogee GT CPU Water-Block Review

Final Thoughts & Conclusions

Well Swiftech has done what many didn’t think was possible by releasing a block that out performs their Storm block at a much lower price point. By increasing real-estate of the pin matrix they’ve optimized the block especially for the Intel Quad Core processors and it’s easy to see in our test numbers that the block doesn’t disappoint. Since the processor is actually 2 Dual core CPU’s on the same package they are spread apart on that package instead of smack dead center. What happens with a block like the Storm and blocks like it is that the area that is designed to remove heat is in the center of the block and not nearly as large. So when you have two CPU dice on the same package they are on the sides and that cooling patch doesn’t directly cool all 4 CPU’s.

Regardless of how important 3-4c is to you, the price difference is hard to ignore for anyone considering water cooling their Quad core CPU. The Apogee GT comes in at $50 while the Storm is around $75 so you can see just how much of a bargain the Apogee GT is. How rare is it in our industry that spending less will actually get you better performance?!

When you consider that the total cost of our water cooling loop is roughly $200 before the CPU block, water cooling isn’t exactly a cheap and easy alternative to air cooling, but the cooling power it provides can’t be matched for the price. Taking an extra $25 off the already stellar performing Storm is music to the ears of water cooling overclockers everywhere.

Legit Bottom Line: When it comes to water cooling your Intel Kentsfield processor the Swiftech Apogee GT shows us that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get the best performance.