Swiftech Komodo 5870 GPU Water Block

[Skyguy]

Swiftech is a very well known water cooling company that understands the demands and the needs from the water cooling enthusiast. They’ve launched the Komodo HD5800 full cover water block series; it’s a cooling solution for high-end graphics cards, and is designed to have superior thermal performance for the top dog Radeons HD5870 and HD5850. Let's find out how it performs on a 5870.



Click HERE for the full review.

[smduff]

Great Review Deton, I like the look of this block as well.

[Doctor_Death]

Good review Deton, not the best looking block but it get's the job done. I would still have to go with the Danger Den Summit

[bullydog]

Another great water cooling review from deton, i like how you did the komodo review along with the MCW-60 and did a head to head comparison.

Well done Deton

[Skyguy]

NOTE: Review has been updated to include a note about a possible user mod to improve VRM temps. We'll look into this a bit further and update the review as necessary.

[Deton]

Indeed, Swiftech does provide a little mod instruction guide in their installation sheet now.
The mod wasn't availabe at the time I did the testing and I also just want to test the block straight out of the box, no modding involve.

If you want better VRM temps, Swiftech suggested to use Ceramique grease at VRM & I/O areas instead of stock thermal pads. According to Swiftech claims, you will gain at least 20C back from using thermal grease.

After serval GPU blocks testing and observation, I discovered there are nothing wrong with the Komodo design but just poor quality & too thick thermal pad was used. Instead of using thermal grease, I used thinner gel pads and VRM/Mem temps drop significantly. The mod-temp results will be included in the up coming fullcover GPU blocks roundup review.

[kondor999]

I've had experience with only one Swiftech product (a CPU waterblock) that leaked due to a stripped screw and killed my new mobo. After seeing more QA issues in the review, I'm forced to conclude that, while this co. has great R&D, they don't know how to actually make their products reliably.

I'm reminded of a Jaguar I once owned...

[Deton]

I've had experience with only one Swiftech product (a CPU waterblock) that leaked due to a stripped screw and killed my new mobo. After seeing more QA issues in the review, I'm forced to conclude that, while this co. has great R&D, they don't know how to actually make their products reliably.

I'm reminded of a Jaguar I once owned...

which block did you have?

And was it brand new or happened after you dissembled it.

Most today's water blocks manufature in China or Korean or another country with cheaper labour. The companies have to do this to stay survise the competition, this is often to get inconsitence QC unless the company have strong management team, tighten down the grip on quality inspection.

Swiftech has great products but unfortunately the sample we received have chipped chrome plating.

[kondor999]

It was part of their H20-220 self-contained kit. The waterblock and pump are screwed together, and whomever did the assembly overtightened one of the screws, stripping it. The result was insufficient pressure over that area and the coolant managed to leak out slowly. I had tested the block for 24h, but I believe the leak was exacerbated by heat and so didn't become apparent until the unit was actually installed and running. I was extremely fortunate only to lose the mobo. I had a brand new e8500 and 3 GTX280s in Tri SLI at the time (This was Nov. 2008). Suffice to say, I never bothered with their products again, and this attitude has been subsequently validated by various reviews over the ensuing years which often mentioned, as did yours, questionable QA from Swiftech.

I now use Danger Den exclusively and both the quality and performance is unmatched. I just finished creating a twin GTX480 water loop and have nothing but praise for DDs equipment.

which block did you have?

And was it brand new or happened after you dissembled it.

Most today's water blocks manufature in China or Korean or another country with cheaper labour. The companies have to do this to stay survise the competition, this is often to get inconsitence QC unless the company have strong management team, tighten down the grip on quality inspection.

Swiftech has great products but unfortunately the sample we received have chipped chrome plating.