Introduction
Welcome to my Swiftech MCP35X2 review, possibly the ultimate in “Smart PWM Monster Pumping Performance”. After reviewing the Swiftech 35X single pump, I found myself making room for the powerful smart pump as part of my daily use and CPU block testing rig. While manual speed control pumps move water fine, they can not be controlled automatically without more advanced (and expensive) controllers. PWM controlled pumps offer a larger operating range and can be controlled with nothing more than a motherboard CPU header. Just before CES 2012, Swiftech announced an arsenal of exciting new and innovative products, one of which was taking the previous flagship 35X success and marrying it together in a package of two (The MCP35X2). Two pumps in series provides nearly double the head pressure and also adds the pump redundancy safety benefit if one pump stops working. When Swiftech asked if I’d be interested in reviewing, I was happy to accept as I thought it would also make the perfect test pump for my new radiator test bench having all that range, power, and precision(easily repeatable) PWM control.
I would like to give special thanks to Gabe from Swiftech for providing this product review sample:
That’s a lot of smart PWM pumping power in the palm of your hand.
Before digging into the review, let’s first have a look at the product specifications and notes from Swiftech’s site:
Specifications
- Ready for upcoming 5 1/4″ bay reservoir solutions by Swiftech.
- 2 year warranty
Product Description
The MCP35X2 is the dual motor version of Swiftech’s flagship MCP35X pump. The product is designed to provide extreme flow rates in loops that include multiple devices, for example multiple radiators and triple or quad SLI/Crossfire liquid cooled graphics cards; pump redundancy also provides maximum safety in mission critical systems: if one pump fails, flow will continue to circulate thru the system thanks to the second pump. The unit features:
- 12VDC and PWM controlled, allowing variable speed control thru the motherboard from 1300 to 4500 rpm, and linked with Swiftech’s PWM splitter cable for simultaneous pump speed adjustments using only one PWM motherboard header.
Technical Specifications
Motor type 2x Electronically commutated, brushless DC, spherical motors Nominal voltage 12 V DC Operating voltage range 9 to 13.4 VDC Max. nominal power (@12 V) 18 W x 2 Max. nominal current (@12 V) 1.5 A x 2 Max. nominal head (@12 V) 27.9 ft (8.5m) Max nominal discharge (@12 V) ~ 4.17 GPM (15.8 LPM) Maximum pressure 22 PSI (1.5 BAR) Temperature range Up to 140 °F (60 °C) Electrical power connector 2x Molex 4 pin PWM + RPM Signals 2x 4-pin connector RoHS Compliant Port thread standard G1/4 MTBF 50,000 Hours Weight 15 oz Dimensions (not including fittings) L4.9″ x W2.8″ x H1.6″ (L126 x W72 x H41mm)
This is a very complete and thorough review, thanks. I love reading your reviews, even though in this case the dual pump system is beyond my budget.
Question for you Martin: Do the two pumps spin in opposite directions? Unless I’m missing something, the machining of the top part for the side with the inlets looks like it is designed for an impeller spinning in the reverse of the normal direction.
Thanks!
No, Looking down on the pumps (Impeller at top) both impellers spin in the counterclockwise direction. It is a bit confusing though with how the flow of the second pump inlet climbs up and over the outlet sort of weaving the various paths. All DDC pumps operate counterclockwise from what I understand.
Definitely a complex design trying to fit all that in there with optimization. They even managed to get the outlet port in plane with the impeller.
Sounds very impressive, but definitely something you’d need to spend some time with to get optimal performance out of the pump. I’d like to see some correlation with radiator fans on a different PWM header and where you get the most benefit before diminishing returns takes over.
Wow, can this be added to the H20-220 Edge kit?
I own that but would like to remove existing pump, & put this there.
No, but you could buy a single 35X pump/top and add it somewhere in the loop in series which would give you roughly the same thing. They are all the same motors I believe, this is just packaging two of them in a dual motor top.
This is a test.
What is better? This kit or two 35X pump with Koolance RP-401X2 Reservoir?
While I haven’t tested the 401×2 with 35X motors, I think the 35X2 pump volute is more refined with a full spiral shape, radius, and tanget/clean exit port. So performance wise the 35X2 would be my guess, but the 401X2 does have that “Front Case Focal Point” benefit which is a nice visual the 35X2 doesn’t provide “yet”. I have heard they are working on a bay reservoir which is supposed to accept the 35×2 though, so I think in time you will have the ability to add this to a bay reservoir etc.
Could you post a picture of the mcp35x2 with the RES top. Im a bit curious how it all goes together.
Sorry, my reservoir is in my main CPU block system and preoccupied at the moment, so no pictures on the 35X2. You can get some idea by looking at the users manual though here:
http://www.swiftech.org/Installation_guides/mcp35x2-reservoir-installationguide.pdf
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I have a question and would love your answer to this. MCP35x Swiftech block vs. EK 5.25″ Mountable DDC Dual Top V2? If you could do some testing on those tops that would be great and the benefits from each one. Let me know if you. Thanks.
No experience with the EK top, but I may do some more pump testing after getting my radiators round done.
Hi Martin, I love your reviews and really appreciate what you do for us. Keep it up!
I have a very noobish question for you, I was wondering if we can use the alternate inlet as a drain port using a “Bitspower G1/4″ Mini Valve” at the end of a tube ?
Thank you for your time.
Q99
Hi Martin, I was wondering if the pwm is managed by the MB during the system booting pumps go at 100%?