Swiftech MCP655 for new Loop

babelmh13

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 13, 2012
Messages
196
I want to get a Swiftech MCP655 for my new loop as they seem to be highly recommended for silent and powerful pumping.

http://www.frozencpu.com/search.html?mv_profile=keyword_search&mv_session_id=iZ27Hu44&searchspec=swiftech+mcp655&go.x=0&go.y=0

Frozen CPU has five or more on their site in the $100 range and I'm not seeing any big differences jumping out at me.. I don't need speed control or anything fancy as it's just going to be buried in my Corsair Obsidian 800d and never be touched.

I'm going with 1/2 ID 3/4 OD tubing and compression fittings in my loop (not that I think Ill need them on the pump). My loop will (for now) consist of:

1-150mm tube reservoir used as a fillport
1-EK CPU copper waterblock
2-GTX 970 EK copper warterblocks
1-240 rad
1-120 rad

Can I get a recommendation and what are the minor differences in these pumps?

Thanks
 
They're all the same motor- it's just the addons. Some put different tops on them that have G1/4 threadings or slightly different volutes to increase flow at the tradeoff of pressure building or whatever. There's some like the PMP-450S that support up to 24V and the higher flowrates and pressures that come with higher voltage. Some have Tach support. Some have speed control. For your usage any of the basic D5 pumps will work fine.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...12_ID_Native_Liquid_Cooling_Pump_PMP-450.html would be a pretty base model pump.
 
There are about 5 versions of the D5, with minor differences.

There is the D5, which runs at max speed all the time.
There is the D5 Vario, which has a dial on the back that allows manual speed adjustment. Interestingly enough this was the original version sold.
There is a D5 Tach, this just adds tach output, so you can get a reading of how fast the pump is going from software.
There is the D5 PWM, this adds PWM control. So you can hook it up to your motherboard and control the speed with software.
There is the D5S (for Strong), this is a stronger version designed to be run at 24V.


I would suggest getting a D5 PWM or D5 Vario. The sound characteristics of the pump can be vastly different at different speeds. It can also depend upon your case as well. It would be nice to have the ability to change the speed to tune it to the point where it seems most quiet. For example on my D5 I find that setting it to around 3.5-4 is the most silent setting, so that is where I leave it. Performance is still very good, and it is quieter than even the slower settings simply because the quality of the noise is different.
 
I had the MCP655 Vario before my loop popped. It was nice because I didn't know how loud it would be. I forget how loud it was but I remember not setting it at max power because of the noise.

Also remember since you are using compression fittings, you will need the G1/4 tapped models so you can screw in your fittings.

Erasmus pretty much handled the differences between each version.
 
I had the MCP655 Vario before my loop popped. It was nice because I didn't know how loud it would be. I forget how loud it was but I remember not setting it at max power because of the noise.

Also remember since you are using compression fittings, you will need the G1/4 tapped models so you can screw in your fittings.

Erasmus pretty much handled the differences between each version.
Yeah Id say my main goal is for it to be as quiet as possible and capable of pushing this much water through 3 blocks and 2 rads.

http://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-dcp-4-0-12v-dc-pump.html

This is my current pump which isnt bad and I would continue to use but have been advised that i may want to upgrade. reason being i am in the process of adding the 2 gpu blocks and 120 rad to my existing loop. my only complaint about it is that its clunky and a pain to place.

sgE7UxM.jpg


Thinking about it, maybe it would be better to not get a tapped model but instead get a barbed one and just clamp the tube to it. Then i wouldnt have the extra standoff of a fitting to deal before starting a bend in my tube..
 
There are about 5 versions of the D5, with minor differences.

There is the D5, which runs at max speed all the time.
There is the D5 Vario, which has a dial on the back that allows manual speed adjustment. Interestingly enough this was the original version sold.
There is a D5 Tach, this just adds tach output, so you can get a reading of how fast the pump is going from software.
There is the D5 PWM, this adds PWM control. So you can hook it up to your motherboard and control the speed with software.
There is the D5S (for Strong), this is a stronger version designed to be run at 24V.


I would suggest getting a D5 PWM or D5 Vario. The sound characteristics of the pump can be vastly different at different speeds. It can also depend upon your case as well. It would be nice to have the ability to change the speed to tune it to the point where it seems most quiet. For example on my D5 I find that setting it to around 3.5-4 is the most silent setting, so that is where I leave it. Performance is still very good, and it is quieter than even the slower settings simply because the quality of the noise is different.

You can run a D5 silent at any speed setting. Just decouple it from the mounting surface with bubble wrap.
 
Before you buy anything, I'd suggest you take a look at Sidewindercomputers.com

Gary has been in business a long time, he's a straight shooter and consistently has the lowest prices on most watercooling hardware.
His shipping is also the cheapest.

Sidewinder may not have the largest selection, but for the basics I always go there.

That said, I use the MCP 655 variable speed model. http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpu.html
These pumps are very reliable, push a lot of water, but are not silent.
The pump however will be generally unrecognizable with the sound of fans and what-not generally heard over the pump.

I would recommend getting the pump adapter from BitsPower that allows you to attach G1/4 compressions at the pump....it's simple to install.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bid5modtop.html
 
You can run a D5 silent at any speed setting. Just decouple it from the mounting surface with bubble wrap.

This is correct. My pumps are basically suspended in the air and they're nearly impossible to hear at full 12V speed
 
Before you buy anything, I'd suggest you take a look at Sidewindercomputers.com

Gary has been in business a long time, he's a straight shooter and consistently has the lowest prices on most watercooling hardware.
His shipping is also the cheapest.

Sidewinder may not have the largest selection, but for the basics I always go there.

That said, I use the MCP 655 variable speed model. http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmc12vdcpu.html
These pumps are very reliable, push a lot of water, but are not silent.
The pump however will be generally unrecognizable with the sound of fans and what-not generally heard over the pump.

I would recommend getting the pump adapter from BitsPower that allows you to attach G1/4 compressions at the pump....it's simple to install.
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bid5modtop.html

Damn i wish i had looked at this site before i bought some of my parts. Definitely gunna grab some stuff from here.
 
Get a vario or strong. I've been using lang pumps since the 2000. And no other mag drives matched up and I had access to some of the so called best. In 2006 I bought a strong 12/24v with tach wire for $60 from a local vendor. Same pump same place is now $100. It's not because of the reasons many think. It's because of Xylem. They bought Lang. I work with these over priced sob's. I can't even get a deal on a pump through corporate channels.

Get one now before the idiot college boys in NY / Wall Street ruin them. My last build I used a vario on a xspc res combo. The last of a good pump and a glass res. I freaking hate plastic res tubes and windows.

These pumps will last a life time if they are never ran dry. And it's always a good idea to use a small amount of glycol of some sort through them as a lubricant between the ceramic and carbon bearing surface. It does not take much in a computer cooling system. A few drops and your pump will thank you.

I know nothing about this stuff. Only 15 years with a Xylem / ITT rep. I move water, transfer heat for a living.

Get one now before Xylem puts the cheap on them and doubles the price.

Good Luck
 
You can run a D5 silent at any speed setting. Just decouple it from the mounting surface with bubble wrap.

This is correct. My pumps are basically suspended in the air and they're nearly impossible to hear at full 12V speed

Damn I must be doing something wrong then. My pump is bolted to the back of my case, so also suspended in mid-air, and I've already decoupled the pump with foam+egg carton. But holy jesus is the pump still the loudest thing in my entire rig. I have to basically turn up every one of the 13 fans in my case to above 65% to drown out the noise.

It's this low droning hum which makes it particularly hard to tune out. And yeah I've noticed the pump acoustics vary a lot with each setting, and I had to do some "acoustic tuning" to find a sound signature that didn't drive me bonkers. Currently at 4.5 but I swear just when I think I've found the acoustic sweet spot the pump starts mocking me again. Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 also seems to be ok, but again that drone, UGH.
 
Damn I must be doing something wrong then. My pump is bolted to the back of my case, so also suspended in mid-air, and I've already decoupled the pump with foam+egg carton. But holy jesus is the pump still the loudest thing in my entire rig. I have to basically turn up every one of the 13 fans in my case to above 65% to drown out the noise.

It's this low droning hum which makes it particularly hard to tune out. And yeah I've noticed the pump acoustics vary a lot with each setting, and I had to do some "acoustic tuning" to find a sound signature that didn't drive me bonkers. Currently at 4.5 but I swear just when I think I've found the acoustic sweet spot the pump starts mocking me again. Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 also seems to be ok, but again that drone, UGH.

You and me both. I have two of them in a bay res. Anything over 3200 RPM and they drive me nuts. But I am only running my fans at 750 RPM for anything but gaming to cover it up.
 
People who say they are "silent" either have tinnitus or don't really understand silence very well. Sure they are quiet, more so at some speed settings than others, but they are not silent. I have done every sort of decoupling from rubber band suspension, to fancy gel pads, to mounting with rubber grommets to the side of the case. It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference. There is still a noticeable difference in the sound quality at the different speed settings on the D5. Notice I am not saying that 3 is quieter than 5, I am saying the sound quality. The pitch/quality/substance of the noise changes. Depending upon your case construction different speeds may be less noticeable than others. Play around with it and find the setting that gives you acceptable performance at the lowest noticeable noise.
 
You and me both. I have two of them in a bay res. Anything over 3200 RPM and they drive me nuts. But I am only running my fans at 750 RPM for anything but gaming to cover it up.

4700RPM on the D5 and 8x AP-15s undervolted to 5V unless there's a workload on it...loudest thing in my rig is the PSU fan, followed by the spinner drives.

Alphacool pump top.
 
Damn I must be doing something wrong then. My pump is bolted to the back of my case, so also suspended in mid-air, and I've already decoupled the pump with foam+egg carton. But holy jesus is the pump still the loudest thing in my entire rig. I have to basically turn up every one of the 13 fans in my case to above 65% to drown out the noise.

It's this low droning hum which makes it particularly hard to tune out. And yeah I've noticed the pump acoustics vary a lot with each setting, and I had to do some "acoustic tuning" to find a sound signature that didn't drive me bonkers. Currently at 4.5 but I swear just when I think I've found the acoustic sweet spot the pump starts mocking me again. Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 also seems to be ok, but again that drone, UGH.

When you say "bolted" that implies that it's not suspended. My pumps are just resting on 2 layers of foam. .5" open cell and .5" closed cell. There's no rubber bands or screws or tape or anything. Just the memory from the tubing is holding it in place.

My whole desktop has no fans except in the power supply, which is usually at 0 rpm. Sometimes the loudest thing I can hear is cars that are a mile away.
 
4700RPM on the D5 and 8x AP-15s undervolted to 5V unless there's a workload on it...loudest thing in my rig is the PSU fan, followed by the spinner drives.

Alphacool pump top.

It might be getting more feedback because I am running two pumps. I never paid attention to my PSU fan. I can definitely hear my platter drives when they spin up.

Also, placement might have something to do with it. My case is on a stand that puts the pump ear level at about two feet away.
 
When you say "bolted" that implies that it's not suspended. My pumps are just resting on 2 layers of foam. .5" open cell and .5" closed cell. There's no rubber bands or screws or tape or anything. Just the memory from the tubing is holding it in place.

My whole desktop has no fans except in the power supply, which is usually at 0 rpm. Sometimes the loudest thing I can hear is cars that are a mile away.

I see.

And you have no fans in your desktop? :eek: How does that work? External rads I presume?

It might be getting more feedback because I am running two pumps. I never paid attention to my PSU fan. I can definitely hear my platter drives when they spin up.

Also, placement might have something to do with it. My case is on a stand that puts the pump ear level at about two feet away.

Probably placement. My Enthoo Primo is also an extremely open case so naturally does worse at noise blocking.

The funniest thing for me is that I found there's this "dead spot" where the pump noise almost entirely vanishes probably due to some magical wave harmonics or other nonsense. Unfortunately that "dead spot" is barely larger than my head, so if I tilt or lean back just literally a few inches, the pump's drone comes back full blast. It's maddening.
 
I see.
The funniest thing for me is that I found there's this "dead spot" where the pump noise almost entirely vanishes probably due to some magical wave harmonics or other nonsense. Unfortunately that "dead spot" is barely larger than my head, so if I tilt or lean back just literally a few inches, the pump's drone comes back full blast. It's maddening.

LAWL what?

my pump is very quite but when the cover is on my case, it sits about 1/32 of an inch from plexi on some foam and will sometimes make contact and ill have to readjust it
 
OP. FrozenCPU is out of business and has fired all it'd employees... Might want to buy from someone else.
 
I see.

And you have no fans in your desktop? :eek: How does that work? External rads I presume?

BAM. External watercooling with heat exchangers:



I recently recabled my whole home office to neaten it up (if that's even a word, which it probably isn't). I need to take a pic of it because the whole scene with the watercooling hoses and giant trunk of cables plugging into the back of my desktop is just teh sexiness.
 
OP. FrozenCPU is out of business and has fired all it'd employees... Might want to buy from someone else.

Wow, is there a source for this? Nothing but great experiences with them in the past.
 
LAWL what?

my pump is very quite but when the cover is on my case, it sits about 1/32 of an inch from plexi on some foam and will sometimes make contact and ill have to readjust it

How do I explain this... Well let's just say if I walk a circle around my rig, there are several points along said circle where I hear almost no sound. As well, there's a distinct change in the tonal quality (lmao) depending on where I'm facing the pump.

And finally from where I sit, sometimes turning my head one way or the other changes how the pump sounds. No I'm not high.

Wow, is there a source for this? Nothing but great experiences with them in the past.

It's in the Watercooling section on OCN
 
Is that gunk all in your res? Also, holy crap dr/owned.. You win the ghetto cooling award.
 
Front Page News on H

Apparently they aren't closing according to the owner but running a "skeleton crew".

I think it sounds pretty iffy right now and I would wait it out a few months before ordering anything from them. It's too bad because I have had nothing but solid experiences from them.
 
Apparently they aren't closing according to the owner but running a "skeleton crew".

I think it sounds pretty iffy right now and I would wait it out a few months before ordering anything from them. It's too bad because I have had nothing but solid experiences from them.

yea theyre def not going out of business. but i do think ill finish purchasing loop parts elsewhere as it sounds pretty shaky over there. someone should sticky that to the main page
 
How do I explain this... Well let's just say if I walk a circle around my rig, there are several points along said circle where I hear almost no sound. As well, there's a distinct change in the tonal quality (lmao) depending on where I'm facing the pump.

And finally from where I sit, sometimes turning my head one way or the other changes how the pump sounds. No I'm not high.



It's in the Watercooling section on OCN

This entertained me thoroughly. I guess your natural head position being in that bubble is a double edged sword haha
 
Can anyone post a pic of their pump connected to their tubing who doesnt use the tapped version for fittings but just zip ties the tube around the barb that is on it? Id like to avoid spending money on a tapped version and another two fittings
 
Can anyone post a pic of their pump connected to their tubing who doesnt use the tapped version for fittings but just zip ties the tube around the barb that is on it? Id like to avoid spending money on a tapped version and another two fittings

It is pretty straight forward. Just stretch the tubing over the barbs on the pump, then put on your hose clamp or zip ties and you are good to go. Note, the barbs on the pump can be difficult to get the tubing over. The lip makes it significantly wider. 1/2" ID tubing is recommended, you can make 7/16" work if you heat the tubing up by dipping it in hot / nearly boiling water to loosen it up. I would not recommend trying to fit 3/8" ID tubing over the barbs on the pump.

Also I would not recommend using zip ties, they tend to bite into the tubing a bit too much for my liking. Worm gear hose clamps are pretty cheap and work really well.
 
Can anyone post a pic of their pump connected to their tubing who doesnt use the tapped version for fittings but just zip ties the tube around the barb that is on it? Id like to avoid spending money on a tapped version and another two fittings

You can buy various modifications from Sidewinder.
Honestly, I would spend the extra money and buy the Bitspower pump fitting that's tapped for G 1/4 fittings.
In the long run it will make your life much easier, and you simply screw it on. That way you can use any fittings you'd like, barbs or compressions.

Also, I'd strongly recommend using a clamp of some type rather than trust zip-ties. Some guys do just heat their tubing and slide it over the barb and zip tie it, but that method is very prone to leaking.
 
i have 1/2-3/4 tubing and 1/2-3/4 bitspower compression fittings. I just want to see aesthetically what peoples alternatives to fittings are so i can decide.
 
i have 1/2-3/4 tubing and 1/2-3/4 bitspower compression fittings. I just want to see aesthetically what peoples alternatives to fittings are so i can decide.

Plenty of stuff to look at in the Watercooling Sticky Thread


That is I believe a D4 (precursor to D5, identical body though) with 1/2" tubing and worm drive hose clamps. There are more examples in that thread, just start at the beginning and work your way through ;)
 
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