Swiftech MC370 Socket-370 Peltier Cooler

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The second problem this installation poses is the possibility that one or more resistors would be in the way of the clamps during the installation itself. We took a look at a number of Socket-370 motherboards and, although most of them had no problems working with the installation of the MC370, the Tyan Trinity 400 produced some interesting problems that we had difficulty working around. The resistors that were placed around the clips on the CPU socket made it very difficult to safely mount the clamps without damaging the resistors. The main thing to keep in mind when installing the MC370, or any hardware peripheral for that matter, is to be patient.

Other than the encounter with the Trinity 400, we had no problems with the installation process of the MC370. While the process was quite frustrating at times, Swiftech did a superb job at producing an effective method of attaching the cooler to the CPU socket.

Battling Condensation

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Whenever you're dealing with temperatures that drop below the dew point, you have to worry about condensation. Obviously, since the MC370-0 is an air-cooling device, you don't need to worry about condensation, but the issue becomes important with the MC370-1 and especially with the 72W TEC on the MC370-2.

Swiftech recommends filling the space enclosed by the CPU socket with Silicone II compound and covering it with a neoprene foam patch that, fortunately, comes with the cooler. The Silicone II compound can be found at almost any hardware store and isn't too costly. The compound in combination with the neoprene patch does help combat condensation considerably.

Swiftech also recommends sealing the area around the CPU socket with Silicone II compound. Finally, in order to protect the motherboard itself, Swiftech recommends placing a 2.5" x 2.5" neoprene patch right behind the CPU socket on the back of the motherboard. This patch is also conveniently packaged with the cooler.

While our testing did not show any signs of condensation with either MC370 model, continued normal use of a system with the MC370 could result in the formation of some condensation and thus we strongly recommend the use of the three precautions suggested by Swiftech when using the MC370-1 or 2.