Well, I went with Apogee + MCW60 (already got 'em, I'm looking at them). I had read the reviews and the chatter over at XS, the posts re: the problems and statements from Gabe, and I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. It looks like a block that suits my (non-extreme) needs, and it certainly suited my budget.
Re: the shavings issue - Again, I've read through the threads at XS, and then some - Gabe (owner of Swiftech) stated that blocks are undergoing QC inspection to find/remove shavings and pin remnants. Product info now states that the blocks are being bead blasted to eliminate that specific problem. I opened up both my blocks to have a look - the Apogee block is from before the bead blasting was being done, but it appeared that the block had been cleaned up. Partial pins around the outside of the array that may have had the potential of working loose had been removed, the grooves in between the pins were quite clean. It looked pretty safe to me. The MCW60 (which is the same as the Apogee inside) had definitely been blasted. The pin array had a satiny luster to it as evidence, and it was 100% clean of any debris. So I think it's safe to say that Swiftech is doing what needs to be done here.
I'll report once I have the WC setup installed and running, and give comparisons vs. XP-120 on CPU and stock cooler on X1900XT. Unfortunately, I got an earlier revision backplate shipped with my MCW60 that isn't compatible with the rest of the current mounting hardware set, so I'm waiting for Swiftech to send me the right one. I called them earlier today (well, yesterday now) to report the problem. They owned up to the mistake and offered remedy w/o any hassle.
Interestingly enough, it was Gabe himself who handled my call. I got the issue addressed, and also spoke with him for 10-15 minutes re: all these other issues that are swirling around. They are all things that are up to Swiftech, in the end, to address, explain and resolve, but having myself worked for a manufacturing co. very similar to Swiftech insofar as being small, and very dependent on outside capacity to bring products to market in decent quantity, I have to confess a measure of empathy re: the recent rollouts and the problems they have had with them. They're learning, they seem to understand that they own any problems that come up, even when they're not under direct control, and I think they're taking the right steps to rectify problems.
Another thing I picked up from this converation is that Gabe doesn't seem to be very concerned that the Xtreme community doesn't like his new blocks. Most of the guys over there tear the IHS off of their chips to put them on water, and that's where impingement blocks, which the Storm is (and the Apogee isn't) tend to shine. He told me quite unambiguously that the Apogee isn't designed, tested and rated for such conditions, and it won't be, since he believes that the majority of WC users aren't running that way. So what I see is that this product lineup constitutes a movement away from the Xtreme type crowd, and there's maybe where a lot of the ire is coming from. If that is so, I can understand, though my sympathy meter is also pegged at zero. Businesses that don't try to grow, often shrivel up and die. You can call it selling out, or you can call it progress. Your choice.
So whether the block is great or a POS, that depends on your perspective I guess. Gabe is behind it 100% as a great performer and a great value for whom he considers most people currently in, or looking to become, part of the WC community. There was no mistaking that much. There are reviews out there to back up whichever position you want to back up, since they're all written from one or the other perspective.
As for me, again, I'll let you know how it compares to my air setup, for whatever it's worth. I won't deny that I'm leaning towards Swiftech's corner ATM, and I've given my reasons, but I'll let my results speak for themselves.
.
Facebook
Twitter