Swiftech went back to the drawing board after the Apogee GTX,and it seems that time away was well spent. They have returned with the Apogee GTZ, a CPU water block that boasts impressive performance numbers. After seeing firsthand what the GTZ could accomplish, Swiftech is back with a vengeance and the the GTZ has retaken the crown of the "King" of CPU water block. Swiftech has outdone themselves this time around; the quality and performance is outstanding. Sporting a revamped pin matrix, the temperature improvements over the previous GTX are nothing short of outstanding; producing a 5°C improvement at idle and a 3°C drop at load, not to mention a 6°C drop in the Northbridge on the integrated block on the ASUS motherboard. The only blemish on an otherwise exceptional product is the discoloration on the pin matrix and surrounding surface, which leaves us wondering if there are quality control issues here that may need addressing?

The bottom line here is that Swiftech has produced an absolute gem of a CPU water block, and one that should last you well into your next system, seeing as it's also compatible with Intel's upcoming 1366 socket if you have any plans to upgrade. We came away very impressed with this product, and we have no hesitation in recommending that the Swiftech Apogee GTZ water block should be at the very top of your purchase shortlist.

Swiftech Apogee GTZ CPU Water Block Features & Design: A unique design, all the necessary accessories included 10 Ease of Use: Easy to install; tool-less and effective retention mechanisms that are quick and simple to install in any system 10 Quality: Copper base has a mirror-finished and the retention mechanisms are superb.  A brownie point was lost here for the Swiftech logo; it’s easy to peel off due to low strength adhesive. 9 Performance: Excellent performance, the direct impingement helps cool down the CPU quickly. 10 Value: With a price tag of $70 USD, this is a reasonable cost for a high-end block. 8

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Think the Swiftech GTZ is the new King of the Hill, or is there another CPU water block you prefer? Let us know in the forums.