Test processor is a P4 2.4C, tested at stock (12x200 @ 1.5V) and overclocked to 3.4Ghz (12x283 @ 1.725V) on an Epox 4PDA2+ 865PE motherboard. Temperatures were recorded using Epox's USDM diagnostic tool. Case temperature was a constant 29C. A rheobus was used to adjust the fan speed on the Zalman, the fans on the Swiftech were at their highest setting.

The MCX-478V did extremely well with the P4 2.4C at stock speeds, the results with the slowest Vantec Stealth fan were almost identical to that of the Zalman at a full 2500rpm. With the 52cfm Panaflo, the noise level of the Swiftech was a bit higher than that of the Zalman at full speed, but not something that would be really noticable in an enclosed case. With the Panaflo, the Swiftech was 2C cooler than the Zalman on its highest setting, and 3C cooler under load conditions. The performance with the Tornado is amazing, as would be expected of a 120cfm fan, but totally unnecessary for stock speeds.

When presented with a full 1Ghz overclock, the MCX-478V really came into its own. With its fan at full speed, the Zalman was extremely hot, hitting over 60C under stress. When the fan was set to minimum, 3.4Ghz was too much, causing a system crash under load conditions. The MCX-478V was able to hang on with even the Vantec Stealth, I was able to play over an hour of UT'04 without problems. I could've gone past 3.4Ghz with the Panaflo or Tornado fans, but I would be benchmarking the MCX-478V against itself, as the Zalman wasnt going to hack anymore than 3.4Ghz.

I always have very high expectations for any Swiftech product, and the MCX-478V delivered on all counts, sweeping the benchmarks across the board. Of the three fans I chose for testing, I think the 2850rpm 52cfm Panaflo delivers the most bang for its noise level. It was never far behind the Tornado, and with a fan controller, it could be slowed to the Stealth's level when quiet is needed. Of course you can pick whatever fan fits your particular system best, which is the MCX-478Vs biggest advantage over the Zalman. Thanks to its much improved mouting system and size that fits any socket 478 board, the MCX-478V is the P4 cooler to beat, and wins an Editors Choice. Very highly recommended.

Highs
- Excellent build quality
- New pin arangement really works
- Fits on all Socket 478 motherboards
- Accepts any 80 or 92mm fan
- Reasonably priced

Lows
- None that come to mind

Thank you to swiftech for the sample, and to their photographer for use of the pictures, as I was having camera difficulties at the time of this writing.