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Swiftech FBK525 Fill & Bleed Assembly and MCP600 Inline Pump

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The FBK525 Integrated Fill & Bleed Assembly arrived enveloped in simple protective bubble wrap. Included with the kit were a couple of lengths of 1/2" vinyl tubing and some of the custom tube inserts Swiftech uses with their quick connect fittings. Opening up the package, we see the same 5.25" inch tray being employed. However, the overall layout of the water path is much improved. The previous kit had several T junctions that would be in use when the kit was operational, resulting in a lower flow rate. The new design does incorporate T junctions as well, but once the system is properly bled, these junctions are not part of the filled circuit. The other feature that caught my eye was the newer valves. The new valves have a much sturdier look and feel to them, and I could already anticipate a much easier time operating them.

One way the unit immediately aids in the installation process is the fact that the new bleed kit occupies only one available 5.25" inch drive bay. Additionally, while it was almost impossible to fill and bleed the 8500 system without removing the top panel from the case in order to access the valves, the new kit was very easy to access through the front of the chassis. In part, this is due to the fact that the two connectors are on opposite sides of the bay, as opposed to being on top of each other as is the case with the MCK525 assembly. Even before installing the unit, I could already see the design and layout would make for hassle-free installation as well as some improved flow rates. The entire kit is nice and solid with zip ties holding everything in place, and four mounting holes on each bracket to allow the assembly to be secured to a 5.25" bay with 6-32 screws.

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The system uses two quick connect fittings for the inlet and outlet tubes of the fill and bleed assembly. While it is always nice to have easily removable tubing, the quick connects tend to have a love/hate relationship. During my initial experience with the 8500 kit, I had no issues installing or removing tubing from the quick connects, and was puzzled why others were expressing disconnect with the connectors. This time around, I did find that the connectors were much more stubborn to deal with, especially when attempting to remove the tubing. Attempting to push the collar in with the provided tool while simultaneously twisting and pulling on the tubing can be a bit cumbersome.

Another nice feature of the kit is that there are no T junctions in place once the unit is fully bled. Since any radical change in direction through the tubing adversely affects flow rates, T junctions and 90 degree elbows have serious detrimental affects on flow rates, and the previous fill & bleed assembly had two 90 degree bends at the outlet of the pump after the system was primed. With this system bled, the coolant takes a gradual 180 turn, with springs installed at tighter radius turns to keep the tubing from crimping, causing further crippling flow rates.

In an interesting move, Swiftech has decided to forego additional quick connect fittings for the internal tubing, and instead opted for 3/8" ID barbs. This has obviously been put in place to market the assembly as a component not specifically designed for Swifttech kits with their quick connectors and tube inserts, but for all water cooling systems. Since the flow rate through the barb would be about the same as the flow rate through the tube insert, I consider this to be a good move on Swiftech’s part. In fact, I would have preferred to have seen barbs on the external inlet and outlet valves, since they typically don’t require zip ties or other clamping mechanism to ensure they are 100% leak proof (since they are only in place as a temporary measure) and they are much easier to remove than the quick connects.

Finally, the last feature I enjoyed with this kit is that its design allows for extremely simple leak testing. In fact, the system can be leak tested without the use of any coolant. By simply closing the main valve and one of the two exterior quick connects, the entire water cooling system has only one opening to outside air. By sucking on this inlet to create a small vacuum and then closing the last of the valves, the system can be tested for leaks. In my experience, it takes a lot more for air to enter a bled system than it is for water to escape, so if the vacuum holds after a few minutes as a closed circuit (which can be tested by putting your thumb over the open end of the tubing prior to opening the valve again), then the system is safe for coolant.

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The MCP600 Inline Pump comes shipped in two formed sections of polystyrene, with some additional components taped to the exterior and contained in clear re-sealable bags. While the unit did suffer from some shipping damage in transit, it was limited to the packing material itself. Opening the packaging, the pump was further protected by a clear plastic bag. Included with the pump are a two page user guide, some 1/2" to 3/8" reduction barbs, a half a dozen zip ties, and two bolts with rubber washers and nuts.