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Introduction
For those of you very familiar with CPU cooling and case modding, Scythe
is a brand name you're already aware of through its long standing respect
in the PC upgrading community. For those of you just finding out about
this company now, Scythe is a Japanese based company that makes high quality
CPU coolers, fans, and LCD products to bring life and efficiency into
your PC.
In this review we are taking a look at the Samurai CPU Cooler,
which works with both Intel and AMD (and AMD64) processors, as well as
the Kamakaze adjustable LED fan.
Specs & Info
Here's the info on the Samurai CPU Cooler ...
- Intel:
Celeron (socket 478) all speeds
Pentium 4 (socket 478) all speeds
- AMD:
Duron (socket 462) all speeds
Athlon (socket 462) all speeds
Athlon XP (socket A) all speeds
Athlon 64 (socket 754) all speeds
Athlon 64FX (socket 754) all speeds
- Fan Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 25mm
- Heatsink Dimensions: 83 x 65 x 38 mm
- Combined Dimensions: 98 x 84 x 95 mm
- Weight: 605g
- Fan Speed: 1300~3400rpm (with rheostat)
- Air Flow: 13.6CFM @ 1300rpm ~ 34CFM @ 3400rpm
- Fan Noise Level:
Min:16dBA @ 1300rpm (lowest)
Max: 37dBA @ 3400rpm (highest)
And the Specs on the Kamakaze LED fan:
- Blue Color
- 80x80x25mm Dimensions
- Speed Controller
- Min: 1300RPM @ 16 dBA
- Max: 3400 RPM @ 37 dBA
installation
Samurai CPU Cooler:
I installed the unit on my AMD64 system, which over the
course of time has gone under some alterations as it is. The Samurai CPU
cooler seems to be designed specifically for this processor, although
it does install on the regular Athlon and Intel chips. Installation is
a matter of placing the thermal paste onto the appropriate section of
the CPU cooler, mounting it in place (easy to do), and screwing in 2 big
long screws (easiest). After that you simply plug the unit into your motherboard
(recommended to monitor results) or into the PSU. There's a back end knob
already installed into the unit so you can simply mount this bracket into
the back end of your PC for easy control of the CPU fan speed (and thus
the sound as well).
Kamakaze Fan:
For those of you that have installed fans in the past, you
know that this is a very easy exercise that doesn't take up a lot of your
time. The nice thing that Scythe has done with these fans is include a
back end bracket if you wanted to mount the fan adjuster (I didn't). The
fan came with the screws (if you need them) and the fan installs as easy
as any other on the market.
Performance
After using both a standard AMD CPU cooler as well as the
Thermaltake Volcano (upcoming review), I have to say that there are distinct
advantages to using the Scythe Samurai CPU Cooler. First, the unit runs
much quieter at the same levels than all the CPU coolers I've tested on
this system, which is a huge deal since most have been ridiculously loud.
The Cooler itself, made of 100% copper, conducts the heat masterfully
and yielded temperatures at near identical levels of the competition and
much, much cooler (anywhere from 4 to 7 degrees C) than stock solutions.
The blue LED Kamakaze fan is bright, slick, and makes any
case look much more vibrant and alive. The unit isn't very loud, and with
the adjustable fan speed, it doesn't have to be going overboard in your
case with airflow or loudness.
Overall, the performance of the Samurai CPU Cooler was particularly
impressive and something that I left in my case after the review was finished
... a testament to the cooling/quietness efficiency of the unit as compared
to others I've been historically using. The Kamakaze LED fan is a vibrant
and fun addition to the case, and just one is really enough to light up
a case, with two being the optimal amount.
Overall Impressions
I've seen much more expensive CPU Cooling solutions from
many companies, and was duly impressed with the Scythe Samurai unit. This
is a beast to be sure - but one that seems to be able to handle the cooling
and the quietness to a decent ratio. Many times monstrous CPU coolers
will only be effective at certain RPM speeds which make an unpleasant
experience due to the sound ... however, this wasn't the case with the
Samurai, and I was very pleased with the performance of both the cooling
and the noise efficiency.
The blue Kamakaze LED fan was also a very nice addition
to the case as the two I installed vibrantly lit up the case and brought
a new dimension of "coolness" it lacked before.
Overall, both the Scythe Samurai CPU Cooler and Kamakaze
LED fan were fantastic additions to my top gaming rig and impressed us
with their cooling efficiency and their relatively quiet levels of operation.
Both act as a really good buy if you're looking for a good solid addition
to your PC.
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9 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
92%
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9 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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9 / 10 |
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10 / 10 |
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9.2 /
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