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HEATSINK COMPARISON TABLES
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°C Rise Comparison: CPU Coolers with Single Stock Fan (Any Size)
|
|
SPL (dBA@1m)
|
20
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
|
Scythe Kotetsu
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
41
|
|
42
|
|
|
Thermalright Archon SB-E
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
43
|
|
Thermalright HR-02 Macho
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
40
|
41
|
|
43
|
|
|
Scythe Mugen 4
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
42
|
|
45
|
|
Noctua NH-U14S
|
|
38
|
|
40
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
be quiet! Shadow Rock Slim
|
|
40
|
|
|
41
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
Scythe Yasya
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
43
|
|
46
|
|
|
Zalman CNPS10X Quiet
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
47
|
|
|
Scythe Ashura
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
54
|
|
|
Silverstone Argon AR03
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
Scythe Ninja 3
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
SilverStone Argon AR01
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
Despite it's modest size, the Kotetsu's performance was top-notch out-of-the-box even against the much larger Thermalright Archon and HR-02 Macho. Compared to other coolers that ship with a single stock fan, the Kotetsu bested them all, though the margin of victory was quite slim.
|
°C Rise Comparison: CPU Coolers with Single 120 mm Reference Fan
|
|
Heatsink
|
Fan voltage / SPL @1m*
|
|
12V
(~17 dBA)
|
9V
(~14 dBA)
|
7V
(~12 dBA)
|
|
Scythe Kotetsu
|
37
|
38
|
41
|
|
Scythe Mugen 4
|
37
|
39
|
41
|
|
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme Rev.C
|
38
|
40
|
43
|
|
Thermalright Venomous X
|
38
|
41
|
43
|
|
Prolimatech Megahalems
|
38
|
41
|
44
|
|
SilverStone Argon AR03
|
38
|
41
|
45
|
|
Noctua NH-U12P
|
39
|
42
|
44
|
|
Scythe Mugen-2
|
39
|
42
|
45
|
|
Phanteks PH-TC12DX
|
40
|
42
|
45
|
|
Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366
|
40
|
42
|
45
|
|
Zalman CNPS10X Quiet
|
40
|
43
|
46
|
|
SilverStone Argon AR01
|
41
|
43
|
46
|
|
Scythe Yasya
|
41
|
43
|
47
|
|
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
|
40
|
43
|
48
|
|
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
|
41
|
44
|
48
|
|
*Note: there are minor differences in measured SPL due to the variety of fan orientations and mounting methods offered by the compared coolers.
|
When we equal things out by using our reference Nexus 120 mm fan, the Kotetsu retains its lead, essentially on par with the Mugen 4, and a step ahead of the Thermalright U120E and Venomous X.
MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR's
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We've listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.
These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds
in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!
The recording starts with 5 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume
setting again.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Scythe Kotetsu is an amazing heatsink, delivering elite level cooling despite its relatively modest size and lightweight construction. It seems to have managed this by improving on the base design of the Ashura while retaining its superb mounting system. The Ashura's base appears almost perfectly conical with its apex refracting light like a prism. The surface of the Kotetsu's base isn't as severely shaped, with the area around the center forming a sort of plateau indicated by the surrounding discoloration. So while the two coolers have similar compositions, the larger Ashura doesn't make as much contact with the CPU heatspreader, and ends up losing out to its smaller cousin. This reinforces the argument that base shape may be the most important aspect of heatsink construction.
The Kotetsu is a complete package, excelling in every area. The stock fan, typical of Scythe heatsinks, not only performs well but has an excellent sound that rivals any current out-of-the-box cooling solution. The mounting system is easy to put together and very secure; the only thing that could make it better is thumbscrews. It's also a tremendous value as the MSRP is a very low US$35.
Unfortunately, the Kotetsu is currently available only at a handful of retailers in Europe and Asia though we did find it listed at one North American site (out of stock and priced at US$10,000 to dissuade ordering). Given Scythe's recent distribution issues, it's unclear when we'll see it in the wild on this side of the world, but we anxiously await its arrival.
Our thanks to Scythe
for the Kotetsu CPU cooler sample.
Scythe Kotetsu
receives the SPCR Editor's Choice Award
* * *
SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
Thermalright HR-22 CPU Heatsink
Noctua NH-U14S Slim 140mm Tower Cooler
Scythe Ashura CPU Cooler
SilverStone Tundra TD03 Liquid CPU Cooler
Scythe Mugen 4 CPU Cooler: Scythe Strikes Back
NoFan CR-95C Copper Fanless CPU Cooler
* * *
Discuss
this article in the SPCR forums.
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