We did a simple test to the heatsink by monitoring the temperature using a EPoX 8RDA6+ Pro mainboard with its diagnostic program USDM (Unified System Diagnostic Manager) supplied in the CDROM running a AXP3200+ at SPD 512M

Here are our readings running the CPU with Super PI 16M tests which lasted throughout the afternoon with an ambient temperature of around 28 Deg Celsius.

We recorded the results of the heatsink at min/max fan speed when it is idle and after SuperPI 16M is completed.

Scythe Samurai SCSM-1000

Gigabyte 3D Rocket-Pro Cooler PCU22-VG

At 1300RPM, the Samurai is almost noiseless. I couldn't hear any noise coming from the fan except probably from the Radeon 9700pro card. Even at 3400RPM full speed, the noise level is way below that of the Gigabyte Rocket3D cooler we reviewed earlier running at 3835RPM.

It is not difficult to see that with a lower fan speed, the CPU heats up very fast. When idle, it was 35 Deg Celsius. After the completion of Super Pi 16M, it recorded 55 Deg Celsius. It is still within the AMD specs but we can feel that the heatsink is warm.

After that, we set the fan speed to max of 3400RPM and temperature drops back to around 35 Deg Celsius on Idle. We ran Super PI 16M again and temperature maintain at a maximum of 45 Deg Celsius after multiloops.

Conclusion

Scythe Samurai SCSM-1000 can be said to be the quietest heatsink/fan we have come across so far. Despite the slightly high temperatures at low fan speed. The heatsink has perform well in the temperature tests. In fact, if you want a quiet system, the fan speed can be reduced to 1300RPM for an almost noiseless PC. At 3400RPM, the temperatures are as good as the top notch heatsinks out there. Although it didn't come with blinking lights or ducts, this heatsink/fan is a good choice if you are looking for one to build an almost 100% noiseless system, be it a AMD or Intel P4. Take note that this heatsink does not support LGA775 Prescott Socket type.

The documentation has room for improvement by having more detail pictures or even on site step by step instructions on the installation procedure. Colour photos would have helped as well. The heatsink needs some slimming, it is a bit too big in size. In fact, the edge of the heatsink was blocked by the Epox 8RDA6+ Pro's chipset heatsink.

Overall, a very good product. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who wishes to reduce the noise level of their PCs and still has effective cooling.

Price : USD 29.00