Scythe Samurai CPU Cooler
Review by: Steve
Edited by: Ji4m
Provided by: Scythe USA

Introduction:
As CPUs get faster and hotter, sometimes the stock heatsink just doesn't cut it anymore. People sometimes want to overclock their systems more than what the stock cooling can handle. Here is when an upgrade is needed, and you should definetely consider the Scythe as an option.

In The Box:
(1) CPU Cooler (heatsink) with 80mm fan attached
(1) Retention Bracket for Socked A CPUs
(1) Retention Bracket for Socket 478 CPUs
(2) Screws for Retention bracket
(2) Screws for Socket 754 (Athlon 64) and Socket 940 (Opteron)
(2) Rheobus to control CPU fan speed
(1) Thermal Compound
(1) Installation Guide

Overview:
The all copper heatsink transfers heat away from the CPU faster than standard aluminum heatsinks.
Installation is very simple on all platforms and all the necessary mounting hardware is included!
When looking at the heatsink from the side, it looks like your average copper heatsink with 42 fins, however when the fan is removed these fins have a unique design which Scythe calls "Wave Stacked Fins" When looking at the base of the heatsink I could tell that it isn't perfectly smooth, but then again most heatsinks aren't. If the stock base isn't good enough for you, you could always give it a lapping.
Also included with the heatsink is an 80mm fan. The fan's power comes from a 4 pin molex connector, which isn't like the majority of CPU fans which use a 3 pin TX3 lead. You are able to monitor the speed via a single wire lead that plugs into your motherboards TX3 connector This wire provides no source of power to the fan. There is also a rheostat included which mounts in an empty slot in the back of your case. With that installed you are able to control the speed of the fan from 1300RPM to 3400RPM. By doing that you can make the fan quieter when not being heavily used, however when you start to do high demanding applications and are heating up the heatsink you have to remember to turn the fan speed back up or you could do some damage to your CPU!

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