Scythe KamabokoZ CPU Cooler Review

To test the KamabokoZ we used two different software programs running at the same time to simulate the maximum load possible on the processor. The first programs we used was Passmark Software's BurnInTest V4.0, BurnInTest is a software tool that allows all the major sub-systems of a computer to be simultaneously stress tested for endurance, reliability and stability. BurnInTest tests the CPU, hard drives, CD ROMs, CD burners, DVDs, sound cards, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, RAM, network connections, printers and video playback. The Pro version can also test tape drives, USB 2.0 and 1.x, serial and parallel ports. This can all be done simultaneously as the application is multithreaded.

The second piece of software we used Sisoft Sandra's Burnin Wizard, This wizard allows you to run any benchmark (in verify mode) or burn-in module (or a group of them) either continuously or a specified amount of time in order to test the stability of the system.

While the benchmarks are not designed for burning-in, they are designed to stress the components they test to the limit, being CPU, chipset, memory or disk bound and thus test the stability of the system. The burn-in wizard puts them in verify mode (if supported) that tests the results after completion.

The burn-in modules are designed to stress the components by executing tasks that are known to cause problems and test/use as much of the components functionality as possible. Most of the time, this means causing the components temperature to be raised as much as possible.

Prior to starting our test we allow the system to idle for 30 minutes at this point the base temperature is established and the room temperature is noted as well. Next we run the the two programs together for 15 minutes and we are recording the temperature variations with the probe we attached next to the processor core which in-turn is attached to our volcano 12.

Next we increased the FSB so that we ended up with 14 x 240 which brought us up to 3.360 GHz, at this setting we allowed the system to set and idle for 30 minutes and recorded the temperature once again from our probe. The started the process once again for 15 minutes at which point we recorded the temperature for the final time.

Taking into consideration that the KamabokoZ was not intended to be used as an overclocking heatsink it did better than I had expected especially in light of the fact that our tests were conducted using a notoriously hot running Prescott processor. Had these same tests been done on a AMD64 or P4-Northwood I bet you money-marbles or chalk that the score would swung the other way making the KamabokoZ look totally awesome.

I'll give Scythe very high marks for high quality of this product as it very well make and it a nice "Beast of a Heatsink" to have installed in your system once it is in place. Under normal day to day operation you can set the fan to the mid-position and forget about it and you will be hard pressed to hear it and the temperatures will range in the low 30's with a room temp of 74 degrees and the Silverstone case I am using has a pair of 120mm fans so there is nothing fancy about the cooling, the fact is the KamabokoZ just works!

If you're looking for a new heatsink whether it be for a socket 478, LGA 775 or AMD64 the new Scythe KamabokoZ CPU Cooler just might be the ideal solution for you.

A special thank to Scythe USA who was gracious enough to provide us with this product to review.