Scythe Ninja Plus and Scythe Ninja Mini CPU Heatsinks Author:  Jerry Ashcroft Date:  2008.02.11 Topic:  Cooling Provider:  Scythe Manufacturer:  Scythe

Scythe Ninja Plus and Scythe Ninja Mini

Testing

One would think that because the Ninja Mini is so much shorter (I believe I counted 24 fins shorter? I might be wrong though), and the fan is 30 - 40mm smaller, that it would be outperformed by its larger cousin (brother? not sure which is the right terminology), the Ninja Plus. While it is true that the Plus does cool better, the difference might surprise you. The system I am using to test the processors is an Intel Q6700 CPU, on the DG33TL Intel motherboard, 2x2GB PC800 ram, with an 8800(512mb) to stir up some more heat in the case. It is running a 800W PSU, and has 2 120mm fans for intake on the front, and one 120mm fan plus the fan on the PSU for output out the back. The case itself is the LANCOOL K7. Not a bad little rig to generate some heat.

The software I am using for tests under load is Prime 95, which will essentially internally compute infinitely large prime numbers, which as you would imagine, would stress the CPU out quite a bit. Also, for some practical testing, I played a bit of Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance. Temperatures were measured after about 30 minutes of running both tests.

Conclusions

As you can see, the Ninja Plus performs better, as we expected. The difference at idle though wasn't too drastic. All tests were performed with stock fan included, which is actually extremely quiet. My power supply is not load by any means, but it drowned out any sounds the CPU fan was making. Honestly though, I was expecting a little bit better results from the Ninja Plus though. The heat sink is enormous with a full 120mm fan for large amount of air movement, and it was only marginally better than the stock cooler intel sent with my processor. We're talking a difference of less than 5 degrees Celsius. But the Ninja series sure looks great and intimidating sitting there inside the case, and cooling is benefited by having them, they are better than stock. I was just hoping for more from it. Maybe I'm just dreaming.

Also, don't be put off by the Ninja Mini's lower scores. The Mini is ideal for placing in a media or home theater PC, with its lower profile, and near silent fan, it is more than able to handle the loads put on it by a computer delivering you your media needs, and won't yell and scream (i.e. it's quiet) at you in the process. So for that low profile computer you have been wanting, throw this thing in there and let it do the rest.