Scythe Kamakaze AthlonXP / Pentium 4 Heatsink Review
It's becoming more and more common to find heatsinks able to fit on both Intel and AMD processors. From the manufacturers perspective, this duality simply translates into more sales and less costs since they can sell the same heatsink for either processor type.
We've become aware that this flexibility usually
comes at a price however, as the drastically different characteristics of each
CPU necessitate equally unique thermal design criteria. The Scythe Kamakaze heatsink tries to solve all these
issues, and
comes with all the necessary hardware to cool both types of processors. As we review
this heatsink we'll be looking closely to see just how well it handles both
cooling applications.
The Kamakaze heatsink
looks remarkably similar to the Alpha Novatech PAL8942 which was one massive, and very effective heatsink. Perhaps then, it is just a coincidence that both Alpha Novatech and Scythe are based in Japan. In any case, the Kamakaze is an interesting heatsink because it is set up to work on both Intel Pentium 4 and AMD AthlonXP processors thanks to a complex mounting mechanism. Below you can see the Scythe Kamakaze configured for Socket
A processors, but with the turn of a few screws it can just as easily be set up
for an Intel system.
 |
| Heatsink
Specsheet: |
- Model: Kamakaze
- HS
Material:
Cold forged Aluminum with Copper base
-
Fan: 1300-3400 RPM, 12V
- Fan Dim: 25x80x80mm
- FHS Dimensions: 87x70x70mm
- Weight: 690 grams
- Application: SocketA/478
- Made by:
Scythe Co. Ltd.
Sold By:
www.scythe-usa.com
|
| |
   |
I found the
clipping system a bit difficult to work with and somewhat finicky since screw pressure is
used to apply force to the processor below. By this method it is very easy to
tighten the screws unevenly, and apply force unevenly on the CPU. That being the
case, the heatsink could be propped up on just one corner of the processor, and
not really even be making any firm contact with the rest of the heat spreader
surface (in the case of a Pentium 4).
The retention systems are made from stainless steel and
work fairly easily for the user. Each clip screws into the heatsink at a single
point and then clips into the HSRM or socket to hold the Kamakaze firmly in
place. Getting the socket 478 version on the socket can be a challenge
though.
83%
