Scythe Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler Review

Ratings: Ease of Use, Performance: 23/25, Look & Feel: 24/25, Features & Software 20/25, How much I enjoy 24/25
Total: 91/100

The Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler is a large CPU Cooler with six heat pipes and two sets of cooling fins. The 120 MM fan that sits on top of the second set of fins adds even better thermal protection and cooling to your CPU with very little noise. The Andy Samurai from Scythe is for a good variety of CPU models including the AMD AM2, AMD 939, AMD 940, Intel socket T and Intel socket 478 processors.

The Andy Samurai comes with the CPU Cooler and 120 MM fan installed, a small amount of thermal grease and several mounting clips for the various PCU types. There is also an install manual in Japanese and English for installation using the various mounting clips.

Here are the specifications from the Scythe website:

Model Name: Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler
Model #: SCASM-1000
Manufacturer: Scythe Co., Ltd. Japan

Combined Dimensions: 124 x 135 x 125(H) mm
Weight: 685g

Fan Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Fan Speed: 1,200rpm (±10%)
Fan Noise Level: 20.94 dBA
Air Flow: 49.58CFM
Bearing Type: Sleeve Bearing

Due to the large side footprint of the second heat sink you should make sure you have plenty of clearance for the CPU cooler before purchasing if you have a case with lots in it. The heat sink at the base with the heat pipes is smaller than the second heat fin area and will easily clear any items not much taller than you regular memory sticks.

On my system the ends of the heat pipes come out over the first memory stick by a few millimeters but it is not in the way for removing and replacing any of the memory sticks on the ECS KA3 MVP motherboard. You can also turn the CPU cooler 180 degrees to have the portion of the cooler with the heat pipes that curve down from the base to the second set of fins on another side so that they clear any obstructions of your motherboard or system.

The Andy Samurai is a great heat sink fan combination that looks like it will fit a wide variety of motherboards and processors. Due to the smaller footprint of the lower fins and heat sink it should have no problem clearing most motherboards but you should check size requirements of your system.

Installation in my ECS KA3 MVP motherboard system was a snap and took only a few minutes. The base of the CPU cooler is a nicely polished copper with some very small and light scratches from machining but it has been polished some. The heat pipes are made of nickel plated copper and the rest of the fins are aluminum. The base heat sink is a 53 MM tall and 55 MM wide aluminum heat sink with some thinker aluminum fins. The top heat sink with its thin aluminum fins is about 124 MM by 100 MM but the side measurement with the curves of the heat pipes is 135 MM wide.

This dual heat sink arrangement works very well with some excellent cooling on my system. I did have a Buffalo CPU Cooler from EverCool on my system that would average about 40 to 43 degrees with my ambient room temp at about 28 degrees Celsius. With a good load such as running continuous Sisoftware Sandra XI processor tests I would get temperatures as high as 56 degrees Celsius.

Using the Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler I get temperatures of 30 to 34 degrees Celsius at idle and under a load using Sandra XI processor tests I get temperatures of 40 to 42 degrees. I have not seen temperatures over 46 degrees with the Andy Samurai using the Speedfan temperature software as my measurement system. This is about ten degrees cooler than the EverCool Buffalo cooler and my system does have a processor that gets quite hot, the AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+.

The case temperature of my system also reflects this added cooling by creating a nice airflow pattern through my system. With the smaller base heat sink it allows for a good air flow around the base of the entire cooler and around the area of the motherboard by the CPU.

The Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler is a very good CPU cooler especially if you're using a top end processor whether you have an Intel or AMD type. The coolers design with the two sets of fins and heat sinks and six heat pipes allow for a very lot of cooling surface area and performs very well. The cooler performs very well and is as easy as any CPU cooler could be to install. I highly recommend the Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler from Scythe for an exceptional CPU cooler.