A followup to the Scythe Mugen 4, the Mugen Max features a larger 140 mm fan and an assymetric design to enhance its memory compatibility. Large enough to be a dual fan model, the Deepcool Lucifer V2 ships with just one, but is actually optimized to function with none.
February 23, 2015 by Lawrence Lee
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Product
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Scythe Mugen Max CPU Cooler |
Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2 CPU Cooler |
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Manufacturer
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Scythe | Deepcool |
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Street Price
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US$50 | US$55 |
Scythe Mugen Max
For many enthusiasts, the thought of a premier CPU heatsink evokes the image of a sparkling, dual tower, twin fan behemoth. Scythe however, has a more reserved attitude towards their products, even their top of the line Mugen series. Thus far they’ve stayed away from expensive nickel-plated fins that can be found on almost of their competitors’ high-end SKUs, and have stuck to a more pragmatic single tower design, passing the savings onto the consumer. The latest edition, the Mugen Max, retails for only US$50.
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Compared to the Mugen 4, the Mugen Max is slightly shorter and shallower, but the width has been increased in order to take better advantage of a fan upgrade from 120 mm to 140 mm. The heatpipes are now nickel-plated but they retain the same shape, as does the core fin structure. The fins are thicker and there are fewer of them, and the weight is distributed unevenly in order to keep the fan clear of the memory slots. This asymmetric strategy is becoming more common in order to improve memory compatibility with taller DIMMs and AMD boards that have the CPU socket positioned uncomfortably close to the RAM.
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Along with the heatsink and fan, included in the package is all the necessary mounting hardware, a packet of thermal goop, a small wrench, two sets of fan clips, and an assembly guide.
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Scythe Mugen Max: Specifications
(from the product web page) |
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| Model Name | Mugen MAX CPU Cooler |
| Model Number | SCMGD-1000 |
| Socket compatibility | Intel®: Socket LGA775, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA2011 (Square ILM)
AMD®: Socket AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ Please note that for mounting on motherboards with the AMD-Socket, the original back plate of the motherboard will be necessary. Please confirm if it is on hand prior to your purchase. |
| Overall Dimensions | 145 x 86 x 161 mm / 5.71 x 3.39 x 6.34 in (w/o fan) |
| Weight | 720 g / 25.40 oz (heatsink only) |
| Accessory | 2x mounting plate (Intel), 2xmounting plate (AMD), 1x mounting bar, 4x screw for mounting plates, 8x stud nuts, 2x mounting screws, 1x spacer (socket 775), 4x spacer, 1x wrench, 4x fan clips, back plate, thermal grease, installation manual |
| Baseplate Material | Nickel-plated Copper |
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Fan Specifications
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| Model Name | GlideStream 140 PWM |
| Model No. | SY1425HB12M-P |
| Fan Size: | 140 x 140 x 25 mm / 5.51 x 5.51 x 0.98 in |
| Noise Level | 13 ~ 30.7 dBA |
| Air Flow | 63,5 ~ 165m³/h / 37.37 ~ 97.18 CFM |
| Fan Speed | 500 rpm (± 300) ~ 1.300 rpm (±10%) (PWM-regulated) |
| Static Pressure | 0.15 ~ 1.02 mmH2O / 1,47 ~ 10,0 Pa |
| Bearing Type | Sleeve Bearing |
Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2
I’m not a supporter of passive cooling as adding a single fan running at a very low speed improves performance by an order of magnitude while staying practically inaudible to all but the most sensitive of ears. It’s a small niche but it’s one worth filling if only to gain notoriety. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish either; The only passive models to successfully cool one of our CPU cooling test platforms are NoFan’s CR-80EH and CR-95C Copper, which have an unorthodox construction compared to a more traditional tower design like the Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2.
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While billed as a fanless heatsink, it does ship with a single 140 mm fan for “normal” users. It sports a six heatpipe design as well but has much larger body than the Mugen Max. It’s noticeably taller and is as deep as a dual tower model. Its broad fins are spaced in a much looser array to aid heat dissipation in the absence of active airflow.
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Despite its monstrous size, the Lucifer V2 is packaged as if it’s fragile, encapsulated in Deepcool’s version of Russian nesting doll. The heatsink resides in a box with a larger box acting as a cushion, which is sandwiched between the fan and accessory boxes, all of which is stuffed inside a very tall exterior box. It ships with a manual, two sets of fan clips, a tube of thermal compound, a case badge, and mounting gear. All the accessories are separated into different bags which are sealed with staples of all things.
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Deepcool Lucifer V2: Specifications
(from the product web page) |
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| Application | Intel Socket 130W LGA2011-V3 / LGA2011 / LGA1366 / LGA1156 / LGA1155 / LGA1150 / LGA775AMD Socket 125W FM2+ / FM2 / FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ / AM2 |
| Overall Dimension (Without Fan) | 140 x 110 x 163 mm |
| Overall Dimension (With Fan) | 140 x 136 x 168 mm |
| Net Weight | 1079g (With Fan) |
| Heatpipe | 6 x 6 mm |
| Fin Material | Aluminum |
| Base Material | Full-copper base |
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Fan Specifications
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| Dimension | 140 x 140 x 26 mm |
| Weight | 143g |
| Speed | 300±150 ~ 1400±10% RPM |
| Rated Current | 0.17 ± 10%A (MAX) |
| Power Input | 2.04 W |
| Max. Air Flow | 12.6-31.1 dB(A) |
| Rated Voltage | 12V DC |
| Operating Voltage | 10.8~13.2V DC |
| Starting Voltage | 7V DC |
| Bearing Type | Hydro Bearing |
PHYSICAL DETAILS: Scythe Mugen Max
The Scythe Mugen Max is composed of 39 aluminum fins friction-fit
to 6 x 6 mm thick nickel-plated copper heatpipes which in turn are soldered to a nickel-plated
copper base. According to my measurements, the heatsink’s dimensions are 14.5 x 8.4 x 16.0 cm (W x D x H) and its weight is 700 grams. The stock fan adds an additional 140 gram to that total, and it increases the cooler’s stature by 5 cm when centered (it can also be positioned lower as not to add any extra height).
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PHYSICAL DETAILS: Deepcool Lucifer V2
The Deepcool Lucifer V2 has a similar construction as the Mugen Max but is shaped and proportioned very differently. It has six heatpipes as well but three fewer fins (36) and measures 14.0 x 11.0 x 16.3 cm (W x D x H), making it bigger in every dimension. Our sample weighs 760 grams and 900 grams with the fan, a far cry from the 1079 grams listed in the official specifications. In the lowest possible position, the fan adds 4 mm to the overall height.
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INSTALLATION: Scythe Mugen Max
The most critical aspect of installation is firm, maximum contact
between the base and the CPU heatspreader for efficient heat conduction. Ideally
it should also be a simple procedure with the user having to handle as few pieces
of hardware as possible.
The Mugen Max utilizes the same updated system used previously by Scythe with the Mugen 4, Ashura, and Kotetsu coolers. It’s a similar method to other big name manufacturers and involves assembling a metal mounting rig around the CPU socket and pinning the heatsink to it using a thick crossbeam over the base of the heatsink to apply downward pressure in order to ensure good contact.
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INSTALLATION: Deepcool Lucifer V2
The Lucifer V2 uses the same basic installation method as the Mugen Max but it’s a bit easier to put together as the mounting assembly is secured with thumbnuts instead of screws.
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TESTING
Before thermal testing, we took some basic physical measurements of the product(s) for comparison.
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Approximate Physical Measurements
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| Model | Scythe Mugen Max | Deepcool Lucifer V2 |
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Weight
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700 g (heatsink only) 840 g (with stock fan) |
760 g (heatsink only) 900 g (with stock fan) |
| Height | 160 mm | 163 mm |
| Fin count | 39 | 36 |
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Fin thickness
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0.40 mm | 0.39 mm |
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Fin spacing
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1.77 mm | 2.44 mm |
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Vertical Clearance*
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51 mm | 53 mm |
| * measured from motherboard PCB to bottom fin of heatsink |
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Large Heatsink Comparison:
Average Fin Thickness & Spacing |
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Heatsink
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Fin Thickness
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Fin Spacing
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SilverStone Heligon HE02
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0.52 mm
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3.30 mm
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Thermalright HR-01 Plus
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0.45 mm
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3.15 mm
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Thermalright HR-02 Macho
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0.34 mm
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3.12 mm
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Thermalright HR-22
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0.53 mm
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2.74 mm
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Scythe Ninja 3
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0.39 mm
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2.64 mm
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Noctua NH-U12P
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0.44 mm
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2.63 mm
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Noctua NH-C12P
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0.47 mm
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2.54 mm
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Cryorig H5 Universal
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0.40 mm
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2.47 mm
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Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2
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0.39 mm |
2.44 mm |
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LEPA LV12
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0.51 mm
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2.38 mm
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Noctua NH-D14
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0.43 mm
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2.33 mm
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Thermalright Archon SB-E
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0.49 mm
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2.33 mm
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Phanteks PH-TC12DX
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0.39 mm
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2.30 mm
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GELID Tranquillo Rev.2
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0.40 mm
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2.30 mm
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GELID GX-7 Rev.2
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0.31 mm
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2.25 mm
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Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
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0.40 mm
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2.24 mm
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Be Quiet! Dark Rock 2
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0.38 mm
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2.22 mm
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Phanteks PH-TC14PE
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0.40 mm
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2.21 mm
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Prolimatech Armageddon
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0.51 mm
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2.08 mm
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Cryorig R1 Ultimate/Universal
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0.42 mm
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1.78 / 2.37 mm
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Zalman CNPS10X Quiet
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0.40 mm
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2.00 mm
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Prolimatech Megahalems
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0.50 mm
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2.00 mm
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Scythe Ashura
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0.43 mm
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1.97 mm
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NZXT Havik 140
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0.41 mm
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1.91 mm
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Scythe Mugen-2
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0.31 mm
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1.89 mm
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SilverStone Tundra TD03 (radiator)
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0.43 mm
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1.86 mm
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SilverStone Argon AR01
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0.30 mm
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1.85 mm
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Thermalright Venomous X
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0.53 mm
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1.84 mm
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Scythe Mugen 4
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0.30 mm
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1.82 mm
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Noctua NH-C14
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0.38 mm
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1.79 mm
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Enermax ETS-T40
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0.40 mm
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1.79 mm
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Noctua NH-D15
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0.46 mm
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1.79 mm
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Scythe Yasya
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0.32 mm
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1.78 mm
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Scythe Mugen Max |
0.40 mm |
1.77 mm |
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Enermax Liqtech 120X (radiator)
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0.46 mm
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1.76 mm
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Be Quiet! Shadow Rock Slim
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0.42 mm
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1.73 mm
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SilverStone Argon AR03
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0.42 mm
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1.72 mm
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Noctua NH-U14S
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0.42 mm
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1.72 mm
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Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366
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0.40 mm
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1.70 mm
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Scythe Kotetsu
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0.35 mm
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1.66 mm
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Scythe Grand Kama Cross
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0.38 mm
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1.66 mm
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Zalman CNPS9900 MAX
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0.16 mm
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1.59 mm
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Thermalright Silver Arrow
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0.32 mm
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1.57 mm
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Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
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0.43 mm
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1.54 mm
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Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme Rev.C
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0.56 mm
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1.52 mm
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Swiftech H240-X (radiator)
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0.13 mm
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1.80 mm
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Deepcool Gamer Storm
Maelstrom 240 (radiator) |
0.26 mm
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1.14 mm
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NZXT Kraken X31/X41 (radiator)
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0.15 mm
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1.07 mm
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NZXT Kraken X61 (radiator)
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0.13 mm
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1.02 mm
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Larger heatsinks are tested on our
LGA1366 heatsink testing platform, while smaller coolers tackle our
LGA1155
heatsink testing platform. A summary of the test system and procedure follows.
Key Components in LGA1366 Heatsink Test Platform:
- Intel Core i7-965 Extreme
Nehalem core, LGA1366, 3.2GHz, 45nm, 130W TDP. - Asus
P6X58D Premium ATX motherboard. X58 chipset. - Asus
EAH3450 Silent graphics card. - Intel
X25-M 80GB 2.5″ solid-state drive. Chosen for silence. - 3GB QiMonda
DDR3 memory. 3 x 1GB DDR3-1066 in triple channel. - Seasonic X-650 SS-650KM
650W ATX power supply. This PSU is semi-passively cooled. At the power levels
of our test platform, its fan does not spin. - Arctic Silver
Lumière: Special fast-curing thermal interface material, designed
specifically for test labs.
Key Components in LGA1155 Heatsink Test Platform:
- Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge core, LGA1155, 3.1 GHz, 45nm, 95W TDP, overclocked/volted to 3.6 GHz and 1.300V.
- Intel DP67BG ATX motherboard.
P67 chipset. - Asus
EAH3450 Silent graphics card. - Kingston
SSDNow V 30GB 2.5″ solid-state drive. Chosen for silence. - OCZ Platinum Extreme Low Voltage DDR3 memory. 2 x 2 GB, DDR3-1333 in dual channel.
- Seasonic X-400 SS-400FL
400W ATX power supply. Passively cooled - Arctic Silver
Lumière: Special fast-curing thermal interface material, designed
specifically for test labs.
The systems are silent under the test conditions, except for the CPU cooling
fan(s).
Normally, our reference fans are used whenever possible, the measured details
of which are shown below.
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Reference Noctua 140mm fan
Anechoic chamber measurements |
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Voltage
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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12V
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1250 RPM
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28~29 dBA
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9V
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990 RPM
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21 dBA
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8V
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880 RPM
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18 dBA
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7V
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770 RPM
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15~16 dBA
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6V
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660 RPM
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13 dBA
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Reference Nexus 120 mm fan
Anechoic chamber measurements |
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Voltage
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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12V
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1080 RPM
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16 dBA
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9V
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880 RPM
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13 dBA
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7V
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720 RPM
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12 dBA
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Reference Nexus 92 mm fan
Anechoic chamber measurements |
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Voltage
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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12V
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1470 RPM
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17 dBA
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9V
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1280 RPM
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14 dBA
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7V
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1010 RPM
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12 dBA
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Measurement and Analysis Tools
- Extech 380803 AC power analyzer / data logger for measuring AC system
power. - Custom-built, four-channel variable DC power supply, used to regulate
the fan speed during the test. - PC-based spectrum analyzer:
SpectraPlus with ACO Pacific mic and M-Audio digital
audio interfaces. - Anechoic chamber
with ambient level of 11 dBA or lower - Various other tools for testing fans, as documented in our
standard fan testing methodology. - SpeedFan,
used to monitor the on-chip thermal sensors. The sensors are not calibrated,
so results are not universally applicable. The hottest core reading is used. - Prime95,
used to stress the CPU heavily, generating more heat than most real applications.
All instances are used to ensure full stress. - CPU-Z,used to monitor the CPU speed to determine when overheating occurs.
- Thermometers to measure the air temperature around the test platform
and near the intake of the heatsink fan.
Noise measurements are made with the fans powered from a separate, fanless system. Load testing was accomplished using Prime95 to stress the processor, and the
graph function in SpeedFan was used to ensure that the load temperature is stable
for at least ten minutes. The temperature recorded is the highest single core
reading. The stock fans were tested at various voltages to represent a good
cross-section of airflow and noise performance.
The ambient conditions during testing were 10~11 dBA and 21~23°C.
Noise Measurements: Scythe Mugen Max
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Specifications: Scythe Mugen Max Stock Fan
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| Manufacturer | Scythe | Power Rating | 4.44 W |
| Model Number | SY1425HB12M-P | Airflow Rating | 37.37 ~ 97.18 CFM |
| Bearing Type | Sleeve | Speed Rating | 500 ~ 1300 RPM |
| Frame Size | 140 x 140 x 25 mm (120 mm mounting holes) | Noise Rating | 13 ~ 30.7 dBA |
| Hub Size | 40 mm | Header Type | 4-pin PWM |
| Blade Diameter | 129 mm | Starting Voltage | < 4.0 V |
| Cable Length | 30 cm | Weight | 140 g |
| Corner Type | Open | Retail Availability | Yes |
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Data in blue cells provided by the manufacturer
or observed; data in the green cells were measured. |
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The Mugen Max’s stock fan is the same as the Scythe Ashura, the PWM version of the GlideStream 140 with sleeve bearings. It has an octagonal frame with square corners poking out to give it standard 120 mm mounting holes to maximize compatibility and fairly skinny blades compared to most 140 mm models.
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Stock Fan Measurements
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PWM Setting
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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100%
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1300 RPM
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32 dBA
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65%
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940 RPM
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25~26 dBA
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60%
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810 RPM
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20 dBA
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55%
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700 RPM
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16 dBA
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50%
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590 RPM
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13 dBA
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0%
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380 RPM
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12 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. |
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On PWM control, our sample’s speed range is impressive, from 1300 RPM all the way down to a paltry 380 RPM. It’s practically inaudible at minimum speed and stays quiet (by our standards) up to about 800 RPM.
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The acoustic profile of the stock fan is smooth for the most part though there is some underlying chatter emitted by the bearings. At lower speeds, there is some noticeable clickiness, especially at lower speeds when there is less air turbulence masking the effect. Of course this is in open air — inside a case this characteristic probably isn’t audible except at very close proximity, assuming the other components are very quiet.
Noise Measurements: Deepcool Lucifer V2
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Specifications: Deepcool Lucifer V2 Stock Fan
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| Manufacturer | Deepcool | Power Rating | 2.04 W |
| Model Number | ? | Airflow Rating | 81.33 CFM |
| Bearing Type | Hydro | Speed Rating | 300 ~ 1400 RPM |
| Frame Size | 140 x 140 x 25 mm (120 mm mounting holes) |
Noise Rating | 12.6 ~ 31.1 dBA |
| Hub Size | 41 mm | Header Type | 4-pin PWM |
| Blade Diameter | 126 mm | Starting Voltage | 4.5 ~ 5.0 V |
| Cable Length | 42 cm | Weight | 90 g |
| Corner Type | Open | Retail Availability | No |
Data in blue cells provided by the manufacturer or observed; data in the green cells were measured. |
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The Lucifer V2’s stock fan appears to their GF140 retail fan but with a slimmer frame and slightly higher nominal speed. The blades are of average size though they’re slightly shorter than most 140 mm models, and the low angle they form with straight struts has been known to increase tonality.
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Stock Fan Measurements
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PWM Setting
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Speed
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SPL@1m
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100%
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1360 RPM
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34 dBA
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65%
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1020 RPM
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25 dBA
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60%
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930 RPM
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21~22 dBA
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55%
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830 RPM
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19 dBA
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50%
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720 RPM
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16 dBA
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45%
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580 RPM
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13 dBA
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0%
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360 RPM
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12 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. |
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Deepcool’s fan can hit very low speeds on PWM control as well, with our sample bottoming out at a mere 360 RPM. The fan is quiet at about 900 RPM and below.
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The stock fan has a consistent noise quality throughout its range. For the most part it’s smooth but it’s afflicted with a low-pitched clicking noise that persists up until 1000 RPM. This effect is sharper and more pronounced than the Mugen Max fan. In a very quiet system, it may be audible to hyper-sensitive users.
Test Results: Active Cooling
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Test Results: Scythe Mugen Max
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Fan Setting
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Single Fan
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Dual Fan
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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SPL@1m
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100%
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32 dBA
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34°C
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N/A
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65%
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25~26 dBA
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37°C
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60%
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20 dBA
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38°C
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55%
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16 dBA
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39°C
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50%
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13 dBA
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43°C
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Reference 140 mm Fan (NF-P14)
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12V
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29 dBA
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37°C
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36°C
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33~34 dBA
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9V
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22 dBA
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39°C
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36°C
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26 dBA
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8V
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19 dBA
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41°C
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37°C
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23 dBA
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7V
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16~17 dBA
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42°C
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39°C
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19~20 dBA
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6V
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14 dBA
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43°C
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41°C
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16 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. |
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The Mugen Max performs strongly on our test platform, keeping the CPU thermal rise below 40°C for most of the stock fan’s range. Its sweet spot is at 55% on PWM control (830 RPM), a very quiet level for most users. Our reference fan fails to improve on these results, and in fact delivers inferior cooling when outputting similar noise levels to the stock fan. Dual fan operation is most advantageous in the middle of reference fan’s speed range, improving performance by 3~4°C, but it’s less effective at very high/low speeds.
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Test Results: Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2
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Fan Setting
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Single Fan
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Dual Fan
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SPL@1m
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Thermal Rise
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SPL@1m
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100%
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34 dBA
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39°C
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N/A
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65%
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25 dBA
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41°C
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60%
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21~22 dBA
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41°C
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55%
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19 dBA
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43°C
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50%
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16 dBA
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45°C
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45%
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13 dBA
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49°C
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Reference 140 mm Fan (NF-P14)
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12V
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31 dBA
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39°C
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37°C
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34~35 dBA
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9V
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24 dBA
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40°C
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39°C
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28~29 dBA
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8V
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21 dBA
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42°C
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40°C
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24 dBA
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7V
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16~17 dBA
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42°C
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40°C
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22 dBA
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6V
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14 dBA
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44°C
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41°C
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17 dBA
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Measuring mic positioned 1m at diagonal angle from
the center of the heatsink. Ambient noise level: 10~11 dBA. |
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The Lucifer V2 proves that bigger is not necessarily better, producing noticeably higher temperatures than the Mugen Max. Its proficiency is especially disappointing with very low fan speeds, but this is due to the stock fan more than anything; Our reference fan is markedly superior at lower speeds. Typically a big heatsink benefits more from a push-pull twin fan configuration but adding a second fan results in only a marginal improvement at all but the lowest fan speeds.
Comparison Table
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CPU Thermal Rise Comparison (°C)
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SPL (dBA@1m)
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22
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21
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20
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
|
NZXT Kraken X61
|
33
|
34
|
35
|
37
|
||||||||
|
Prolimatech Genesis*
(2 x reference 140 mm fans) |
35
|
36
|
37
|
39
|
||||||||
|
Thermalright Silver Arrow
|
35
|
38
|
40
|
|||||||||
|
Noctua NH-C14
|
36
|
37
|
39
|
41
|
||||||||
|
Scythe Kotetsu
|
35
|
38
|
41
|
42
|
||||||||
|
Thermalright HR-22*
(2 x reference 140 mm fans) |
37
|
38
|
39
|
|||||||||
|
Swiftech H240-X
|
33 |
35
|
36
|
39 | ||||||||
|
Noctua NH-D15
|
38
|
39
|
40
|
|||||||||
|
Scythe Mugen Max
|
38
|
39
|
43
|
|||||||||
|
Thermalright Archon SB-E
|
39
|
40
|
43
|
|||||||||
|
Phanteks PH-TC14PE
|
38
|
39
|
41
|
|||||||||
|
Thermalright HR-02 Macho
|
38
|
39
|
40
|
41
|
43
|
|||||||
|
Scythe Mugen 4
|
40
|
42
|
45
|
|||||||||
|
Noctua NH-U14S
|
38
|
40
|
43
|
|||||||||
|
NZXT Kraken X41
|
38
|
|||||||||||
|
Scythe Mugen Max
(dual reference 140 mm fans) |
39
|
41
|
||||||||||
|
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3
|
39
|
40
|
44
|
49
|
||||||||
|
NZXT Havik 140
|
39
|
41
|
||||||||||
|
Be Quiet! Shadow Rock Slim
|
40
|
41
|
42
|
|||||||||
|
Cryorig R1 Ultimate
|
37
|
41
|
42
|
|||||||||
|
Thermalright HR-22*
(reference 140 mm fan) |
39
|
40
|
42
|
44
|
||||||||
|
Scythe Yasya
|
40
|
43
|
||||||||||
|
Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366
|
41
|
43
|
46
|
|||||||||
|
Cryorig R1 Universal
|
39
|
41
|
||||||||||
|
Zalman CNPS10X Quiet
|
40
|
42
|
47
|
|||||||||
|
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
|
41
|
44
|
54
|
|||||||||
|
SPL (dBA@1m)
|
22
|
21
|
20
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
|
Deepcool Maelstrom 240
|
40
|
41
|
45
|
46
|
||||||||
|
Scythe Mugen Max
(reference 140 mm fan) |
39
|
41
|
42
|
43
|
||||||||
|
SilverStone Tundra TD03
|
40
|
|||||||||||
|
Scythe Grand Kama Cross
|
40
|
41
|
44
|
49
|
||||||||
|
Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2 (2 x reference 140 mm fans)
|
40
|
41
|
||||||||||
|
Cryorig H5 Universal
|
41
|
42
|
45 | 46 | ||||||||
|
Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2 (reference 140 mm fan)
|
42
|
42
|
44
|
|||||||||
|
Scythe Ashura
|
42
|
44
|
||||||||||
|
Phanteks PH-TC12DX
|
41
|
44
|
||||||||||
|
Silverstone Argon AR03
|
41
|
43
|
48
|
|||||||||
|
SilverStone Argon AR01
|
42
|
44
|
50
|
|||||||||
|
Scythe Ninja 3
|
44
|
46
|
||||||||||
|
Titan Fenrir
|
43
|
45
|
47
|
|||||||||
|
Cooler Master Seidon 240M
|
40
|
43
|
53
|
|||||||||
|
Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2
|
41
|
43
|
45
|
49
|
||||||||
|
SilverStone Heligon HE02*
(2 x reference 140 mm fans) |
44
|
46
|
||||||||||
|
Antec Kühler H20 620
|
42
|
44
|
47
|
|||||||||
|
LEPA LV12
|
45
|
48
|
52
|
|||||||||
|
Zalman CNPS9900 MAX
|
45
|
47
|
49
|
|||||||||
|
NZXT Kraken X31
|
43
|
44
|
47
|
|||||||||
|
Enermax Liqtech 120X
|
44
|
45
|
||||||||||
|
SilverStone Heligon HE02*
(reference 140 mm fan) |
45
|
46
|
48
|
50
|
||||||||
|
GELID Tranquillo Rev.2
|
48
|
49
|
50
|
|||||||||
|
Be Quiet! Dark Rock 2
|
48
|
52
|
55
|
61
|
||||||||
|
Zalman CNPS9900DF
|
48
|
50
|
53
|
|||||||||
|
GELID GX-7 Rev.2
|
49
|
51
|
56
|
|||||||||
|
Core i7-980X Stock Cooler
|
53
|
62
|
||||||||||
|
Enermax ETS-T40
|
49
|
55
|
64
|
|||||||||
|
Core i7-920 Stock Cooler
|
64
|
FAIL
|
||||||||||
|
SPL (dBA@1m)
|
22
|
21
|
20
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
|
Single/dual fan air-cooled heatsinks in light/dark green.
Single/dual fan liquid coolers in light/dark blue. *Models that ship without a fan tested with reference fans. |
||||||||||||
The Mugen Max’s fine showing lands it in the top ten of our CPU cooler chart, roughly on par with the Noctua NH-D15 and Thermalright Archon SB-E. The stock fan seems to be one of the keys to its success as it outperforms even the dual reference fan configuration.
A 5~6°C deficit compared to the Mugen Max at similar noise levels is enough to drop the Lucifer V2 to the bottom third of our chart. However, if you lose the weak fan in favor of our reference model, its performance perks up enough to upgrade it to a more middling position. It is a significant improvement on the SilverStone Heligon HE02 though, the only heatsink we’ve tested with a similar shape/body. This is primarily due to the V2’s far superior base/heatspreader contact.
Test Results: Passive Cooling
While the Deepcool Lucifer V2 ships with a fan, it’s obviously designed with passive cooling in mind. Thus, some fanless testing is in order.
|
Passive Cooler Performance: CPU Thermal Rise
(Core i5-2400 @ 3.6 GHz, 1.3V, Prime95) |
|||
|
Time Elapsed
|
Deepcool Lucifer V2
|
NoFan CR-80EH
|
NoFan CR-95C Copper
|
|
Start
|
4°C
|
5°C
|
4°C
|
|
5 mins
|
51°C
|
70°C
|
50°C
|
|
10 mins
|
69°C
|
74°C
|
53°C
|
|
15 mins
|
74°C
|
76°C
|
54°C
|
|
20 mins
|
76°C
|
78°C
|
|
|
25 mins
|
78°C
|
||
|
>30 mins
|
79°C
|
||
On our less demanding small heatsink test platform with an overclocked/overvolted Core i5-2400, the Lucifer V2 produces a barely stable result, edged out slightly by the recently reviewed NoFan CR-80EH. It finishes this test with a CPU thermal rise of 79°C though, just 1~2°C before the processor begins to throttle. The ambient temperature in our lab is typically between 19°C and 22°C; In a slightly warmer environment, it would fail this test.
|
Passive Cooler Comparison: CPU Thermal Rise
(Core i7-965 @ 3.2 GHz, 1.2V, Prime95, half load) |
||||
|
Time Elapsed
|
SilverStone Heligon HE02
|
Thermalright HR-22
|
Deepcool Lucifer V2
|
NoFan CR-95C Copper
|
|
Start
|
14°C
|
14°C
|
14°C
|
15°C
|
|
4 mins
|
54°C
|
46°C
|
46°C
|
55°C
|
|
8 mins
|
73°C
|
61°C
|
57°C
|
60°C
|
|
10 mins
|
FAIL
|
68°C
|
64°C
|
61°C
|
|
12 mins
|
N/A
|
75°C
|
69°C
|
62°C
|
|
14 mins
|
FAIL
|
73°C
|
||
|
16 mins
|
N/A
|
77°C
|
||
|
18 mins
|
FAIL
|
|||
Our large heatsink test platform, even on half load, is more taxing. The Lucifer V2 fails this test after 18 minutes, though it does manage to hang on longer than the SilverStone HE02 and Thermalright HR-22, which are also billed as fanless solutions.
MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR’s
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We’ve listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.
These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds
in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn’t hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn’t record it either!
The recording starts with 5 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don’t change the volume
setting again.
- Scythe Mugen Max stock fan at 1m
— at 50% PWM, 590 RPM (13 dBA)
— at 55% PWM, 700 RPM (16 dBA)
— at 60% PWM, 810 RPM (20 dBA)
— at 65% PWM, 940 RPM (25~26 dBA)
— at 100% PWM, 1300 RPM (32 dBA)
- Deepcool Gamer Storm Lucifer V2 stock fan at 1m
— at 45 PWM, 580 RPM (13 dBA)
— at 50% PWM, 720 RPM (16 dBA)
— at 55% PWM, 830 RPM (19 dBA)
— at 60% PWM, 930 RPM (21~22 dBA)
— at 65% PWM, 1020 RPM (25 dBA)
— at 100% PWM, 1360 RPM (34 dBA)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Scythe Mugen Max
The Mugen Max offers excellent cooling proficiency, and in fact is the most effective asymmetric heatsink we’ve tested with a single fan. Physically, it’s height is standard for a tower cooler and has a lopsided design, giving it an edge in compatibility against much of the competition. Additionally, the fan is strong performer with above average acoustics.
Overall, this is the most well-rounded CPU heatsink we’ve examined in some time. There’s nothing to complain about, except perhaps that it doesn’t outshine the wunderkind that is the Scythe Kotetsu. Even the price is very reasonable at US$50, much less than other manufacturers are charging for their elite cooling solutions.
Deepcool Lucifer V2
In 2012, I reviewed the SilverStone Heligon HE02, a similar big tower designed for fanless operation. Unfortunately it was a disappointment due to poor contact between the heatsink base and the CPU heatspreader. Thankfully, the Lucifer V2 doesn’t suffer from this issue, becoming the cooler the HE02 should have been. Of all the traditionally designed tower heatsinks we’ve tested that tout fanless potential, the Lucifer V2 is the most successful, performing on par with the NoFan CR-80EH. Incidentally, NoFan specifies a thermal limit of 80W for the CR-80EH, while Deepcool is silent on the matter.
The included fan is definitely a weak point, but even with a superior fan, its proficiency with direct airflow is lackluster. If you’re looking to run a standard heatsink/fan combination, there are a multitude of stronger coolers out there that don’t take up nearly as much space as the expansive V2. The stock fan is more of a backup plan in case it can’t handle passive operation, as the heatsink’s design obviously isn’t optimized for active cooling. The V2 is quite tall as well, measuring 16.3 cm from top to bottom, which might be an issue for some smaller/narrower cases.
From a practical standpoint, I’m not a proponent of passive cooling but if you’re interested in a fanless operation, the Lucifer V2 is certainly one of the better options available. I do prefer the much smaller and lighter NoFan CR-80EH but it appears to be unavailable to North American retail channels. The V2 is a solid alternative that can be purchased for US$55 at Newegg.
Our thanks to Scythe
for the Mugen Max and Deepcool for the Lucifer V2 CPU cooler samples.
* * *
Scythe Mugen Max wins the SPCR’s Editor’s Choice Award
Deepcool Lucifer V2 is Recommended by SPCR
SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
Deepcool Gamer Storm Maelstrom 240 AIO Liquid Cooler
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 & Cryorig H5 Universal Coolers
NoFan CR-80EH & CS-60 Fanless Cooler & Case
Phanteks PH-TC14S & Cryorig C1 CPU Coolers
Cryorig R1 Ultimate & Universal CPU Coolers
Swiftech H240-X CPU Liquid Cooling Kit
* * *
