Scythe Mugen Max

Introduction

The popular CPU cooler maker Scythe release a new CPU cooler named Mugen Max. The new company product will target ordinary users as well as enthusiasts and overclockers. The Mugen Max is a tower-based cooler that is codenamed SCMG-1000.Based on slightly bigger design with 140mm fan, the new Mugen MAX follows standard tower-type CPU cooler design and supports most modern Intel and AMD CPU sockets.Mugen MAX will replace the model Mugen 2, released back in 2009.Mugen Max has received various optimizations, such as the re-designed heatsink for increased performance and the shifted base-plate for improved compatibility to memory modules.

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The cooler measures 145 x 110 x 161 mm and weighs 870 grams. It has a copper base and six 6-mm nickel-plated copper heat pipes that cool an aluminum heat sink that has three autonomous sections. If this is not enough Scythe provides a secondary heat sink that is situated at the bottom of the cooler. All these features follow the T-M.A.P.S. (Three-dimensional Multiple Airflow Pass-Through Structure) model that should increase the effectiveness of the cooler. The Mugen Max is compatible with all processors for AMD AM3+ and FM2 sockets and Intel LGA2011, LGA115x and LGA1366.

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Packaging,Contents & Fan

The outer packaging for the Mugen Max provides all the information someone would need when deciding if this cooler is compatible with their system.The front is covered in an angled close-up shot of the Mugen Max and Scythe's logo, and mentions support for Intel's socket LGA1150.

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The left side has the cooler's specifications and a diagram documenting its size, and the back of the box has the warranty information for areas outside of Japan.

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The right side of the box lists a few key features of Scythe's Mugen Max, including H.P.M.S (Hyper Precision Mounting System), T-M.A.P.S (Three-dimensional Multiple Airflow Pass-through Structure), the GlideStream 140PWM fan, and more.

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All required mounting clips and screws, as well as a wrench, a multi-lingual manual and quality thermal grease are supplied in the package.

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Almost every CPU cooler form Scythe has been supplied with an axial-fan, matching the designated purpose of the product.To match the wide purpose range of Mugen MAX, one 140-millimeter PWM model of the Glide Stream series has been bundled.

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Fan speed can be controlled conveniently by the PWM controller of the mainboard in a range from 500 to 1.300 RPM, which allows airflow between 63,5 and 165,1 m3/h (37,37 ~ 97,18 CFM).

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Hence allows it to operate virtually inaudible at 13 dBA at lowest speed or really silent at 30,7 dBA when running at maximum.

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A Closer Look

Scythe Mugen MAX stands out with its low weight of only 720 grams (25,40 oz, without fan) in a market segment, where heatsinks easily go beyond 1.000 grams.

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Further surprising is that the overall dimension 145 x 86 x 161 mm (5,71 x 3,39 x 6,34 inch, without fan) is only slightly exceeding the one from Max.

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This cooler tower involves the installation of a 140-mm fan.

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Enthusiasts, seeking even higher performance are able to use the second fan clip set, which is supplied, to attach a second fan and create a "push-pull" constellation!

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Since the processor is in contact with the radiator, using a copper "sole" coated with nickel.

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The cooler includes six 6mm heat pipes that run through an array of aluminum fins.

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Six heatpipes are certainly more than I expected when it comes to this particular type of cooler,in fact, I would say it is nearly unheard of.

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Developers say a special "gear" shape radiator fins, which provides high heat dissipation efficiency.

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Hence assures, that Mugen MAX can be fitted into virtually every PC case available on the market.

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Scythe implemented the well-proven Three-dimensional Multiple Airflow Pass-Through Structure (T-M.A.P.S.) fin structure for its heatsink, which increases the airflow passing in between the fins.The distance between the fins has been increased to 2,6 millimeters (0,10 inch), resulting in reduced flow resistance and improved cooling performance at low fan speeds.

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The base of the Mugen MAX has also received a fair bit of attention with Scythe having polished it to some extent.

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While not a mirror finish, it is certainly far from the rough, machined base on many competing products.

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Installation Process

Users can rely on the long time experience of Scythe when it comes to cooling performance as well as easy mounting systems."Hyper Precision Mounting System" (H.P.M.S.) is the latest and most reliable mounting mechanism provided by Scythe, which is featured by the new Mugen MAX as well. Additionally, it is no longer necessary to remove the whole motherboard in order to dismount the CPU cooler.When it comes to installing the Scythe Mugen MAX, users will find the process fairly easy.You start by putting the backplate into the right spot.

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Now, flip the board over, make sure to have the four white spacers and screw in the proper stud nuts to hold everything in place.

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At this stage, take the mounting plates and, upon lining the holes up for your socket properly, screw them into place with the small screws Scythe provides. It is now time to apply the thermal paste before mounting the heatsink.

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Placing the mounting bar in place on the heatsink, line the holes on it up with the holes in the mounting plates.Once lined up, use the large screws to secure the heatsink in place.Scythe even included a wrench to make this step easier.

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All that remains now is to attach the fans using the included fan clips. Once this is done, simply plug the fans into the CPU fan headers to complete the installation process.

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The mounting hardware Scythe developed for the Mugen Max is very easy to work with.The Scythe Max looks good when installed. Its unique fin-stack design and the heatpipe caps give it a finished look, though its appearance is rather plain.

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Installed - Memory Clearance

Scythe has used an asymmetric layout for the heatsink, where the copper baseplate is slightly shifted. It allows the Mugen MAX to be used with RAM modules, which are equipped with very large heat-spreaders.

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In addition, it is no longer necessary to remove the CPU cooler to access the memory modules.Users that would like to utilize kits like Corsair's Dominator Platinums will not run into problems.

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Test Setup & Methodology

My Test Rig

ASRock Z68 Extreme4
Intel Core i5 3570k
nVidia GTX 580
GeIL Dragon DIMM Kit 16GB PC3-12800U
Seasonic Platinum 1000w
Dimastech Bench Table Easy V2.5

Software

Windows 7 Professional SP1 32Bit
AIDA64 Extreme Edition
Core2Max Performance
Core-Temp
CPU-Temp

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All of the testing is done with an ambient temperature of 25C and humidity is maintained to 35% sometimes less.
I tested the coolers on the Core i5 3570K at its default 3.4Ghz. Next, i was able to achieve a stable overclock of 4.5Ghz with temperatures staying within the processor specs.

Results -Temperature

At Stock settings, the Scythe Mugen Max does well enough.Now on to the worst-case scenario where the coolers are pushed to the limit the Scythe Mugen Max continues to show some impressive performance for its price.

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Results -Noise Level

In the full rpm test i set the fan at maximum speed as, under PWM mode, and Mugen Max registered below the 45 dBA minimum sensitivity of my noise level meter. This result should be taken as a (worst case scenario).The performance of the Mugen Max was pretty good, even at these speeds!

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Conclusion

The Mugen 2 was one of the best coolers in the market back in 2009.Featuring a 120mm fan in an efficient tower form factor, what made the Mugen 2 outstanding was not necessarily the best cooling performance, lowest amount of noise, or the smallest footprint. What made it outstanding is its optimal balance between all factors.It features cooling performance near the top in every review, lowest amount of acoustical noise without moving a pathetic amount of air, and a size that is reasonable and efficient. Fast forward five years to today, what progress has Scythe made to the same form factor? Oh, man -- what kind of question is that? From Three-dimensional Multiple Airflow Pass-Through Structure (T-M.A.P.S.), better fan,to the adaptation of the company's awesome Hyper Precision Mounting System mounting system, there is a lot to like about the Mugen Max.When it comes down to it, the Scythe Mugen Max proved to be a very powerful tower cooler while managing to fit all of its performance in a smaller, lighter package than most of its competitors. The other knock against most performance tower coolers is the sheer amount of space taken up by the whole apparatus and to this end the Mugen Max is a great addition with its size. The clearance all around the board from the RAM slots to the CPU power heatsinks and even the VGA slot is refreshing.

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All in all the Mugen Max is a quality product with that trademark Scythe premium feel. The larger amount of space is a pleasant thing to see and even in double fan mode the Mugen Max will provide clearance for the newer quad-channel RAM motherboards. With all this performance in a smaller, easy to install package it is nice to see that the age of the air cooler has not yet passed.The Mugen Max can be yours for 50USD or 36EUR (excl. VAT).