Scythe Ashura CPU Cooler Review

By Julian Duque

Manufacturer: Scythe Co. LTD
Product Name: Ashura CPU Cooler
Model Number: SCASR-1000
UPC: 4571225051987
Price As Tested: $52.32 (Amazon | Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Scythe.

If you are the type of person that prefers to buy products from experienced companies then you won’t be hard-pressed by the manufacturer of the product in this review. Scythe has been around since 2002, that is thirteen years that sets them as one of the oldest and most experienced companies in the DIY PC market. This week, they have allowed Benchmark Reviews to take a look at some of their latest high performance coolers and today the spotlight falls on the Scythe Ashura, a compact 120 mm cooler which Scythe claims will pass our tests with flying colors.

If there is one reason for Scythe’s success is their operating philosophy. Instead of spending money in expensive ad campaigns, Scythe builds upon quality and design by investing in their research and development department unlike many modern manufacturers on the market. In turn, Scythe continues to amaze their small fan base globally by bringing forth advancements in the field and sustaining the outstanding quality they are most frequently known for.

Air-Cooling VS Water-Cooling

There are several misconceptions when it comes to the ordeal of choosing a cooler for your processor. It is true that Water-Cooling may yield better cooling results, mostly due to water’s higher thermal conductivity when compared to the ethanol and ammonia mixture found in most heat-pipes based coolers. But that does not mean that air coolers should not be considered as an option for enthusiasts. Unlike water-coolers, air-coolers do not need a pump, and can be “Passively Cooled” for quieter operation. Although pumps have become more silent and reliable, they should still be considered as another moving part inside your system that may be subject to failure, as well as being a source of noise. Another important factor to take into consideration when choosing the right CPU cooler is compatibility, Most heatsinks require certain parameters to be met including the CPU cooler height limit of your case, and motherboard clearance compatibility. In contrast, water-coolers only require a place to mount the radiator inside your case, as most CPU blocks are small enough to not interfere with important components near the CPU socket.

Features & Specifications

Courtesy of Scytheus.com

Model Name:
Ashura CPU Cooler

Model Number:
SCASR-1000

Compatibility:
Intel®:

Socket LGA2011 / 2011-v3 (Square ILM)
Socket T / LGA775
Socket LGA1150
Socket LGA1155
Socket LGA1156
Socket LGA1366

AMD®:

Socket AM2
Socket AM2+
Socket AM3
Socket AM3+
Socket FM1
Socket FM2
Socket FM2+

Dimensions:
145 x 65 x 161 mm / 5.71 x 2.56 x 6.34 inch

Weight:
750 g / 26.46 oz (excl. fan)

Accessories:
Mounting plate x2 (Intel), mounting plate x2 (AMD), mounting bar x1, screws for clips x4, mainboard screws x8, mounting screws x2, back plate spacer (Socket 775) x1, washers x4, wrench x1, fan clips x4, thermal grease, backplate, installation manual

Base Plate Material:
Nickel plated copper

Fan Model Name:
GlideStream 140 PWM (adapted Model)