Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

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Entropism
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Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Entropism » Sun Jul 02, 2017 1:01 pm

Looking to upgrade the cooling in my system from a CM 212+, and also anticipate upgrading from a 3570k to a Kaby/Coffee shortly, so I'm in the market for a new cooler. Focus is cool and QUIET while still giving me a good OC. The quieter the better, obviously.

Anyone have any opinions about these two? They're within $5 of each other, with the Kotetsu being the cheaper of the two. I'll also be putting some Slipstream 120s or 140s in my case as well, which is a Corsair 400r. Current fans are 5 Enermax UCTB12P, 2 on the Hyper 212+, 2 intake, 1 exhaust.

lodestar
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by lodestar » Sun Jul 02, 2017 1:29 pm

There is a review on a Netherlands website that tests both of them. In short, according to them, the Scythe Mugen Max is the best of the two performance-wise.

In the UK the Mugen Max is readily available but the Kotetsu is much harder to find. As the review notes the Mugen Max is somewhat more expensive than the Kotetsu. Here it means that price-wise the Mugen Max is not too far away (£10) from the Noctua NH-U14S. Provided you have a case that has the headroom to accommodate the 165mm height of the U14S it might be worth considering that as an alternative.

Entropism
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Entropism » Sun Jul 02, 2017 1:50 pm

I can get them locally in the US for $30/36, with the Max being the more expensive. The Noctua is about $75.

I could even pick up the Fuma for $45, if it would be the better option. I would have to mount the fans higher, as I have all 4 ram slots taken up. The ramsinks are a standard, low profile size.

lodestar
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by lodestar » Sun Jul 02, 2017 2:14 pm

Maybe you could look at the Scythe Mugen 5 that has a higher quality FDB bearing fan and is around $55 all-in from sources such as Newegg. According to the (confusing) results page of this review it is a better performer and quieter than the Mugen Max, so might be worth the extra $19.

CA_Steve
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by CA_Steve » Sun Jul 02, 2017 3:15 pm

If you are getting a 65W CPU, go for the Kotetsu. If you are getting a 95W CPU it's a toss up with potential benefit toward the more massive coolers. If you are OC/Overvolting, go big.

Entropism
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Entropism » Sun Jul 02, 2017 4:38 pm

Right now I have a 3570K at 4.3Ghz. I'll be getting a 7600K (or newer when released) and OCing that as well.

So you recommend the Mugen max?

CA_Steve
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by CA_Steve » Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:57 pm

Sure.

Abula
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Abula » Sun Jul 02, 2017 10:10 pm

I would give a shot to Thermalright True Spirit 140 Power, its been getting great reviews and has a very good fan on it, that can drop to 300rpms or ramp up to 1300rpms. The fan imo its one of the best tonally, the only problem you could encounter is you might need more rpms in case your Overvolt/Overclock is too high, there is always the TY143 in those cases, it will give you 2500rpms max (very loud at this speed), but it can be drop down to 600rpm where its inaudible, but i feel the original TY147A that comes with the cooler will be a good combo for you, you could even add a second TY147A. If you wish to read more, check OCN Thermalright True Spirit 140 Power

Gunbuster
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Gunbuster » Mon Jul 03, 2017 3:22 am

lodestar wrote:There is a review on a Netherlands website that tests both of them. In short, according to them, the Scythe Mugen Max is the best of the two performance-wise.

In the UK the Mugen Max is readily available but the Kotetsu is much harder to find. As the review notes the Mugen Max is somewhat more expensive than the Kotetsu. Here it means that price-wise the Mugen Max is not too far away (£10) from the Noctua NH-U14S. Provided you have a case that has the headroom to accommodate the 165mm height of the U14S it might be worth considering that as an alternative.
Amazon UK stock the Kotetsu https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scythe-Scktt-1 ... 470&sr=8-1

But yeah for a £10 extra its not much more. I already have an unused Kotetsu and AM4 bracket, so even if I get a 1700X I will probably use it anyway.

Anything above that, X299 or Threadripper I would go big, though clearance might be an issue.

Entropism
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Entropism » Mon Jul 03, 2017 8:46 am

In the US, the U14S is over double the price of the Mugen Max, and 2.5x the price of the Kotetsu.

Gunbuster
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Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Gunbuster » Tue Jul 04, 2017 3:39 am

Not so bad here Kotetsu £33 Mugen Max £42 U14S £52. Mainly as the Noctua retails through Amazon, so its a bit cheaper.

To be honest for aircoolers the UK is pretty good, I still shake my head when I know my mate spent £130 on a Kraken X62. He just doesn't like the look of Air coolers :-/ each to there own, at least he bought a good CLC.

Entropism
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Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:20 pm

Re: Scythe Mugen Max vs Kotetsu?

Post by Entropism » Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:31 am

Ended up buying the Mugen Max, and I got 5 Arctic F12 PWM fans for $20 as a clearance bundle.

When it arrives I have to debate about using the F12s, my old Scythe Gentle Typhoons (900rpm I think?), or keep my Enermax PWMs. The enermax are completely silent from where I sit, but I worry they're a little light on the air they're moving.

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