Conclusion

Scythe NINJA 2 is undoubtedly a more efficient cooler than all the previous models from this series. Even a 310g heavier NINJA Copper is not cooling better. NINJA 2 performs very well in passive mode and pretty good in active mode. However, it reveals its true potential best of all with two high-speed fans blowing a powerful stream of air through the aluminum heatsink plates (2 x 110CFM). And even though the system will be pretty noisy in this case, those computer enthusiasts who don’t mind some noise and do not need a lot of RAM at the same time, will be truly pleased with Scythe NINJA 2 performance. This is an optimistic conclusion.

Now let’s me take a look at this solution from a slightly different angle. It is evident that the NINJA series has exhausted its potential and Scythe engineers as well as their marketing specialists do whatever it takes to maintain users’ interest to popular samurai coolers. However, they seem to be working not hard enough. Too bad that for almost a year they didn’t change anything in the principal cooler design. Where is the retention frame that would be attached with screws through the mainboard PCB? It is hardly acceptable to fasten the high-end cooler weighing a little less than 1kg with plastic clips bending the mainboard PCB. It is only fit for low-profile boxed coolers from Intel, but not for the top air-cooler. Where are the grooves in the base plate and high-quality soldering technique ensuring proper contact between the base and the heatpipes? Besides, there is still no actual contact between the top layer of heatpipes and the bottom of the aluminum heatsink at the bottom of the cooler, just like by NINJA Copper. And finally the price. I am not trying to discourage anyone, but there are currently about a dozen high-quality air coolers in the market today that cost around $54, which will be more efficient and at least not any noisier than Scythe NINJA 2. So, Looks like the Japanese cooler maker has something to think about, and we sincerely hope that this review will give some food for thought, rather than reason for frustration…