Scythe Kabuto 3 CPU Cooler Review

Test Setup

This is going to be tested on our Z170 test bench, using the components below. We always use a graphics card with good thermal properties, and it must have an idle cut out, so we can test the sound properties during both idle and load. We use AIDA64 Engineer stress test which won’t spool up the graphics card fans, so we are genuinely recording the CPU coolers sound performance. After some feedback, we have changed the layout of the charts, instead of idle being the sorting metric we have used load.

Software used for load tests and temperature capture;

• HWiNFO64
• AIDA64 Engineer

We ran the AIDA64 Engineer stability test in 30 minute batches and recorded the results. We used the Core Max result as there is typically a variance across the cores of a couple of degrees. We only selected the cache, FPU and CPU tests, so no other component would generate impacting heat during the tests. We always “run in” our CPU cooler installations, essential to maximizing the performance of the cooler before testing begins.

Turbo was enabled for the stock tests as we always do, this will take the 4.0Ghz to 4.20Ghz during the stress test. 

BIOS Setting

We used the default PWM setting for the testing. The fan profile is bottom middle of the screenshot.

Sound Level Testing

We used a standard generic digital sound level meter at 15 inches. It is important to note we used the Lian-Li PC-T60 Test Bench for testing which is an open chassis. This means you are hearing the CPU coolers fan unobstructed.