Value Cooling: Two Towers for under $30

Final Words

Effective CPU cooling is really very simple and should accomplish the following:

• Lowering the processor temperature compared to the retail HSF. If an after market cooling solution does not perform better than the kit heatsink, there is no real reason to buy it.
• Higher overclocking compared to the retail HSF. A cooler CPU could result in a longer CPU life, but most users upgrade cooling to overclock even further than is possible with a stock HSF.
• Lower noise than Stock Cooling. For some this is an optional requirement, while for others it is extremely important. Effective cooling and noise reduction are often at odds in effective cooling, but some coolers manage this task better than others.

The Scythe Katana and the Thermalright MST-9775 add another variable and that is value. They both sell for around $25 and were designed to bring excellent performance for what they cost. In addition, they are both very light and can be used in situations like LAN Party PCs, where a large, heavy heatsink like the Tuniq Tower 120 or the Scythe Infinity might be just too heavy for a PC on the move. So given these goals how do these two coolers stack up?

The Thermalright MST-9775 is a good replacement for the Intel HSF for those looking for value, small cases, or traveling PCs. It cools better than the Intel retail HSF and allows overclocking about 50MHz further than the stock HSF. Installation on the Intel Socket 775 (Socket T) is very easy - as easy as the Intel retail unit. Noise is below the retail CPU at low auto speeds and a bit louder at higher fan speeds. The MST-9775 is small and should fit almost any motherboard and case combo. If you need something even smaller Thermalright has a low-profile OEM model. The MST-9775 also features a 4-pin fan connector that allows pin 4 to control fan speed.

The Thermalright disadvantages are that it will only fit Socket 775. Of course that is where today's best overclocking chips reside, so it is only a disadvantage if you are trying to OC and cool a processor that fits a different socket.

The Scythe Katana also cools better than the Intel retail HSF. In fact at most speeds it cools better than the Thermalright. This is mainly due to the fact that the Katana does not have a variable fan speed like the MST-9775 has. The Katana overclocks further than the retail HSF and slightly outperforms the OC of the Thermalright. The Katana is also a universal heatsink, and comes with the necessary hardware to fit any current socket except AM2. If you are cooling Socket A the Katana is probably the best cooler you can buy, as it is one of the very few to actually meet the Socket A weight limit of 300g.

The universal fit of Katana is also its downfall. Installation on Socket 775 is absolutely horrible, requiring more time and patience than most people possess. However, if you hang in there and attach Katana while the motherboard is out of the case you will be rewarded with very good performance on Core 2 Duo. Katana also does not have a fan controller, which means it is a bit noisier than the Intel retail HSF. You can add a fan controller and correct this or opt for the more expensive Katana CU which includes a fan controller.

Both the Thermalright MST-9775 and the Scythe Katana are good values at a cost of around $25. They perform better than the Intel retail HSF, though not by a huge margin. However, neither of these bargain towers challenges the top tower heatsinks like the Tuniq Tower 120 in cooling and overclocking efficiency. The MST-9775 and Katana may do all you want to do and they are both worth the money. For those buyers you have found a solution. If you move your PC a lot you should also consider one of these lightweight towers. But those looking for the best air cooling available and the best overclocking of their processor will be better served with a top of the line tower cooler like the Tuniq Tower 120.