Prolimatech Samuel 17 Small Form Factor CPU Cooler Review

In most enthusiast circles the word “small” makes people roll their eyes heavenward but in certain niches like the HTPC market, being small is a badge of honor. Prolimatech must have been thinking the exact same thing when they designed the new Samuel 17 cooler. Much like the biblical quote Samuel 17 refers to, this pint size David is set to take on the Goliaths of this industry.

Usually known for their massive products with loads of excess cooling potential, the diminutive size of Prolimatech’s Samuel 17 will likely come as a bit of a surprise for many of you. The goal here is also much more down to earth that its larger brethren since the Small Form Factor market it plays in doesn’t demand the potential to cool highly overclocked processors. Compact, quiet performance is the name of the game here but nonetheless we will still be testing the Samuel to the limits of its abilities.

One of the more interesting things we have seen is the fact that the SFF heatsink market is quite barren for the moment. Customer interest is definitely there in spades but other than a few products from the likes of Scythe and Zalman, there really isn’t that much choice. We’re guessing Prolimatech saw the same thing and jumped into the pool face first.

The Samuel 17 has a MSRP of $44 US and can be found in select retailers and e-tailers alike through out North America. This is far from inexpensive for a heatsink that has such modest goals but with the ITX and mATX markets booming, it might be just what the doctor ordered. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how it does in not only the shear brute force cooling department but also in the value department as well.