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Zalman CNPS9900 MAX CPU Cooler Review
If it wasn't just because of the CNPS10X Extreme CPU Cooler, I'd say Zalman definitively bets to produce coolers based on their unique design. I can really argue on how full tower coolers can be better for extreme overclockers or people who just want to push their hardware to the limits in non-extreme conditions. So let me start this review going 2 weeks back in time when I received the Zalman CNPS9900 MAX. Of course I was thinking this could be a good cooler, but I really couldn't think on how it could compete in the major leagues. Some days after that, we received a "reviewer's guide", with detailed features and comparisons about this new product. I started reading it when I got surprised; there was a chart comparing the CNPS9900 MAX against the Thermalright Venomous X full-tower cooler and the CNPS10X too, and the CNPS9900 MAX was showing the best performance among the competition. Of course, being this from the manufacturer, I needed to take it with a grain of salt, but I was just ready to try and obtain similar results, or simply explain how sad reality is in this article. Additionally, the Venomous X was tested with an ADDA AD1212HF-A7BGL fan spinning at 2,200rpm and moving 85CFM.
OK, so that's how I got really interested on testing the Zalman CNPS9900 MAX, as Zalman had some very convincing features including 3 heat-pipes being equivalent to 6 (U-shaped) heat-pipes, a 135mm fan, and a very appealing black-pearl nickel plating including a mirror-finished base. Also, Zalman is launching a new heat-pipe design which is supposed to be 50% more effective in heat transfer compared to ordinary heat-pipes. Through my review, I'll test the CNPS9900 MAX against the very popular Prolimatech Megashadow, and a pair of dual-tower heatsinks: the Cogage Arrow (pretty much the same as the new TR Silver Arrow) and the Noctua NH-D14. Before starting, let me get things straight. Don't expect tons of charts with different fans as the CNPS9900 doesn't have the ability to change its fan. However, keep in mind this CPU heatsink utilizes a 135mm fan (while other normally support 120mm fans) and it's said to work at 1500 and 1700 rpm as shown in the specifications below. You can't install a second fan either, but I'll test with 2 different CFM configurations; one quiet and another one not very quiet, but enough to move similar CFM as the fan shipped with the CNPS9900 MAX. For more detailed information about our testing methodology please read the next pages.
Zalman CNPS9900 MAX Features
- Powerful Cooling Performance Qmax: 300W
- Ultra Quiet 135mm Blue/Red LED Fan
- PWM Fan Speed Control
- Black-Pearl Nickel Plating
- Super Thermal Grease ZM-STG2
- Versatile Compatibility
CNPS9900 MAX Specifications
- Dimensions: 94(L) x 131(W) x 152(H) mm
- Weight: 755g
- Material: Base & Heatsink: Pure Copper
- Dissipation Area: 5,402 cm2
- Heat-pipes: 3 Ω (Omega) Shaped Heat-pipes - Equivalent to Performance of 6 Heat-pipes
- Fan: PWM 135mm Blue/RED LED Fan
- Fan Speed Quiet Mode: 900 ~ 1,500 rpm ± 10%
- Fan Speed Normal Mode: 900 ~ 1,700 rpm ± 10%
- Fan Noise Quiet Mode: 18 ~ 27 dBA ± 10%
- Fan Noise Normal Mode: 18 ~ 30 dBA ± 10%
- Input Voltage: 5V (Quiet Mode), 12V (Normal Mode)
- Bearing Type: Long Life Bearing 50,000hrs or greater
- Supported Sockets: Intel Socket LGA1366/1156/775 & AMD Socket AMD/AM2/AM2+
- Thermal Grease: ZM-STG2
- Thermal Grease Color: Gray
- Thermal Grease Capacity: 3.5g
- Thermal Grease Temperature Stability: -40°C ~ +150°C (-40? ~ +302?)
Manufacturer: Zalman Tech Co., Ltd.
Product Name: Zalman CNPS9900 MAX
Model Number: CNPS900-MAX
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Zalman.
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BmR Reviews: 
Comments
I still think the Cooler Master v10 got a bad rap since reviewers were unwilling to match it to its performance level--which is 80C or higher temps when OCing Core i7s. The v10 is just another cooler until you turn on it's Peltier system.
Then again, if you want to keep your box relatively cool with moderate OCing, the V10 is overkill, and you'd be better going cheaper for the same performance at lower temps.
And the reason I considered it like a con, is because nowadays many PC cases come with a back-door for CPU installation without removing the motherboard, and doing it gets really difficult, especially without removing your RAM and PCI-e cards.
Thanks for the heads up.
So, the direct question: running over 4GHz on 980X for a few hours - yes or no to this cooler?
I am thinking of buying it, and need an answer to this.
Thanks
And I downloaded the manual, and no tape was shown.
I guess they have improved the model since this review.
In the second step where they're preparing the heatsink backplate they put an squared sticky tape (color=yellow).
Thank you for using our product.
The Double-Sided Tape is for user convenience only. It helps the Loading Block assembled Backplate to be attached to be backside of motherboard while installing the cooler. If you do not use it, you will just be burdensome while screwing in the bolts due to lack of it.
If you need such kind for easy installation, you may make it with commonly used electrically non-conductive double-sided tape by yourself.
Regards,
Tech Support/ZALMAN
So it's not really a necessity. Getting mad a Zalman as you did in the review was clearly not valid.
Anyways, I just put in my order.
a week later i realized i had used to much zalman grease, so i pulled it cleaned ,one small pea and put it right back in .
No Problems what so ever , easy very easy !
so how can i do this with no experience, yet the rest whine about it ????????? oh it works great!
Asus-M4A89GTD pro, OS win7-64
Phenom llx4,955be Deneb 3.2GHz
2x2Gb Crucial 256Mx64 DDR3
XFX Radeon HD5770A-ZNFC 1Gb
XFX Radeon 650W psu
zalman cnps9900 max
zalman z9 plus case
seagate barracuda 7200 1TB, asus dvd
samsung SyncMaster 2494HM
OC.Tools:prime95, cpu-z ,coretemp, 3dmark06