Zalman CNPS8700 NT - How Not to Mount a Cooler
This is the second version of renowned cooler company Zalman’s CNPS8700 we are testing. The NT variant only differs from the LED version tested here in that it features another colour and comes with a PWM-controlled fan. Despite what its colour might lead you to believe, the cooler is actually not made of aluminium but specially treated copper. The NT version features the same catastrophic mounting method we already criticized on LED variant. Thus, the result is identical as well, and we have no choice but to fail this product.
Since the NT’s maximum fan speed is 300 rpm lower under full load than that of its twin, the CPU temperature is slightly higher. Obviously, this affects cooling performance, which is rather meagre at 76°C. When the processor is idle, the NT’s results are on par with those of the LED.
A recommended retail price of €50 is hard to defend in light of these results and far too high.
| CPU | 100% load | idle |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature PWM | 76.5 °C | 38 °C |
| Noise | 44.1 dB(A) | 38.9 dB(A) |
| Fan Speed | 2050 rpm | 1450 rpm |
| Weight | 488 grams | |
| Intel Socket | 775 | |
| AMD Socket | AM2 | AM2+ |
| 939 | 940 |
- Hardware,
- CPU-Coolers ,
- Phenom ,
- Core2
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Nice to see the Noctua's still up there!
I'm hoping they'll review the Zalman CNPS9700 and the Tuniq Tower 120 in the part three of this series.
Any chance of including the standard Intel box cooler as a baseline comparison for temperature, noise and installation?
well just look at page 2 that basicly is an Intel cooler
How can the nexus (pg 2) get a 10 for installation as it is the push pin type that accounts for significant numbers of the 'are my temps ok?' posts on the forum, this method whilst simple in principle, i.e. no backplate, no water etc. it causes many problems upon actual real world installations.
it LOOKS a lot like the Intel HSF, but is it the same? I doubt it, but does anyone know? if not, i too would like to see the intel scores.
I'm using the Titan Amanda tec cooler, never gone over 45°C would've been nice to see that up there too.