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Zalman CNPS9700 NT
| Caractéristiques | |||
| Type | heatsink and fan | ||
| Compatibility | 775 / AM2 / 940 / 939 / 754 | ||
| Material | copper | ||
| Fan size | |||
| PWM | yes | ||
 Show all specifications
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| Dimensions | 90 x 124 x 142 mm |
| Weight | |
 Hide specifications | |
Régis Jehl
Test date: November 25, 2008
Test date: November 25, 2008
Compatibility, Installation and Accessories
This Zalman model is more widely compatible with AMD's sockets--where it works with AM2, 940, 939 and 754--than it is with Intel's, where it only supports 775.
Installation is the same as with other Zalman heatsinks, and depends on which socket you're using. If it's a 775, then you'll need to first remove the motherboard so that you can install a cradle behind the motherboard and then clip the heatsink into place on either side of the processor.
It's even easier for AMD's sockets, which already have a cradle pre-installed, and just need the processor to be clipped into place.
Zalman includes a full bottle of its excellent ZM-STG1 thermal grease, with a small brush inside the lid making it very easy to apply.
Installation is the same as with other Zalman heatsinks, and depends on which socket you're using. If it's a 775, then you'll need to first remove the motherboard so that you can install a cradle behind the motherboard and then clip the heatsink into place on either side of the processor.
It's even easier for AMD's sockets, which already have a cradle pre-installed, and just need the processor to be clipped into place.
Zalman includes a full bottle of its excellent ZM-STG1 thermal grease, with a small brush inside the lid making it very easy to apply.
Like the rest of Zalman's 9000 series, the CNPS9700 NT has a rather unusual design.
A series of heat-exchanging blades, made from nickel-coated copper, are arranged in a circle around a central fan.
This vertical block sits behind the processor, to which it's connected by three heatpipes also made in nickel-coated copper.
Unlike the smaller CNPS9300 AT, the CNPS9700 NT has a 110 mm fan instead of a 92 mm model, but still uses a PWM power supply which allows for more accurate control of fan speeds.
The whole thing lights up in green while the fan is in operation.
Compare this heatsink's performance
charts in our Product Face-Off: Heatsinks
charts in our Product Face-Off: Heatsinks
Very Powerful--But Very Loud
When it come to keeping your processor cool, this model is relatively effective.
None of the processors wet tried it on got too hot, including the most powerful quad-cores that we could lay our hands on.
In fact, it's just about as powerful as the Thermalright IFX-14 when it teams up with a fan.
As ever, though, the processor is let down by its noise levels, which reach 56.9 dB(A) when the fan is turning at full speed.
Whether you are keen on the quiet life or can handle a little background noise, that much of a racket makes the fan totally useless.
The only solution is to turn the power supply right down to 7 V, or even 5 V, leaving a hoarse murmur rather than a roar.
The problem with this, though, is that the cooling power drops off and it's possible that the Zalman CNPS9700 NT won't be able to handle some of the hottest quad-core processors.
Pluses
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Excellent cooling--with the fan turning at a medium setting and above
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Easy to install
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Top quality thermal grease included
Minuses
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Noisy fan
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Less useful with fan running more slowly
Zalman's products are named CNPS for a reason--they're supposed to be part of a program called 'Computer Noise Prevention System'. That seems to have passed them by here, though, as the 7900 NT has a particularly noisy fan. Apart from that, it delivers excellent cooling performance.
