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OMG how good is the Zalman CNPS9500A-LED CPU Cooler

Discussion in 'Overclocking & Cooling' started by davetherave2, 15 Sep 2009.

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    15 Sep 2009 at 00:00
      #1
  1. davetherave2

    Mobster

    Joined: 27 Mar 2003

    Posts: 2,549

    I would like to just say I am amazed at how well this cooler runs and at such a low price.

    A bit of history first.

    I have had my system set up for some time consisting of the following:
    E6600 with Tuniq Tower 120
    ASUS Rampage Forumla X48 Mobo
    BFG 8800GTX
    4 * 1GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 800
    Coolermaster Power M1000 PSU
    2 * DVD Burners
    1 * XBOX 360 HD-DVD Drive
    3 * 74GB Raptors
    2 * 1TB Samsung Drives
    2 * WD 500GB (1 hot swap)
    2 * Icy Dock 5 Bay hot swap enclosures
    1 * Akasa Amber 120mm Fan
    1 * Akasa 80mm multi led fan
    Razor Tarantula K/b
    Logitech MX1000 mouse
    Hyundai 24" monitor

    All enclosed in my Coolermaster Stacker STC 101 w/ side window.

    Now the core of this system has stayed the same for quite some time but the volume of noise being generated from the fans was starting to get too much and also decided that the tuniq was not doing a decent job cooling my cpu at low fan speed levels so due to one of my razor k/b's (used for work) had a fault I decided to pop over to OcUK and sort out my cooling once and for all while leaving the kb for testing.

    As part of my trip I got the:

    Zalman CNPS9500A-LED CPU Cooler
    Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 800 RPM - 3 Pin
    Xilence XPF80R Red Wing 80mm Quiet Fan

    And am I glad I got these products.

    After having a complete clean up of the system, it's amazing how much dust gets generated around the fans :D

    I fitted the new parts (cooler was a bit of a tight squeeze) and fired the system up and have to say I was more than pleasently supprised and worried when I heard close to no fan noise from the system.

    I had to double check the system to make sure everything was spinning up correctly.

    Now my temps are much better cpu is around 44C with the cooler running at 1300 rpm lowest speed and the mobo which always seemed to be running too hot is now a cool 39C with NB @ 49C when previously everything was running a lot hotter with the previous cooling averages were 49/55/60 (CPU/MB/NB)

    Now it seems the loudest thing in my case is the psu fan (other than when the hdd's are being accessed) which is more than acceptable as it isn't too loud compared to what it was previously.

    So I would like to say thank you OcUK for making this cooler an absolute bargin and if anyone is in the market for a quality cooler at a bargin price you won't go far wrong with this.

    I think I may have to start OC'ing my system again to see what sort of performance I can get out of it. :p
     
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    2. 15 Sep 2009 at 00:08
      #2
  2. JonJ678

    Capodecina

    Joined: 22 Dec 2008

    Posts: 10,371

    Location: England

    At thirteen quid? That's amazing.

    I'm temped myself and I have no computer to put it in. Thanks for the post :)
     
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    3. 15 Sep 2009 at 00:59
      #3
  3. dr4g0nf1y

    Wise Guy

    Joined: 30 Jun 2009

    Posts: 1,028

    Location: Norwich

    I've always stood up for zalman, still one of the least backed coolers about and always slated as being over priced, well I beg to differ
     
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    4. 15 Sep 2009 at 01:06
      #4
  4. Plec

    Capodecina

    Joined: 19 Apr 2003

    Posts: 13,456

    That's very impressive/encouraging considering the gargantuan cooler it replaced.

    Is the 44C an idle or load temp?

    I have an Akasa AK-965 with a bolt-thru-kit which is letting my clock down – at first I thought it was a result of the summer, then I thought it was the pushpins creating a poor contact with the MB (so bought a bolt-thru kit). And now I’m thinking it’s just a poor contact between the two surfaces (CPU/HS) – which is easily rectified with a new HS (if not i'll lap both).

    Your review has made me take a closer look at this funky looking HS as i originally thought it had more style than substance – especially at its original price. But, from reading user reviews it seems to be doing a very good job and the figure of 8 heatpipe is an interesting design with obvious benefits.

    I wasn't going to spend any more on this rig until i upgraded and bastardised this rig into a HTPC (or NAS) - but at £13 I think I may put one in my basket and see if I can get this CPU finally up to 4GHz.

    Thanks for the synopsis.
     
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    5. 15 Sep 2009 at 01:39
      #5
  5. davetherave2

    Mobster

    Joined: 27 Mar 2003

    Posts: 2,549

    44C is idle and running the 2M Super PI on both cores pushes the temp to 48/49C which too me is more than acceptable given the past cooler I was using.

    I thought given that it was £13 I would give it a try and I am glad I did.

    I have used zalman products before my dad still has a zalman flower cooler (CNPS7500) I think on his old skt 478 p4 which is still going strong after 5+ years.

    As I said the fit was very difficult due to the size of the mounting bracket and the passive heatpipes the ramage has but i managed to get it fitted with a little wiggling and also partially clipping the hs and mounting bracket to one side before putting it in the final position. I will try and take some photos to show how tight the fit is.
     
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    6. 15 Sep 2009 at 11:12
      #6
  6. Plec

    Capodecina

    Joined: 19 Apr 2003

    Posts: 13,456

    It's the load temps that are important, and 49C is a great result - especially if you're still using the fan on its lowest setting?

    Thanks for the added info – I’ve looked closely at my MB and I may have problems fitting that bracket. I will study your pics with interest if you do decide to put any up.

    Additional: I've just taken my case side off and my temps have dropped 10 degrees - so i think a congested case is more my problem (5 HDD's are not conducive to good airflow.). This dramatic change didn’t show itself in the summer – so I may be better off waiting and purchasing a better designed case and larger drives when I upgrade. (or if i can muster up the enthusiasm i'll lap the CPU.)

    It’s still very tempting as it’s a funky design – but I would have to strip the rig down ‘again’ to fit it (different bracket) and I’m not sure it will give me the desired results now i know my airflow is a major issue. (I may just buy it to have a look.)

    That doesn't surprise me knowing your love for cast copper ;)

    Has your polish friend finished machining your copper equivalent of the 'die cast top'? (i'll be posting on the other thread soon as i have a few Ubuntu questions - as i've finally got round to installing it. It's not very impressed with ATi - and i need to find a way to reduce the fan speed but it didn't like the alternative drivers...)
     
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    7. 15 Sep 2009 at 11:57
      #7
  7. carrot1401

    Mobster

    Joined: 2 Oct 2007

    Posts: 3,556

    Location: Oxfordshire

    Any one know if they're making a 1156 clip support kit for this, seeing as they did one for the 1366 lot?
     
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    8. 15 Sep 2009 at 12:50
      #8
  8. Plec

    Capodecina

    Joined: 19 Apr 2003

    Posts: 13,456

    They were pretty quick to release a 'Socket 1366 Clip Support Kit for CNPS9500' so it wouldn't surprise me if they were thinking of doing the same for the 1156.

    Your best bet would be to e-mail them directly as there is no extra information on their webiste.
     
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    9. 15 Sep 2009 at 13:12
      #9
  9. carrot1401

    Mobster

    Joined: 2 Oct 2007

    Posts: 3,556

    Location: Oxfordshire

    Just fired an email off to their support section, will update here if I get anything back....
     
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    10. 15 Sep 2009 at 16:15
      #10
  10. davetherave2

    Mobster

    Joined: 27 Mar 2003

    Posts: 2,549

    I will post some images tonight when I get back from work.
     
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    11. 15 Sep 2009 at 16:21
      #11
  11. shadowscotland

    Sgarrista

    Joined: 31 May 2006

    Posts: 7,550

    Location: West London

    Last edited: 15 Sep 2009
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    12. 15 Sep 2009 at 16:28
      #12
  12. Plec

    Capodecina

    Joined: 19 Apr 2003

    Posts: 13,456

    Thanks - it will be interesting to see one in situ.

    I'm hoping that the bracket will have enough height to sit over the caps (it appears to have been designed with that in mind.) But, i have a feeling that my NB may be too close for the orientation i would use.
     
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    13. 15 Sep 2009 at 18:48
      #13
  13. davetherave2

    Mobster

    Joined: 27 Mar 2003

    Posts: 2,549

    As promised some pics. Sorry for the poor quality pics will try and get some better ones done tomorrow:

    Main Case Image
    [​IMG]

    Overview of mobo with hs&f
    [​IMG]

    close up of heat pipe and cpu bracket (left)
    [​IMG]

    close up of heat pipe and cpu bracket (right)
    [​IMG]

    close up of heat pipe and cpu bracket (back)
    [​IMG]

    close up of memory and cpu bracket (front)
    [​IMG]

    When I said a tight squeeze I meant it there was very little room for moving this thing. At one stage I thought it was never going to fit.


    also a few screen shots of current temps.

    System at Idle
    [​IMG]

    System after running 2M super PI
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: 15 Sep 2009
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    14. 15 Sep 2009 at 19:03
      #14
  14. dr4g0nf1y

    Wise Guy

    Joined: 30 Jun 2009

    Posts: 1,028

    Location: Norwich

    I have the same board running with a 9900 and they just look so good with the copper blending from cooler to board
     
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    15. 15 Sep 2009 at 19:07
      #15
  15. psychas

    Sgarrista

    Joined: 12 Jun 2007

    Posts: 8,726

    Location: Ireland

    have two 9700 here they pretty good
     
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    16. 15 Sep 2009 at 20:10
      #16
  16. amkan13

    Gangster

    Joined: 15 Jul 2005

    Posts: 396

    Location: guildford, surrey

    i've been using zalmans since the socket A days, always been a quality bit of kit which performs well but is silent too.
     
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    17. 15 Sep 2009 at 20:17
      #17
  17. DIABLO

    Soldato

    Joined: 18 Oct 2002

    Posts: 5,480

    Location: N.Devon

    Can you not turn the case fan around so it is'nt pulling air away from the cpu fan?
     
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    18. 15 Sep 2009 at 20:38
      #18
  18. davetherave2

    Mobster

    Joined: 27 Mar 2003

    Posts: 2,549

    i'm still experimenting with the case fans at the moment as I plan to have another 2 xilence red wing fans at the top of the case (from the second psu placement) either pulling cold air in or drawing the hot air out.
     
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    19. 15 Sep 2009 at 23:27
      #19
  19. Plec

    Capodecina

    Joined: 19 Apr 2003

    Posts: 13,456

    Thanks, your pics have helped a lot - it's appreciated. On inspection, I don't think i would have any issues fitting that onto my MB.

    I'll order one and use it as a desk ornament until i can be bothered to take my rig apart again. I think i'll buy some wet & dry in readiness and lap both the CPU and HS as i would like to see at least a 10 degree drop in total.
     
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    20. 15 Sep 2009 at 23:36
      #20
  20. hyperst

    Mobster

    Joined: 16 Dec 2008

    Posts: 4,019

    Location: Lincolnshire

    would it not be better to turn the zalman round 180 and have it blowing the hot air towards the exhaust fan
    ________
    Kawasaki VN1500G
     
    Last edited: 20 Jan 2011
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