Performance
Cooling
efficiency
The testing results of the cooling
efficiency are shown in the diagram and table below:
Comparative
results diagram
Comparative
results table
As we can see, Zalman CNPS9900DF looks
modest compared with Thermalright Spirit 140, which which costs only half as
much. At maximum fan speed, TRU Spirit 140 is 3oC ahead, but most
importantly, Zalman CNPS9900DF was just 1oC ahead of Thermalright
cooler, even if the fan speed of the latter was reduced to 810 RPM. While we
gradually lowered the fan speed of Zalman CNPS9900DF to about 200 RPM for 135
mm fan and 100 RPM for 120 mm fan, the cooling efficiency decreased steadily
until we hit 1,000/800 RPM. However, at the next increment the CPU's maximum
temperature raised 5oC, and at the next one – by another 6°C and
reaches the critical value. In other words, the cooling effect of the Zalman
CNPS9900DF proved highly dependent on the fan speed at 1,000-800/800-650 RPM,
while at higher speeds the fan's performance did not significantly increase.
I want to remind you that we conducted the
performance testing with the CPU overclocked to 4.25 GHz, and Vcore is 1.35V
instead of the traditional way is 4.375 GHz and 1.38 V. We are forced to
deflect over the standard level of overclocking, because Zalman CNPS9900DF can
not work with the 6-core overclocking processor at maximum fan speed. We have
tried many times and checked at different positions of the CPU cooler, but
nothing happens at all:
Complete
picture the testing process
And because Zalman CNPS9900DF failed to
overcome the challenge "minimum qualification requirements" in the
synthetic chart, we will not put it on. So let’s check out the noise level.
Sound
efficiency
We measure the noise level of the two
tested coolers with full fan speed, as depicted on the chart during the testing
session. And here is the result:
Noise
level measurement
Most Zalman CNPS9900DF's noise generated
from 135 mm fan. The smaller fan did not generate any sound that can be heard.
This cooling device can only be assessed at a modest level, when considering
aspects of noise reduction, even is outstripped by Thermalright Spirit 140,
however the rattling of the 135 mm fan motor looks very different particularly
in the limit from 600 to 1,050 RPM. The bearings and the airflows generated
from fans did not make Zalman CNPS9900DF acoustically uncomfortable in any way,
although the graph shows the readings at 940 and 740 RPM fall into acoustically
comfortable and quiet range, respectively. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter,
because the rattling motor diminishes it all. It could be the peculiarity of
our specific cooler sample, though.
Conclusion
Zalman CNPS9900DF has a very good-looking,
is a perfect product for the holidays and pleasing your guests with a unique
shape and beautiful lines. The indisputable advantages is its wide popularity,
and elegant firmly packaging, high-quality thermal paste.
If it targeted at overclockers and silent
cooling fan operation, the Zalman CNPS9900DF is a compelling option, but a bit
pricey. Its efficiency is modest and does not seem to want to reveal to you the
whole overclocking capabilities of the processor. Moreover, the difficult
installation process is hard to satisfy users, especially for new ones. Even I
myself was very hard to get it installed.
So, although I admit that Zalman CNPS9900DF
will be a great element to add to the computer with empty shells, but maybe
it's not good to bear with processors that was overclocked in conditions of
strict noise limits. But, as always, it is at your discretion whether these
advantages are more important than other concerns.
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Technical
standards and price
·
Product name: CPU Zalman CNPS9900DF
·
Dimensions (LxWxH), mm: 154x140x110
(135+120mm)
·
Weight, g: 850
·
Materials and design: nickel-plated dual-array
radial heatsink of alluminium fins on three copper heatpipes 6 mm in diameter
that go through the heatsink base.
·
Thermal fin thickness, mm: 0.25
·
Distance between thermal fins, mm: 1.0-2.5
·
calculated area of heat dissipation 6.800
·
Fan type and module: Zalman ZP13525BLL; Zalman
ZP1225BSL
·
Fan speed, RPM: 900-1400 (±10%); 1000 (±10%)
·
Noise level, dBA: 19-27 (±10%)
·
Nominal/boot voltage, V: 12/6
·
General CURRENTS, A: 0.28/0.20
·
Energy consumption, W: 3.36/2.40
·
CPU socket compability: LGA
775/1156(5)/1336/2011, Socket AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2
·
Other parameters 135mm Fan controlled by PWM,
blue LED at the central fan, Zalma ZM-STG2(4.1W/m*K) thermal paste
·
Price: $79.90
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