Zalman CNPS9900DF CPU Cooler Launched

[btarunr]

Zalman's newest high-end CPU air cooler, the CNPS9900DF, has been on our radar since May. It was launched in select markets earlier this week. The Computer Noise Prevention System (CNPS) model 9900 heatsink has been leading Zalman's product line for years now, with several variations being launched from time to time. The newest one, the CNPS9900DF, in which "DF" stands for dual-fan, builds on the concept by using two fans in push-pull configuration. The "push" fan is nested in the first copper fin stack, while the "pull" fan is located between the two fin stacks. The design is otherwise similar to every other 9900 series cooler.

The design of the CNPS9900DF consists of a nickel-plated copper base, from which four nickel-plated copper heat pipes pass, making a capital-omega (Ω) shape, along which nickel-plated copper fins are arranged, which appear to project radially. The surface area for heat dissipation is 6,800 cm². Measuring 140 (L) x 100 (W) x 154 (H) mm, the CNPS9900DF weighs in at 850 g. The 120 mm "push" fan spins at 1000 RPM, while the 140 mm "pull" fan spins at speeds between 900 to 1400 RPM. Both fans use fluid-dynamic bearings, and the total noise output of the cooler is said to stay within 27 dBA, according to Zalman. The Zalman CNPS9900DF is priced at an estimated US $89.90 a pop.



Source: Overclockers Ukraine

[HossHuge]

Could they have made the name any longer?

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by HossHuge

Could they have made the name any longer?

Yes, the long-form of that name is Computer Noise Prevention System model-9900 Dual Fan.

[Chaitanya]

[IvTK]

I counted 3 heat-pipes actually

[lastcalaveras]

this design was great when s939 was around but now it looks dated. Zalman needs something like a vapor chamber cooler.

[stupido]

I'm curious how it will perform...
This one does excellent job...

Pity that I didn't know about that one when I bought the Archon (which was 2/3 of its price at the moment)

[Ikaruga]

Fluid-dynamic bearings fans usually have about 20-30K hours (~3-4 years) of operational time near CPUs before the continuous high temp from the fins "ages" them and they start to have an increased noise output compared to the factory default levels (they all start to hum louder after a while).
The "problem" with this design arrives when you need to replace those fans, because they are more expensive and harder to find/replace than the framed ones.

[Svarog]

Funny how most CPU Cooler manufacturers always add a picture of how shiny their surface area is. While shiny doesn't mean it's flat.

I believe Noctua has the most flat surface area of all CPU Cooler manufacturers around. And their surface area isn't even polished.

[RejZoR]

I'd like to see more vapor chamber base coolers, especially on quad core processors where CPU surface isn't equally hot...

[Prima.Vera]

Any review or comparison tests of this yet?

[micropage7]

why they use 1 heat pipes when the other they place 2 heat pipes
and i dont like their fans, what if someday you need to replace them or you wanna pair it with another fans.

[mab1376]

wouldn't it be more efficient to put the 2 heatpipes on the intake? Isn't it going to have warmer air from the front heatpipe blowing on the back fins?

[iO]

Looks like there isn´t any space left for another heatpipe unless you want to stack them.

[de.das.dude]

Originally Posted by mab1376

wouldn't it be more efficient to put the 2 heatpipes on the intake? Isn't it going to have warmer air from the front heatpipe blowing on the back fins?

this is the best way. if two is in the front then back one would be inefficient.

[Hilux SSRG]

Originally Posted by micropage7

and i dont like their fans, what if someday you need to replace them or you wanna pair it with another fans.

Why would you need to replace them if the lifespan is 3-5 years? Most performance users replace entire motherboards/cpus in that timeframe regularly.

[hhumas]

i have used its nvidia edition .. will also give it a try

[iLLz]

Ugh, that is going to be a bitch to clean the dust out of it. I have the CNPS9700NT and since you cannot remove the fans, its very difficult to get between the fan blades and the copper fins to clear out the dust buildup.

Honestly I wish they had removable fans just to make cleaning all the more simple.

[de.das.dude]

Originally Posted by iLLz

Ugh, that is going to be a bitch to clean the dust out of it. I have the CNPS9700NT and since you cannot remove the fans, its very difficult to get between the fan blades and the copper fins to clear out the dust buildup.

Honestly I wish they had removable fans just to make cleaning all the more simple.

just wash them. and allow lots of time to dry.

i have washed graphic cards before, this is nothing

[nINJAkECIL]

Originally Posted by iLLz

Ugh, that is going to be a bitch to clean the dust out of it. I have the CNPS9700NT and since you cannot remove the fans, its very difficult to get between the fan blades and the copper fins to clear out the dust buildup.

Honestly I wish they had removable fans just to make cleaning all the more simple.

You remove the fan along with the stand that holds the fan.
I've used almost all kind of Zalman hsf before, and have no problem removing the fan.

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Price seems Linda high

[INSTG8R]

Originally Posted by lastcalaveras

this design was great when s939 was around but now it looks dated. Zalman needs something like a vapor chamber cooler.

LOL I think that was the last time I used one, actually now that I think about it I was using a Zalman on my s478 rig..(CNPS9500A LED)

[Widjaja]

It's nice to see Zalman making the cooler design which I have known them for again instead of pushing out OEM coolers and accessories, but will have to wait and see how it does in an actual test.