Tuesday, August 18th 2026
Zalman Launches New CNPS Series Dual-Tower CPU Air Coolers
The CNPS CPU cooler series from Zalman spans more than a decade and recently the company has silently introduced four new dual-tower CPU air coolers, the CNPS15X BP and CNPS12X BP, each available in standard and ARGB variants. The CNPS15X BP cooler measures 126 x 135 x 159 mm and weighs 1,170 g. It uses six reverse direct-touch black-coated heat pipes, a 104-fin aluminium radiator with 9,997 cm² heat dissipation area, and is rated for 285 W TDP. The included dual 120 mm ZM-XF120 (ARGB) fans run between 600 and 2,000 RPM with up to 32.9 dB(A) noise level and 71.14 CFM. For RAM clearance, Zalman says it is 44 mm for standard memory modules and up to 52 mm for RAM modules with the cut-out fin design.
The CNPS12X BP is a smaller variant measuring 120 x 120 x 153 mm and 750 g. It uses six nickel-plated copper heat pipes with a direct-touch design and is rated for 260 W TDP. The two 120 mm fans spin between 800 and 1,800 RPM, reaching up to 74.62 CFM at 32.2 dB(A), slightly quieter and with higher airflow than the 15X model despite the lower TDP rating.Both Zalman CPU coolers include anti-vibration rubber dampers and an anti-bending system that secures the dual towers with a high-strength reinforcement bridge. The coolers are compatible with Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, and 115X, plus AMD AM5 and AM4 sockets. A sachet of ZALMAN ZM-STC11 (for CNPS15X) or ZM-STC8 (for CNPS12X) thermal compound is included with the coolers. No pricing or exact availability has been announced.
CNPS15X BPCNPS15X BP ARGBCNPS12X BPCNPS12X BP ARGBSpecifications:
Source:
Zalman
The CNPS12X BP is a smaller variant measuring 120 x 120 x 153 mm and 750 g. It uses six nickel-plated copper heat pipes with a direct-touch design and is rated for 260 W TDP. The two 120 mm fans spin between 800 and 1,800 RPM, reaching up to 74.62 CFM at 32.2 dB(A), slightly quieter and with higher airflow than the 15X model despite the lower TDP rating.Both Zalman CPU coolers include anti-vibration rubber dampers and an anti-bending system that secures the dual towers with a high-strength reinforcement bridge. The coolers are compatible with Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, and 115X, plus AMD AM5 and AM4 sockets. A sachet of ZALMAN ZM-STC11 (for CNPS15X) or ZM-STC8 (for CNPS12X) thermal compound is included with the coolers. No pricing or exact availability has been announced.
CNPS15X BPCNPS15X BP ARGBCNPS12X BPCNPS12X BP ARGBSpecifications:






















10 Comments on Zalman Launches New CNPS Series Dual-Tower CPU Air Coolers
Unfortunately. The world outside has changed and Thermalright is the final boss.
Its still gonna be a tough fight. Hopefully they have their distribution sorted out.
I still have my baby CNPS 9500 cooler, and my buddy has my old 8800GTX with Zalman cooler. Good times.
These look like all fan no fin stack. I doubt they can take the TDP they claim to. Only to find out is to test it I reckon.. I have nothing that will do that TDP anymore :D
Shame that they got in the middle of a politics kerfuffle.
If I could get that one with double the heat pipes and two 120mm fans I would go for it!