14 DAY TRIAL // Even though all Intel and AMD processors have their own stock coolers, makers of special cooling modules are wide awake and working, and Zalman has just begun shipping one of its high-performance models, one that is part of the CNPS9900 series.
The new device is known as the CNPS9900 MAX and, predictably, is intended for those users that enjoy extensively tweaking their systems.
Of course, Zalman also made a point of ensuring that its cooler is not found lacking in the area of noise generation either, leading to a sound output of between 18 dBA and 30 dBA.
The newcomer weighs 730 grams, measures 94 (L) x 131 (W) x 152 (H) mm and supports both Intel and AMD central processing units.
Heat is drawn out of the CPU and led into the two fin arrays by what Zalman calls composite heatpipes with greater than 1.5 times the heat transfer rate of normal heatpipes.
The fin arrays themselves have a so-called aerodynamic shape and the entire metal construction boasts Black-pearl nickel plating.
Whatever heat is led to the two fin arrays is dispersed by a FDB bearing fan with a diameter of 135mm whose rotary speed is of between 900 and 1700 RPM (rotations per minute).
Finally, the hardware maker threw in a blue or red LED, for aesthetic value, as well as the ZM-STG2 thermal paste, sold in a bundle with the cooler itself.
As for the exact CPUs that are supported by this product, the list includes all parts compatible with the Intel LGA 775, 1156 and 1366 sockets, as well as Socket 754, 939, 940, AM, AM2+ and AM3 chips from Advanced Micro Devices.
The newcomer has a recommended price tag of $79.90, which should allow it to make it into a fair number of overclocked systems that value both silence and raw performance.