Introduction

A few months back I reviewed a pair of Zalman GPU coolers and I was very much impressed by their performance in both temperature cooling and low noise levels as well as a unique design that is not only great looking but also functional.

Now we have a great opportunity to review, what I think is... one of the best looking CPU heatsink and fan cooling units in the industry today, the "High Performance, Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler - CNPS9500 AM2".

But first let me re-iterate what Zalman are all about...

A thorough read-up on their website has drawn most of my attention to their statement:

"We were the world's first in reducing computer noise down to lower than 20dB, thus creating a more user-friendly computing environment. Now it is possible to use a computer without distracting noise and to form high fidelity audio system or home theatre system without ambient noise." - Zalman Website

So who is Zalman? Well, they are a Korean company established in 1999, that has offices in the USA and who also have their own R&D Centre, they produce many products other than just VGA cooling including:

• System Cases including their TNN (Totally No Noise) System
• Water Cooling Systems
• Coolers for CPU, GPU, chipsets and hard disks
• Quiet PSUs
• Quiet Case/Chassis Fans and Fan Controllers
• 
  
• 

 Its nice to know that there is a company dedicated to the cause of producing quiet products for the PC while still maintaining high performance and great aesthetics. Browsing through their website I have seen some amazingly great looking products and some "does it really work?" products. What really stood out was the the technology and technical design of the heatsinks which in-corporated many ultra slim fins in a a shape of a flower/bowl allowing effecient air flow between the fins.

So what so special about this Zalman ultra quiet CPU cooler? Well the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 is designed with ultra slim fins which make them lighter and cause less air resistance to air flow. It utilises heatpipe technology, using three heat pipes shaped in a figure of 8 which doubles the effect of drawing the heat from the copper contact block to the cooling fins. It is also designed to be shaped like a wind tunnel for maximum cooling performance.

The Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 is compatible with the obvious AM2 processors as well as socket 754 / 939 / 940 processors but there are also similar models for other sockets and processor fittings such as the CNPS9500-AT for LGA755 and also the CNPS9500-LED for s478 / LGA755 / 754 / 939 / 940. If are to purchase one of these, make sure you have the right one.

Can the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 cooler stand up to their claim of silent cooling without affecting cooling performance? Let us see how well it does