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Heatsink Comparison Tables
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CPU Coolers (ref. 120mm fan): °C Rise Comparison
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Heatsink
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Fan voltage / SPL @1m*
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12V
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9V
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7V
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15~17 dBA
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12~13 dBA
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11~12 dBA
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Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme Rev.C
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38
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40
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43
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Thermalright Venomous X
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38
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41
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43
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Prolimatech Megahalems
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38
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41
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44
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Noctua NH-U12P
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39
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42
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44
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Scythe Mugen-2
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39
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42
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45
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Cogage TRUE Spirit 1366
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40
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42
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45
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Prolimatech Armageddon
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40
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42
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46
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Zalman CNPS10X Quiet
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40
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43
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46
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Noctua NH-C14
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39
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42
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48
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Scythe Yasya
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41
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43
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47
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Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme
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40
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43
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48
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Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
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41
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44
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48
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Thermalright Archon SB-E
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42
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43
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49
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Thermalright Ultra-120
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42
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45
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49
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Titan Fenrir
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43
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46
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50
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Scythe Ninja 3
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44
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47
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49
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Enermax ETS-T40
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44
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46
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50
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Noctua NH-C12P
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43
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47
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51
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Zalman CNPS10X Extreme
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43
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47
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53
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Swiftech Polaris 120
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46
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49
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54
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GELID GX-7 Rev.2
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47
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50
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52
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Zalman CNPS10X Flex
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45
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50
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54
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be quiet! Dark Rock 2
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48
|
50
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52
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Cooler Master V8
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46
|
50
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54
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GELID Tranquillo Rev.2
|
48
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50
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53
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Reeven Kelveros
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47
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51
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55
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Scythe Grand Kama Cross
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45
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52
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57
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Zalman CNPS9900DF
(stock fans)
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50
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53
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N/A
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17 dBA
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14 dBA
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Antec Kühler H20 620
(pump at 7V, almost inaudible)
|
52
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52
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53
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Arctic Cooling Freezer Xtreme Rev.2
|
49
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52
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58
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Scythe Kabuto
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51
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53
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60
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| *Note: there are minor differences in measured SPL due to the variety of fan orientations and mounting methods offered by the compared coolers. |
Though it has two fans, given its size, we decided not to throw the CNPS9900DF
against top-tier dual fan towers like the recently reviewed Phanteks
PH-TC14PE. Instead, we mercifully placed in our single 120 mm fan cooler
chart. Even with this lesser field of competition, it came out near the bottom
at similar noise levels to heatsinks paired with our reference Nexus 120 mm
fan.
MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR's
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We've listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.
These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds
in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!
The recording starts with 5~10 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume
setting again.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Zalman's signature flower design has gone through a lengthy period of evolution,
upwards of a decade. Compared to its immediate predecessor, the
CNPS9900 MAX, the main difference is that the CNPS9900DF is larger
and armed with an extra fan. We weren't impressed with the MAX, and unfortunately,
in the the DF, none of the issues we pointed out in the earlier model were addressed.
Our samples of the CNPS9900 MAX and LED models both had flat bases. The 9900DF
sample, in comparison, has a slightly concave surface that doesn't make enough
contact with our CPU heatspreader. Concavity in a HS base is an elementary no-no.
This critical error is exacerbated by the lack of pressure supplied by the mounting
system. We did not like it on the MAX, finding it both insufficient and inconvenient,.
This time around, we had severe, hair-pulling difficulty with it. Upon reflection,
it might be one of the worst mounting systems ever devised. The mounting clips
are thin and bend easily, and the use of tiny hex screws that are so difficult
to reach boggles the mind.
The DF is larger than the MAX with more surface area to take advantage of the
added airflow from the second fan but the two fans are different, in size, speed,
and acoustic character — they don't even use the same connectors! The fans
sound different enough that they don't drown out each others' unpleasant characteristics.
Instead they mix together into a muddy symphony of undesirable tones. Some reprieve
can be found at very low fan speeds but at the sacrifice of any appreciable
cooling performance. Being frameless, propped up precariously on two thin metal
legs with no support on the sides doesn't help the fans at all. (In Zalman's
defense it might have seemed like a good idea, as it is the same engineering
principle used successfully for decades by real estate agencies and political
campaigns to put up lawn signs.)
We can understand Zalman's reluctance to abandon the core radial fin design,
and admittedly, they have one of the most attractive lines of heatsinks ever
produced. But the execution has to be so much better than shown by our 9900DF
sample for any chance of competitive success. Each successive flower heatsink
version has used iterative improvements — more surface area, nickel-plating,
a larger fan, a second fan — to improve performance, but without a sensible
execution ensuring all the basic details are well covered, there's no way this
historic series can compete. For US$90 MSRP, a CPU heatsink must provide
top performance... and if our sample is representatively, the 9900DF doesn't
even get close.
Our thanks to Zalman
for the CNPS9900DF CPU cooler sample.
* * *
SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
SilverStone Heligon HE02: Monster Fanless CPU Cooler
Prolimatech Panther CPU Cooler
Phanteks PH-TC14PE Dual Fan CPU Heatsink
GELID GX-7 & Tranquillo Rev.2 CPU Coolers
be quiet! Dark Rock 2 Tower Heatsink
Enermax ETS-T40: Direct-Touch Heatpipe Cooler
* * *
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