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Zalman CNPS12X 120mm Triple Fan CPU Cooler

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#1 ·
Zalman CNPS12X 120mm Triple Fan CPU Cooler

Description:
Socket compatibility: LGA2011/1366/1156/1155/775
FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
Price: $99.99
 

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#2 ·
CNPS12X on X79 Chipset

review by exxon

I wanted a high-end cooler for my new high-end system but didn't want water cooling, so after looking around I decided on the ZALMAN CNPS12X CPU cooler for its performance and its looks.

Unpackaging the cooler was exciting, it seemed very clean without any smudges or fingerprints on it
(I like that) and felt like a high quality product (which it should for the asking price)
it's wieght is 1KG which doesn't sound like much but it feels heavy and Big. Nice.
The supplied Thermal Paste is ZM-STG2 which is of excellent quality (I used what was left over for my old 250GTS 2x6-pin GPU and it dropped the temps by nearly 15c)

The manual was straight forward, since I'm using it for my 3930K 2011 Socket, I didn't need to install a backplate and with G.Skill ARES memory modules, clearance was not a problem thus installation was fairly easy, just install the 4 nipples, then the 2 clip-supports then nuts, except for a small issue:
the entire cooler is held down only by a clip which goes on top of the cooler's block (which has a hole in the middle that corresponds to the small rod sticking out of the clip) and then you tighten a screw on each end into the support clips. Those two screws are the only thing holding the cooler in place, so make sure they are super tight or else it might move around.

Once installed and plugged in, the faint blue light looked very cool but a little too faint for my tastes.
There is a supplied resistor cable which limits the fans speed to around 850RPM (called quiet mode) but honestly, I didn't feel the need to use since the fans are super quiet in normal operation mode.
Cooling wise, very impressive is all I can say.
Default Speed:
Idle temps : mid 30's
Load temps: low 60's

Overclocked: (3930K overclocked to 4600MHz with 1.36v)
Idle temps: low 40's
Load temps: low to mid 70's (After 4 hours on Prime95)
Room temps were in the high 20's. (welcome to Saudi arabia)

To sum up, great cooler, very nice looks, a bit finnicky design but hey, that's the price of beauty.

ProsCons
Very good looking, very capable in cooling, ultra quite for 3x120mm fans, cool faint blue LED'sneeds low-profile RAM, blocks the 1st PCI-E slot in some boards, not very sturdy, LED's could be brighter

Ratings
Overall4
 
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