Will I get a good return?

You'd be better off upgrading to the Xigmatek Dark Knight or the regular Xigmatek HDT-S1283. Low price for really nice coolers. The Zalman 9500/9700 were top of the line when they first came out, but now there are much better coolers for the money. As for the 9900, I haven't read anything good about it so I can't recommend it.

You will get a performance increase of course, but don't be set with just using Zalman coolers. The only thing I like about them is they are easy to install, but bolt throughs are much better mounting system.

Worse thing about these coolers is the fact you cannot change the fans without modding. The 9900 looks like it would be easier to change the fans out and get a better orientation though.

I would recommend getting a better cooler like the Xigmatek, Noctua, or TRUE.
Noctua: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608002
Xigmatek:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233024
TRUE: http://www.petrastechshop.com/thulhecpucos.html

If you get the regular Xiggy you need to buy a retention bracket.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...20CPU%20Cooler

I second the Xigmatek, don't upgrade that Zalman with a Zalman. The Xigmatek is much cheaper and blows the Zalman away.

the dark knight or my cooler in my sig perform well. read reviews on them. they can cool a quad at 3.4ghz and 1.35vcore with my cooler i just ordered. the dark knight will also do well too. good luck.

You know everyone has been saying all that about coolers but every review I've looked up online has the Zalmans rated at the top.

Can you please post links to legit reviews backing your claims? I would appreciate it. Thanks.

A lot of online reviewers (Tom's, FrostyTech, AnandTech, etc.) are at least partially skewed in one way or another. They all have different result for the same coolers. Look for some tests, reviews, and benchmarks from trusted users here on OCN or other overclocker sites.

Four posts in a row recommended the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for a reason, it's cheap and it works very well. I don't have number/graph reviews to show, only my personal experience. I had the 9500 myself and switched to the 1283, it was a night and day difference. I saw 15C drops in loads temps with the same TIM on both coolers.

If you want to upgrade to a higher-end Zalman that's fine. You will see lower temps with a 9700/9900 over the 9500. But for guaranteed great results, the 1283 is less than half the cost (after MIR) of a 9700 through the egg.

whatever cooler you decide to get, get AC5 with it too, good luck

sorry, i ment AS5

As5?

artic silver 5 http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

AS5 is good and highly rec on this site by many members.

Oh right, already got some.

In all honesty, you'll probably switch your CPU with a 32nm Nehalem before it dies so there's not really an investment to look at, unless you're trying for a higher clock. If you are, then I'd recommend nothing other that the Vendetta 2. Anything less, you'll regret not getting more for the long run, and anything more, you'll regret overspending.

edit: The Xigmatek I cooouuuuld recommend, but only if you find it for over 15$ cheaper than the cheapest V2 (the cooler, not the german rocket). Also stay away from Zalman's coolers. Tower-styles are where the performance is at.

i have already ordered the NV120 Premium. It beats the Vendetta 2 in every review i have read when it comes to overlcocking the Q6600 at high speeds and high volts. i think the vendetta and the NV120 are both good and either one of them will keep my quad cool.