Zalman CNPS7000-Cu CPU Cooler Review
By: Ernie Barela

Thank you for the opportunity to test the Zalman CNPS7000-Cu Pentium 4 heatsink on my office Dell. Overall, I am very satisfied with it. The installation was easy, just not what was as expected. I had two challenges to get through to fully install the heatsink.

My first challenge was mounting the Zalman heatsink with the supplied mounting hardware, which as it turns out was not necessary (a good cost saving thing if you know the heatsink is going into a Dell with a 478B socket). Dell has a clip-on setup for their heatsink with a duct and fan that slips over the processor and clips onto the case.

The Dell cooling system is a pretty good setup, except for the noise when the fan kicks on. The stock clips worked for the CNPS7000-Cu after slight modifications to them. I used my Black & Decker Wizard to grind the clips on the inner locking edge, so they would secure the CNPS7000-Cu's cross bar. Using the Wizard is over kill, since anyone could use a small flat file to narrow the clip's inner locking edge.

The other challenge I ran into was with the connector of the Speed Controller to the Dell motherboard, they did not mate up. I had to go to my friend's local Computer Service Store to find parts to make up a short adapter. This was fairly easy to do with the scrap supplies they had, and since they were friends of mine - it was free.

My friends liked what they saw (and didn't hear) with the Zalman CNPS7000-Cu Pentium 4 heatsink. They were impressed with its looks and surprised (as I was) to its weight. We are a little concerned about this weight, have you tested the long term effect on the motherboard and cpu connections? Does it stress the connections and mounts too much? The stock Dell cooling system is much lighter.

Overall, we are very impressed with your Zalman CNPS7000-Cu, and my friends thought the mounting hardware is great for most installations. They also thought that this was a better alternative to the liquid cooling system; less complicated and less hazardous, since there is no possibility of leakage within your system.

Since installing the Zalman CNPS7000-Cu I have noticed that conversations with my clients have been at a lower and more peaceful tone. I no longer have to compete with the cooling fan noise when the Dell's fan kicks on. I don't think the clients or anyone else in the office has noticed the difference, but I sure have. We will have to get three more for the other Dell PC's we have!

Keep up the great work and innovation. We look forward to more of your excellent products. Zalman is Frost'n my Dell, quietly!

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