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Zalman CNPS9500-AM2 Socket AM2 Low Noise Heatsink Review
Zalman CNPS9500-AM2 Socket AM2 Low Noise Heatsink Review
  94%   
Abstract: The CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink is identical in materials and size to previous CNPS9500-series heatsinks, but since this cooler is being launched in conjunction with the nVidia nForce 500-series chipset and socket AM2 Athlon64, it has received a few special touches.

 Manufacturer  Category  Published  Author 
Zalman   Cooling / Heatsinks   May 23, 2006   Max Page  

The Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink is compatible with all current AMD Athlon64 processors, and in particular the just introduced AMD 940-pin AM2 processor and socket AM2 heatsink retention frame. As this is the very first socket AM2 (aka socket M2) heatsink to enter the FrostyTech test labs, we'll be touching upon the critical differences between socket AM2 and socket 754/939/940 heatsinks in just a moment.

Also see Frosty's Socket 939-to-AM2 heatsink adaptor for coolers that attach to the 939's two screw posts.
The CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink is identical in materials and size to previous CNPS9500-series heatsinks, but since this cooler is being launched in conjunction with the nVidia nForce 500-series chipset, it has received a few special touches. The Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 is a full copper heatsink, except its surface has been brightly chrome plated to give it that nuclear winter, Terminator 2 android feel. The heatsinks' 92mm fan is internally illuminated with a pair of nVidia green LEDs, which create a very spectacular light effect when the clear frosted fan blades spin at full speed inside a darkened case.

The heatsink is voluminous in size and weighs about 530grams, but it's designed to operate quietly and coolly under low noise, low fan-speed conditions. The Zalman FanMate2 fan speed controller is used to tweak the fan from an audible 2600RPM, right through to the virtually silent fan speed of 1350RPM.

Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 Heatsink
heatsink specsheet
manufacturer: zalman
model no.: cnps9500 am2
materials: chrome plated copper base, heatpipes and fins.
fan mfg: zalman zm7gl
fan spec: 1350-2600rpm, 12v, 0.35a
fan dim: 25x92x92mm
heatsink & fan dim: 112x126x85mm
weight: 530 grams
includes: fanmate 2 and mounting clip, thermal compound

Compatible with Sockets: 754/939/940/AM2
Est. Pricing: $50USD ($58CDN)

The Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink is framed around three copper heatpipes bent into a figure-eight form, with about a hundred 0.2mm copper fins attached at regular intervals to entirely surround the spinning fan. As you'll see momentarily in the thermal and acoustic test results, the CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink is a very effective thermal solution at low fan speeds. In fact, it offers just slightly cooler running temps than the stock socket AM2 heatsink, and with significantly lower noise output.

One Clip, Four K8 Processor Sockets

The complex shape of the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 heatsink makes the proposition of installing it onto an AMD socket AM2 processor about as endearing as mid-terms... but the process is remarkably easy.

The heatsink comes with a single prong clip split into two parts. This steel clip will work with socket 754/939/940 and AM2 Athlon64 motherboards.

The method of installation will depend on how the AM2 CPU socket is oriented on the motherboard, as the manufacturer recommends that the exhaust from the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 always be blowing towards the rear of the chassis.

We should also mention the following restrictions that may prevent the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 from installing correctly:

1.) No interfering components within 56mm of the center of the CPU up or down, and none within 45mm of the center of the CPU to the front or rear.
2.) There must be at least 135mm space above the CPU socket in the chassis for the CNPS9500 AM2 to fit.

A few quick measurements will ensure that the power supply, videocard, and any optical disk drives in your computer case are far enough away from the CPU socket.

Given the orientation, the steel clip is either threaded perpendicularly in between the copper heatpipes, or parallel to them through the wide gap. It can be a bit tricky to thread the clip through the heatpipes, so pay close attention to the illustrations in the manual.

Next, we'll examine the new AMD Athlon64 socket AM2 heatsink retention frame (pictured above), and discuss which kinds of socket 754/939/940 heatsinks have been made obsolete by its four-post screw design, and which types of K8 heatsinks will remain compatible with AM2. Get ready to toss out that high performance $60 copper behemoth...

° Next Page 

Table of Contents:

 1: — Zalman CNPS9500-AM2 Socket AM2 Low Noise Heatsink Review
 2:  AMD Athlon64 Socket AM2 Heatsink Considerations
 3:  360° View - Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 Low Noise Heatsink
 4:  Acoustic Comparisons and Base Surface Quality
 5:  Final Heatsink Temperature Comparisons

List all Zalman heat sinks that Frostytech tested?

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