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Zalman CNPS7700-Cu Low Noise Heatsink Review
Zalman CNPS7700-Cu Low Noise Heatsink Review
  82%   
Abstract: The Zalman CNPS7700-Cu is an extension of the CNPS7000-Cu series, though it is about 30mm larger in total diameter, and weighs in at a hefty 918 grams.

 Manufacturer  Category  Published  Author 
Zalman   Cooling / Heatsinks   Oct 20, 2006   Max Page  

Home > Reviews > Page: Acoustic Comparisons and Base Surface Quality

Acoustic Samples: Listen to this Heatsink!

When powered up to full RPM the Zalman CNPS7700-Cu heatsink fan is moderately noisy, producing about 50 dBA. With the FanMate 2 dialing down fan speed to 1000RPM, the CNPS7700-Cu becomes essentially silent. To listen to this heatsink in operation, be sure to click on the little headphones icon below and play the sample MP3 files for the heatsink running with its fan at full speed, and lowest speed.

frostytech acoustic sampling chamber - full speed
standard waveform view of a 10 second recording. click on the headphones icon to listen to an mp3 recording of this heatsink in operation. the fan is rotating at 2000 rpm

frostytech acoustic sampling chamber - low speed
standard waveform view of a 10 second recording. click on the headphones icon to listen to an mp3 recording of this heatsink in operation. the fan is rotating at 1000 rpm

Sound Level Measurements: Which Heatsink is Quietest?

Listening to the actual noise a heatsink makes allows you to hear what pure numbers alone cannot get across. To further emphasize FrostyTech's reliance on cold hard facts when evaluating a heatsink, we also take noise level measurements with a sound level meter.

FrostyTech Heatsink Noise Level Measurements
Noise level Decibel measurements of each heatsinks' fan in operation are taken with the aid of a sound level meter and sound isolating enclosure. The values may be higher than the mfgr's listed specs, but are directly comparable to one another. Measurements are made on the dB (A) scale, lower values are best. Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here.
manufacturer: model no.: fan* speed: noise level (dba): cpu** platform

Arctic Cooling Silencer 64 Ultra TC low 27.6 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS7700-Cu low 35.1 dB Intel/AMD
Verax Helado 36.3 dB Intel/AMD
Gigabyte NeonCooler 8-BL 42.0 dB AMD
Coolermaster Hyper48 43.6 dB Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling Alpine64 43.9 dB AMD
Dynatron A22 44.5 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS7000B-CU high 44.9 dB Intel/AMD
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu high 45.2 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS7000-Cu high 45.2 dB AMD
Noctua NH-U12 45.4 dB Intel/AMD
Ajigo MF043-044 45.4 dB AMD
Spire SP741B3 45.6 dB AMD
Scythe Shogun high 45.9 dB Intel/AMD
Scythe Kama SCKK1000 47.5 dB AMD
Spire SP601B3 48.9 dB Intel/AMD
Thermaltake Silentboost K8 49.7 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS9500 LED high 50.3 dB Intel/AMD
Gigabyte 3D-Rocket 50.7 dB Intel/AMD
Zalman CNPS7700-Cu high 50.7 dB Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro 50.9 dB AMD
Evercool K802-715 51.5 dB AMD
OCZ Tempest 51.6 dB Intel/AMD
Scythe Samurai SCSM1000 high 51.6 dB AMD
Apack Zerotherm BTF80 51.9 dB Intel/AMD
Apack Zerotherm BTF90 52.1 dB Intel/AMD
nPowertek NPH K8-1 52.2 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 high 53.2 dB AMD
Jetart JAX801 53.5 dB AMD
Thermalright Ultra 120 53.7 dB Intel/AMD
nPowerTek NPH-Big K8 54.0 dB AMD
Coolermaster Hyper6 high 54.7 dB AMD
Verax Quattro 1 high 55.4 dB Intel/AMD
Arctic Cooling Silencer 64 Ultra TC high 55.5 dB AMD
Evercool Magic Cooler 55.5 dB AMD
Dynatron SK-V24 56.4 dB AMD
Zalman FS-C77 56.5 dB Intel/AMD
Gigabyte 3D Rocket-Pro high 56.7 dB Intel/AMD
Vantec Mach1 high 56.9 dB AMD
Zalman CNPS8000 high 57.4 dB Intel/AMD
EKL V8 high 57.5 dB Intel/AMD
Sunon Watrubo 57.5 dB Intel
Antazone AS-C1000 57.6 dB Intel/AMD
Noctua NH-U9 58.4 dB Intel/AMD
Alpha PAL-8150 58.9 dB AMD
Coolermaster Aquagate Mini high 59.2 dB Intel/AMD
AVC Z7U3301001 high 59.9 dB AMD
Ajigo MF064-074 high 60.3 dB AMD
Thermalfly F1-IACSHA high 60.4 dB Intel/AMD
Cooljag SFO-Q high 60.6 dB AMD
Cooljag SFO-H high 60.6 dB AMD
Gigabyte 3D Cooler-Pro high 62.5 dB Intel/AMD
Gigabyte 3D Cooler-Ultra high 63.0 dB Intel/AMD
AVC Z7U7414001 (stock AM2) high 63.0 dB AMD
Titan TTC-K8ATB/825/SC 63.1 dB AMD
CoolJag SFO-D(18SC) 64.0 dB AMD
Gigabyte GH-PCU23-VE high 65.6 dB Intel/AMD
ASUS Starice high 67.4 dB Intel/AMD
Thermaltake Polo 735 high 68.0 dB AMD
Thermaltake Venus 12 high 68.1 dB AMD
Gigabyte G-Power Pro high 71.9 dB Intel/AMD
noise level (dba)

*unless noted, for reference heatsinks with variable-speed fans only the 'high speed' (12V) fan noise measurement is included in the comparison sheet; more detailed results for the low fan speed (~5V) tests reside in each specific heatsink review. ** 'AMD' denotes compatibility with socket 754/939/940 & AM2 processors where applicable. 'Intel' denotes compatiblity with socket 775 platform.

When the 120mm fan moves at the full 2000RPM the Zalman CNPS7700-Cu heatsink produces a moderate 50.7 dBA noise. By utilizing the included Fanmate2 fan speed controller, fan speed can be adjusted to 1000RPM, and consequently we enjoy a very quiet 35.1 dBA operating level. At this much reduced speed the CNPS7700-Cu heatsink is essentially running silent.

Surface Finish and Flatness

Surface finish is an important factor that we all look for when holding a new heatsink. Flipping a cooler over to see how well the base has been machined is a quick way to judge the attention to detail that was put into making it. The following test involves the use of a Surface Roughness Comparator, which offers a concise cross section common machine surface finishes.

The Zalman CNPS7700-Cu heatsink has a surface roughness of approximately 8 microinches, which is considered very good. Next, let's see how this heatsink handles the heat compared to a selection of other heatsinks!

 Previous Page ° ° Next Page 

Table of Contents:

 1:  Zalman CNPS7700-Cu Low Noise Heatsink Review
 2:  360° View - Zalman CNPS7700-Cu Heatsink
 3: — Acoustic Comparisons and Base Surface Quality
 4:  Final Heatsink Temperature Comparisons

List all Zalman heat sinks that Frostytech tested?

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