Presentation
The first Zalman product tested was the CNPS-7000AlCu. It is an original radiator as the base is actually made up by tightening the blades together. The blades are then spread out to obtain a round cooler. In order to have a flat base, it is subjected to surfacing. So we cannot speak here of a copper base and aluminium blade coolers, since part of the blades (as well as the base, of course,) is made of aluminium and the other part of copper.
Ventilation is ensured by a 92 mm fan embedded in the cooler. The CNPS7000-AlCu isn’t initially compatible with the T socket. However, thanks to a set sold separately, it will be possible for the users who migrated from a socket 478 platform to an LGA775 platform to keep the same cooler. It is also adaptable to socket A and others K8 platforms. In addition to all the parts required for the radiator installation, Zalman also provides some thermal paste and a Fanmate for voltage adjustment from 5 to 12V.
Installation
As explained above, the socket T installation requires an additional set of spare parts. This set includes two metal plates and a set of screws, nuts and washers. The first plate needs to be placed at the back of the motherboard to strengthen it, and the second one on top for the radiator support. Both are tightened thanks to the screws and nuts. The CNPS7000-AlCu is then installed by means of the two tongues.
Measures and results
The table below includes measurements made with the CNPS7000-AlCu from 5 to 12V:
Appraisal
This is hardly surprising: it is the least efficient of the four Zalman tested here. Aluminium is at the origin of the weakness of its thermal conductivity, since there is not much copper in contact with the Pentium 4. Also, like its three other brothers, since it isn’t very sensitive to ventilation, increasing the fan Voltage from 7 to 12V only increases the noise level. It is possible to reduce the voltage to reduce the noise level (quite important around 12 V, to 7-8 V.
