Zalman Launches High-End CPU Cooler CNPS9900DF

Like the name suggests, the CNPS9900DF CPU cooler is utilizing Zalman's successful Computer Noise Prevention System (CNPS). The newest variation resembles the basic fin design of existing 9900 models, while taking cooling performance to the next level with an outer 120mm fan and inner 140mm fan. Additionally, both fans have blue LEDs and will produce no more than 27 DBA together.

Among the unique features are heat dissipation fins are designed in different directions, which helps achieve high cooling performance, while keeping the noise level down. The heatpipes are manufactured from a composite material that increase "heat transfer rate by 50 percent compared to ordinary heatpipes." The total heat dissipation area is 6,800 cm².

With a size of 140 x 100 x 154 mm, the CNPS9900DF fits into mid-tower cases. The device weighs about 850 grams and the heatsink itself is constructed of nickel-plated copper. The manufacturer says that the device will cool CPUs up to a power of 300 watts.

Zalman said the cooler supports Intel sockets 2011, 1155/1156, 1366, 775, as well as AMD sockets FM1, AM3/AM3+, and AM2/AM2+.

The Zalman CNPS9900DF air cooler is has an expected price tag of around $89.99. For more information on whether the CNPS9900DF is compatible with your processor, visit the Zalman product page.

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Maxx_Power 5 years ago

Zalman was different and at least innovated back in the days when Athlon ruled the roost. Now, Zalman is really not competitive any more. With the likes of Thermalright, Noctua and Prolimatech ruling the roost in air cooling, and others (all with the identical coolers more or less) in closed loop liquid cooling, the rest of the market composed of the likes of Hyper 212, True Spirit, etc, Zalman really doesn't fit anywhere...

Other Comments

ikyung 5 years ago

I've always heard Zalmans were pretty good coolers, but haven't used one yet. Would like to see the benchmarks for these, and if they are good for the price, I would definitely get one.
xkm1948 5 years ago

Not very impressed with zalman, Used to have a cnps9700 on my old rig with q6600. It cant even keep it cool under stock speed. They do look pretty though.
aznguy0028 5 years ago

xkm1948Not very impressed with zalman, Used to have a cnps9700 on my old rig with q6600. It cant even keep it cool under stock speed. They do look pretty though.

Yea I agree for the most part. I have the CNPS 9700 too, and now the CNPS 11x. They are decent coolers but definitely not the best temperature wise. It's enough to keep your cpu at a good temp with a decent overclock but they are pricey. If you want the best performance for the price range, there are definitely better options out there. For me, it was the looks that made me want them but I don't think my next build will be using a Zalman, most likely a mini-itx build with a closed loop water cooler.
Maxx_Power 5 years ago

Zalman was different and at least innovated back in the days when Athlon ruled the roost. Now, Zalman is really not competitive any more. With the likes of Thermalright, Noctua and Prolimatech ruling the roost in air cooling, and others (all with the identical coolers more or less) in closed loop liquid cooling, the rest of the market composed of the likes of Hyper 212, True Spirit, etc, Zalman really doesn't fit anywhere...
jerm1027 5 years ago

ikyungI've always heard Zalmans were pretty good coolers, but haven't used one yet. Would like to see the benchmarks for these, and if they are good for the price, I would definitely get one.

I hope they changed the mounting system. Getting on the 1155 was a pain for me. Easy to install on my old AMD build though. Ended up going Xigmatek Dark Knight on my Intel rig, and it was downgrade, but easier to install.

xkm1948Not very impressed with zalman, Used to have a cnps9700 on my old rig with q6600. It cant even keep it cool under stock speed. They do look pretty though.

That's just you being incompetent. Had a CNPS9900A-LED. Kept my Athlon II x4 630 really cool. In fact, after a 24-hour Prime95 torture test, my CPU never went above 35c on a 3.2GHz OC.
azraa 5 years ago

I agree with maxx_power.

Besides, I just read a review indicating that even when it does perform relatively well, it is extremely noisy. Those fans push a lot of air, which is good, but somehow it is as loud as the Tt Frio, and performs under it.
azraa 5 years ago

azraaI agree with maxx_power.Besides, I just read a review indicating that even when it does perform relatively well, it is extremely noisy. Those fans push a lot of air, which is good, but somehow it is as loud as the Tt Frio, and performs under it.

Whoops, my bad, I read a review of the 9900 max, but its almost the same thing, with dual fans.
kyuuketsuki 5 years ago

Zalman has always worked great for me; have a Zalman on my i5-2500k @ 4.4GHz. Keeps it cool and I hear the case fans long before I hear the Zalman's fans.

Have to admit that my interest is wandering towards closed-loop liquid cooling setups for future rigs though.
amuffin 5 years ago

They are pretty quiet
Anonymous 5 years ago

I have a zalman 9700 led for years, but i prefer having my Megahalems with no fans.
buzznut 5 years ago

Better be awesome for $90. That's approaching a Corsair H100 which would certainly be better. I think I'd even rather have the Zalman liquid cooler, which is $80 at newegg right now. I see it daily for $90 though.
magikherbs 5 years ago

Another beaut by Zalman.

My CPU and GPU keep asking me for a sweater and its all thier fault !

pEACe
master_chen 5 years ago

Absolute crap.

Zalman only did ONE good CPU Cooler so far, and that is CNPS12X. Everything else they make is utter trash.
nukemaster 5 years ago

Looks good. I honestly never had issues with any Zalman coolers.
The biggest issue I had was that the Freezer 7 performed nearly the same as the 9500AT, but the 9500 AT was actually very good at keeping heat down.

My cnps10x flex with NF-P12 fan also works very well

I do agree with some others on here. With coolers like the 212+ for such low prices and being only a few degrees hotter, It may be hard to sell high end coolers.

My reason for Air vs Water(self contained) is simple. If water fails. things heat rather quick if air fails it is not even a big deal. it takes a while and with larger coolers, you can even run passive
TeKEffect 5 years ago

KyuuketsukiZalman has always worked great for me; have a Zalman on my i5-2500k @ 4.4GHz. Keeps it cool and I hear the case fans long before I hear the Zalman's fans.Have to admit that my interest is wandering towards closed-loop liquid cooling setups for future rigs though.

I got the H80 and love it. Real quiet and works great. Plus you never have to worry about clearance issues with RAM and what not because the bulk is moved away from the motherboard
azraa 5 years ago

Despite all the hating, the fans these guys equip are just phenomenal.
The blade design they use with this cooler pushes a crapload of air into the rad, but it seems that the circular shape is not really up to the challenge of that much static pressure (for what i suppose, its because quite some pressure is lost through the radial edge)
jimmysmitty 5 years ago

ikyungI've always heard Zalmans were pretty good coolers, but haven't used one yet. Would like to see the benchmarks for these, and if they are good for the price, I would definitely get one.

Some of the best coolers are made by thewm in my opinion. I have had the CNPS9500 (P4) CNPS9700 (Q6600) and CNPS 9900MAX (2500K) and all work great for cooling.

xkm1948Not very impressed with zalman, Used to have a cnps9700 on my old rig with q6600. It cant even keep it cool under stock speed. They do look pretty though.

You must be doing sdomething wrong then. I had a CNPS9700 on my Q6600 G0 running at 3GHz and under full load never broke 55c. My 2500K sits at 55c under full load as well wiht my CNPS9900MAX running at 4.5GHz. Zalman makes some of the best air coolers out there.

There are better but I also like Zalman for their unique style. Works great with my case and seup. If anything though their worst part is the mounting. But the 12X does have a better mounting system, maybe this one will too.
tivatar 5 years ago

It seems like Tom's should do another roundup for all these new push-pullers that have been coming to market lately. They all seem to make radical claims with arbitrary percentages, so why not get some hard numbers?
face-plants 5 years ago

Even if they're not at the top of the performance list anymore, I have never had a problem with any of the Zalman coolers I've used over the years (at least 2 dozen of them with around 10 in my own machines over the years). The CNPS series are what I always use and this newest one seems to be just a small improvement over its predecessor. It's a good design which is probably why it hasn't changed since the first ones I bought for my pentium 4 boxes way back when. Never had any fans go bad or start to sound like their bearings are grinding to pieces.
madjimms 5 years ago

No heatpipes that DIRECTLY contact the IHS? What about a shroud to keep the air from making a big cone so the air goes where you WANT it to go? This looks like the 5+ year old coolers they've had the whole time...

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