Zalman 9700LED CPU Cooler

Rob Williams · 02-04-2007, 09:41 PM

If you love large air CPU coolers, then you will drool over the 9700LED. It's equipped with a 110mm fan, while it's older brother, the 9500LED, has only 92mm. Included extras here include better thermal paste and a fan controller. Does this CPU coolers larger stature make it a winner in our temperature testing?

You can read the full review here and discuss it in this thread when done!

JacKz5o · 02-05-2007, 12:10 AM

Another great review Rob!

Too bad you didn't get the sexier CNPS9700NT

Also, have you tried using it without the included fan controller? I heard theres some messed up resisters in there and the "high speed" setting actually has 10-15% less RPM than having the fan be plugged in directly without the controller.

Rory Buszka · 02-05-2007, 08:01 AM

The fan controller is actually a voltage regulator whose output is varied by a voltage divider circuit off the output of the regulator. Its maximum output is about 10.5 volts in this configuration. Nothing about the design is 'messed up' -- it's just a limitation of the voltage regulator component in that particular circuit design. Zalman originally got its start producing components for the quiet-computing market, so that's why they include the fan controller. With all that extra heatsink area and fan diameter, the fan can run at a very low speed and still support a modest overclock.

Rob Williams · 02-05-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacKz5o

Also, have you tried using it without the included fan controller? I heard theres some messed up resisters in there and the "high speed" setting actually has 10-15% less RPM than having the fan be plugged in directly without the controller.

Yes I did... but I didn't notice anything like that happening. It's not in the PC anymore (this was actually all done early last month) but I will be hooking it up again later this week to see if anything like that happens.

03-14-2007, 04:35 AM

Does this cooler has any incompatibility list on the mobo's like Gigabyte or MSI? Cos i've search through Zalman website and it's say that it compatibile for all Socket 775 and AMD platform.

My mobo is GIGABYTE K8N SLi and MSI Neo 2 Platinum.

03-19-2007, 01:22 AM

It's a sweet cooler. It's virtue of blowing right out the rear case fan has lowered temperatures everywhere. I've compared the thermal nail polish to AS5, and their performance is TIED. It's almost like having a water block, but not quite that good.

I got it for $45 at CompUSA. Sale, baby, sale.

05-25-2007, 11:46 AM

hi Rob! im Miguel and live in Portugal!
im thinking in purchasing one of these for my cpu ( that im still going to buy )

Rob tell me something will there be any problem or any damage on the mobo due to it's weight??

i ask this cause a friend of my brother practically bended his mobo due to the high weight of the cooler

do i have to concern my self about this?? i think it is a great cooler cause i want my cpu not no have heat problems at all

Merlin · 05-25-2007, 01:07 PM

I just installed the 9700 LED on my AM2 X2 6000+
It really didn't seem that heavy to cause any mobo strain.

Mounted really easy also.
I use the fan control mounted on the back with an existing screw
My temps seem high at 101*F with the Asus Probe II
The other AMD CPU runs at 68*F depending on room temp ( air cooled also with stock ( 939 CPU ) cooler

Deckard

Rob Williams · 05-25-2007, 01:14 PM

As long as your board is mounted properly, it shouldn't be a problem. The 9700LED is somewhat light really, it's just huge.

05-26-2007, 01:44 PM

ok thanks for the feedback!

i was a bit doubtfull due to its weight but about 770grs seems not to heavy.. but who knows right? ^^

im buying an ASUS P5N32 - SLI so the mobo should handle the weight with no problem!

thanks again!!

06-18-2007, 04:50 AM

PLEASE COULD U TEEL ME HOW DO U SUCCEED IN MOUNTONG THE ZALMAN ON AM2.I DIDN4T FIND WHERE ATTACH THE BRACKET ON MY msi k9n4 ultra.
plrase coulfd u show how to do that.
thanks

04-04-2008, 05:03 AM

I've had a tough time installing this cooler on my new motherboard (EVGA nForce 780i).

To start with, the back support brack is a bear to get screwed in correctly. It took me over an hour to get the correct combination of screw tensions to allow all the mounting holes to line up well enough to screw the thing together.

After that, the bracket that holds the cooler itself seems far to curved to safely screw into place without putting undue pressure on the CPU.

Is there a guide to installing these?

Merlin · 04-04-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've had a tough time installing this cooler on my new motherboard (EVGA nForce 780i).

To start with, the back support brack is a bear to get screwed in correctly. It took me over an hour to get the correct combination of screw tensions to allow all the mounting holes to line up well enough to screw the thing together.

After that, the bracket that holds the cooler itself seems far to curved to safely screw into place without putting undue pressure on the CPU.

Is there a guide to installing these?

Not much to it, just start the first scew a little, then attatch the 2nd one.

Merlin

02-04-2007, 09:41 PM	#1
Rob Williams Editor in Chief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 8,921	Zalman 9700LED CPU Cooler If you love large air CPU coolers, then you will drool over the 9700LED. It's equipped with a 110mm fan, while it's older brother, the 9500LED, has only 92mm. Included extras here include better thermal paste and a fan controller. Does this CPU coolers larger stature make it a winner in our temperature testing? You can read the full review here and discuss it in this thread when done! __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 3.20GHz, ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, OCZ 8GB PC2-6400, EVGA GTX 285 1024MB Seagate 500GB, 750GB & 1TB, Pioneer 22x ODD, Corsair 1000HX, Thermalright Ultra-120, CM Storm Sniper Dell 2408WFP 24", ASUS Xonar Essence STX, Ultrasone PRO 750, Gentoo Linux (KDE 4.3.2, 2.6.31 Kernel) "Take care to get what you like, or you will be forced to like what you get!" - H.P. Baxxter Profiles: Last.fm \| Xbox Live \| Steam

02-05-2007, 12:10 AM	#2
JacKz5o E.M.I. Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 73	Another great review Rob! Too bad you didn't get the sexier CNPS9700NT Also, have you tried using it without the included fan controller? I heard theres some messed up resisters in there and the "high speed" setting actually has 10-15% less RPM than having the fan be plugged in directly without the controller. __________________ Current Rig: Toledo 3800 X2 @ 2.52GHz \| DFI LanParty Ultra-D \| 1GB OCZ EL \| XFX 6800GS \| WDC 250GB SATAII \| Antec TruePowerII 550W.

02-05-2007, 08:01 AM	#3
Rory Buszka Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 440	The fan controller is actually a voltage regulator whose output is varied by a voltage divider circuit off the output of the regulator. Its maximum output is about 10.5 volts in this configuration. Nothing about the design is 'messed up' -- it's just a limitation of the voltage regulator component in that particular circuit design. Zalman originally got its start producing components for the quiet-computing market, so that's why they include the fan controller. With all that extra heatsink area and fan diameter, the fan can run at a very low speed and still support a modest overclock. __________________ Rory Buszka Last edited by Rory Buszka; 02-05-2007 at 12:09 PM.

03-14-2007, 04:35 AM	#5
Unregistered Guest Poster Posts: n/a	Doubt of installation for this cooler! Does this cooler has any incompatibility list on the mobo's like Gigabyte or MSI? Cos i've search through Zalman website and it's say that it compatibile for all Socket 775 and AMD platform. My mobo is GIGABYTE K8N SLi and MSI Neo 2 Platinum.

05-25-2007, 11:46 AM	#7
OblivioN_ Guest Poster Posts: n/a	the Forgotten.. hi Rob! im Miguel and live in Portugal! im thinking in purchasing one of these for my cpu ( that im still going to buy ) Rob tell me something will there be any problem or any damage on the mobo due to it's weight?? i ask this cause a friend of my brother practically bended his mobo due to the high weight of the cooler do i have to concern my self about this?? i think it is a great cooler cause i want my cpu not no have heat problems at all

03-19-2007, 01:22 AM	#6
Beach Bum Guest Poster Posts: n/a	It's a sweet cooler. It's virtue of blowing right out the rear case fan has lowered temperatures everywhere. I've compared the thermal nail polish to AS5, and their performance is TIED. It's almost like having a water block, but not quite that good. I got it for $45 at CompUSA. Sale, baby, sale.

05-25-2007, 01:07 PM	#8
Merlin The Tech Wizard Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Woodstock,Ga Posts: 1,847	Weight? I just installed the 9700 LED on my AM2 X2 6000+ It really didn't seem that heavy to cause any mobo strain. Mounted really easy also. I use the fan control mounted on the back with an existing screw My temps seem high at 101F with the Asus Probe II The other AMD CPU runs at 68F depending on room temp ( air cooled also with stock ( 939 CPU ) cooler Deckard Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Merlin; 05-25-2007 at 01:13 PM.

05-25-2007, 01:14 PM	#9
Rob Williams Editor in Chief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 8,921	As long as your board is mounted properly, it shouldn't be a problem. The 9700LED is somewhat light really, it's just huge. __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 3.20GHz, ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, OCZ 8GB PC2-6400, EVGA GTX 285 1024MB Seagate 500GB, 750GB & 1TB, Pioneer 22x ODD, Corsair 1000HX, Thermalright Ultra-120, CM Storm Sniper Dell 2408WFP 24", ASUS Xonar Essence STX, Ultrasone PRO 750, Gentoo Linux (KDE 4.3.2, 2.6.31 Kernel) "Take care to get what you like, or you will be forced to like what you get!" - H.P. Baxxter Profiles: Last.fm \| Xbox Live \| Steam

05-26-2007, 01:44 PM	#10
OblivioN_ Guest Poster Posts: n/a	Forgotten.. ok thanks for the feedback! i was a bit doubtfull due to its weight but about 770grs seems not to heavy.. but who knows right? ^^ im buying an ASUS P5N32 - SLI so the mobo should handle the weight with no problem! thanks again!!

06-18-2007, 04:50 AM	#11
addictedpc Guest Poster Posts: n/a	CNPS 9500LED ON SOCKET AM2 ? PLEASE COULD U TEEL ME HOW DO U SUCCEED IN MOUNTONG THE ZALMAN ON AM2.I DIDN4T FIND WHERE ATTACH THE BRACKET ON MY msi k9n4 ultra. plrase coulfd u show how to do that. thanks

04-04-2008, 05:03 AM	#12
Unregistered Guest Poster Posts: n/a	Installation is tough I've had a tough time installing this cooler on my new motherboard (EVGA nForce 780i). To start with, the back support brack is a bear to get screwed in correctly. It took me over an hour to get the correct combination of screw tensions to allow all the mounting holes to line up well enough to screw the thing together. After that, the bracket that holds the cooler itself seems far to curved to safely screw into place without putting undue pressure on the CPU. Is there a guide to installing these?

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