Zalman CNPS 12X review

Specifications

As stated, the CPU cooler follows in the footsteps of the older 9900 CNPS series, let's have a peek at the manufacturer's supplied specs and features of this cooler.

Features of the 12X

• Powerful Cooling Performance
  Optimally designed aluminum fins disperse heat away from the CPU via 6 of high performance heatpipes by utilizing I.H.D technology, while the high capacity 120mm Triple fans quickly cools the heatsink for stable operation of high performance CPUs.
• I.H.D : Interactive Heat pipe transfer Design Ultra Quiet Triple Blue LED FAN
  Switching noise eliminated 120mm Triple Fans incorporated for ultra quiet operation and blue LEDs for cool aesthetics.
• ¡®Switching noise¡¯ is the high frequency harmonic noise that can result from voltage regulation.
• VFP Dual Heatsink
  Optimized dual heatsink, applying V.F.P(Variable Fin Profile) technology, maximized it¡¯s performance through dual air-intake structure that increase Air Flow.
• Radiator Surface Area : 9,635 §²
• Noise : 22dBA ¡¾10% (with RC5) W-DTH Base applied
  As applying W-DTH(Whole-Direct Touch Heatpipes) technology, heatpipes in the Base Cover touch the CPU directly and transfer the CPU¡¯s heat directly to heatpipes, thereby minimizing heat resistance and maximizing cooling performance in a short time.
• Composite Heatpipe applied
  By utilizing Composite Heatpipes, the heat transfer capacity enhanced by 50% compared to the ordinary Sintered-type Heatpipes.
• Composite Heatpipe : Featuring a ¡®Sintered Metal¡¯ type wick, resulting in outstanding capillary pumping performance, and a high thermal conductive design of ¡®Axial Grooves¡¯ which increases the heat transfer rate. Versatile Compatibility
  CNPS12X accommodates a broad range of sockets including Intel¡¯s upcoming socket LGA2011 as well as AMD¡¯s sockets.
  LGA2011/1366/1156/1155/775
  FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
• Moreover, thanks to highly optimized heatsink design, CNPS12X is able to be compatible with a Mid -Tower Case with its width is 180mm or wider.
• Black-Pearl Nickel Plating
  The entire heatsink of CNPS12X is plated with ¡®Black-Pearl¡¯ Nickel for a long-term corrosion resistance, while the deep ¡°Black-Pearl¡± tone along with the high intensity Blue LEDs reinforce its powerful aesthetics.
• High Performance Super Thermal Grease ZM-STG2
  The included all new high performance thermal grease ZM-STG2 maximizes heat transfer from the CPU to the base of CNPS12X for intensified cooling performance.

Processors supported

Let's head onwards into the product gallery and installation.