Zalman CNPS 9900 MAX review - Introduction

Zalman over the years has been hard at work placing some very popular CPU coolers on the market. The one that everybody remembers and still is going strong where the initial CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System) CPU cooler, the copper somewhat rounded "butterfly" based coolers. That model has been the biggest success of all their coolers. Though we feel the sheer looks anno 2010 of that design is a little so-so, the technology behind it proofs that it is a top notch design, still.

As such Zalman decided to reintroduce the CNPS 9900 model one more time, slightly updated tagged with MAX. This time around targeted at high-performance cooling (within the air based cooling segment of course).

Zalman calls it the CNPS 9900 MAX which comes with Zalman’s heat transfer solution by utilizing ‘composite heatpipe’ technology allowing a Q-Max of 300W, along with a bigger 135mm LED fan for, what Zalman claims to be, quiet operation and broad compatibility for both Intel 1156/1366/775 & AMD AM3/AM2+/AM2.

The product measures 94 (L) x 131 (W) x 152 (H) mm and weighs 730 grams. It has that rather abnormal silhouette, with two circular fin arrays, each on one side Sitting in-between them is that 135mm fan with an 800 to 2200 RPM (rotations per minute) and a sound output of 18dBA to 43dBA.

Aesthetics wise the MAX got a little TLC as well, the base plate, the heatpipes and the fins themselves come with a nice black nickel plating.

Again, Intel LGA 775, LGA 1156, LGA 1366 CPUs are supported, as well as socket 754, 939, AM, AM2+ and AM3 chips from AMD. So today we put that CNPS 9900 MAX to the test and the results surprised me. This is a really really good product. Have a look at it and then let's head onwards to the next page shall we?