Thursday, July 11th 2013
Zalman Unveils CNPS2X Ultra-Compact CPU Cooler
Korean PC cooling specialist Zalman announced a rehash of one of its oldest and most effective CPU cooler designs, with the new CNPS2X (computer noise prevention system). Its design involves a mirror-finished copper base, through which a single 8 mm-thick copper heat pipe passes, making direct contact with the CPU. This heat pipe twists out into a spiral shape, and along its two arms, a spirally-projecting copper fin array draws heat. This array further compresses down at the base. An 80 mm PWM-controlled fan is nestled inside the fin array, its downward and sideways airflow ventilates the fins. Measuring 84 x 84 x 27 mm, the CNPS2X weighs 83 g. Zalman claims the cooler can handle thermal loads of up to 120W. Most modern CPU socket types are supported, including LGA115x, AM3+/AM3, and FM2/FM1. Slated for late-July, the cooler is expected to be priced around $30.
Source:
Hermitage Akihabara
25 Comments on Zalman Unveils CNPS2X Ultra-Compact CPU Cooler
This look good copper, thick fins,good price and a pipe.
Waiting for benchmarks...
All I see here is the lack of innovation and Zalman grasping at straws.
the design might of been fine for cooling GPUs but i dont think upscaling it would make it a good CPU cooler.
Sure there is thermal protection and such but still..
But I don't know if I see great performance from what's only a single H-P used by Zalman? I look at what is a twin Heat Pipe radial type cooler on PowerColors’ AX7790 1GBD5-DH/OC, that card only has as a TDP of 85W. I'm a little skeptical on how Zalmans' design can dissipate more heat better. Then look at the TDP on a 7770 of 80W, or a GTX650Ti that is 110W, and ponder how just .83 g and one H-P could handle thermal loads of up to 120W?
The upside with this is the 8mm pipe being direct touch and the PWM fan. One thing I see is the fins only contact about 40%; although they are bent to form a trough that might provide more contact I'd rather see the pipe go through the fins. I'd say if they had two mirroring H-P's swedged in the block and fins that made 360° contact it could have a chance at 120W. The way it is probably better suited for 95W or about 20% less.
The weight would further suggest that. That being said, my 8900 is 400g, so I'm really concerned about this 2X.
I gotta give props to Zalman for taking their original ideas, some that gotta be ranging close to a decade in design thought, and modernizing them into competitively effective cooling pieces. I am happy to be reading more about them again. Zalman used to be my go-to for cooling before the heatpipe loaded Arctic coolers and Xig S1283's started dominating the market.