Tuesday, January 27th 2009
Zalman VF2000 LED in Pretty Pixels
First spotted at the recent CES 2009 event, the Zalman VF2000 LED is incing towards launch. The Korean cooling specialist added a smart bit of innovation to this GPU cooler: it can also be used to cool a CPU. The VF2000 LED is a simplistic looking GPU cooler that is compatible with most GPUs such as the NVIDIA G9x and ATI RV700 series. Designed primarily for graphics cards, the VF2000 LED maintains a short profile. It measures 126x110x45 mm and weighs 290 g. Its construction is fairly simple, consisting of a contact block from which four heatpipes emerge, conveying heat to a dense aluminum fin array. The 90mm PWM-controlled, blue LED-lit fan is embedded into a circular cavity atop the array.
The provision of additional retention modules makes this cooler compatible with the Intel LGA-775 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 sockets. However, the catch is that this cooler is recommended only for CPUs with rated TDPs below 110W, and hence can't be used for overclocking adventures on air-cooling, however, its slim construction sets it up as an ideal cooler for low-profile PCs. For the same reasons, this cooler is not provided with support for the LGA-1366. Matbe sourced some pictures from the cooler's official photo shoot. For more pictures, visit this page.
The provision of additional retention modules makes this cooler compatible with the Intel LGA-775 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 sockets. However, the catch is that this cooler is recommended only for CPUs with rated TDPs below 110W, and hence can't be used for overclocking adventures on air-cooling, however, its slim construction sets it up as an ideal cooler for low-profile PCs. For the same reasons, this cooler is not provided with support for the LGA-1366. Matbe sourced some pictures from the cooler's official photo shoot. For more pictures, visit this page.
36 Comments on Zalman VF2000 LED in Pretty Pixels
Copper has a greater conductivity with physical touch, which is why it's used in bases and watercooling blocks.
Aluminum has a greater conductivity with air. So honestly, a copper base, copper heatpipes, and aluminum fins make for a great cooler if it's done right. Not to mention that a full copper GPU cooler can really give your card the "bends" ;)
If this was with PWM fan and an adapter to motherboard sized 4-pin it would be better.
Wonder why it has the outer mount holes plugged? It would allow maybe to use it on G200 series, might not be able to handle the heat though.
Looks really nice though, would love to have a box full of those black zalman ramsinks.
Basically, the argument is, does thermal conductivity work both ways?
Some people say that because aluminum is less dense, it can radiate the heat back into the air faster than copper can, but copper can absorb heat faster. With this theory, a copper base and aluminum fins would be best.
Others say that thermal conductivity works both ways, absorbing and radiating.
Other supporting evidence includes temperature gradients, and that using copper (and thus absorbing and holding more heat) creates a higher temperature gradient to allow the heat to transfer to the air more rapidly.
I've been reading this threat at least... episteme.arstechnica.com/6/ubb.x?q=Y&a=tpc&s=50009562&f=77909585&m=8490955581
It really is quite an interesting argument. I want Mythbusters to have a go at it!
I'm going to make a thread about it so we don't crap the VF2000.
LINK: forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=83361