Zalman CNPS17X

[crazyeyesreaper]

The Zalman CNPS17X is an eye-catching single-tower CPU cooler that follows in the footsteps of the CNPS20X, its larger sibling. It makes use of the same 4D stereoscopic corrugated fins and is equipped with a dual-blade spider ARGB fan, both of which contribute to its unique look. However, considering its price tag of $69, it faces some seriously stiff competition.

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[DrCR]

Any chance that we could add a 'reference fan' test when testing heatsinks?

For example, use a NF-A12 at 700 rpm and 1800 rpm on every heatsink tested? I understand some of the reasons to want to test a heatsink and fan 'out of the box', but this proposal would allow the comparison of heatsinks themselves in a ceteris paribus context.

 

[watzupken]

Based on experience in recent years, if you are looking for after sales support from Zalman, its almost non-existent. I had a CNPS9xxx series (the cylindrical copper cooler) which I was hoping they can advise if there is any AM4 retention clip. Sent a couple of emails to their support, but did not receive any acknowledgement nor a response to date (almost 2 years now). At the very least, they can just say they don't have it. I

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Any chance that we could add a 'reference fan' test when testing heatsinks?

For example, use a NF-A12 at 700 rpm and 1800 rpm on every heatsink tested? I understand some of the reasons to want to test a heatsink and fan 'out of the box', but this proposal would allow the comparison of heatsinks themselves in a ceteris paribus context.

The number of people that change the fans on a heatsink is minimal, its also a lipstick on a pig thing, why would I test using say a $30 noctua fan as an example on a $27 heatsink? There is also the time taken to test. It takes about 6 hours just to do testing now on one platform. Of course whatever fans I pick people will find fault with. "that cooler needs a higher static pressure fan why would you use X rather than Y" Its a can of worms that doubles my work load and has little to no practical value.

Example if you buy a $50 dual tower cooler which already performs well are you gonna spend another $30 to 60 on fans? why not just buy a better cooler. At the end of the day 95% of people buying a cooler use it the way it came. What good is it to see that yeah heatsink A is better than heatsink B by 2C but you gotta spend $$$ to gain it. There is no real practical value for the time sink.

Future tests will be done on Intel and AMD once test benches are ready. So that adds double the workload, I also will be adding set dBA testing which further dbls the work load. That means a typical cooler review that takes about 10-12 hours to complete. If testing alone is 6 hrs that is now 12 now double that for set dBA tests its 24 hrs just on testing now factor in photo work, writing, working with manufacturers if an issue crops up etc. If i add "set fans" my work load just went up another 12 hrs to a total of 36 hrs for a COOLER. There is more time sunk into this than people think when you do it right and verify the results etc.

 

[DrCR]

No worries. Thanks for the reviews, as always.

 

[Vayra86]

Oh wow, this is more than 2x as expensive as it should be...

A 212 with fancy fan for this money...

 

[Caring1]

The number of people that change the fans on a heatsink is minimal, its also a lipstick on a pig thing, why would I test using say a $30 noctua fan as an example on a $27 heatsink? There is also the time taken to test. It takes about 6 hours just to do testing now on one platform. Of course whatever fans I pick people will find fault with. "that cooler needs a higher static pressure fan why would you use X rather than Y" Its a can of worms that doubles my work load and has little to no practical value.

Example if you buy a $50 dual tower cooler which already performs well are you gonna spend another $30 to 60 on fans? why not just buy a better cooler. At the end of the day 95% of people buying a cooler use it the way it came. What good is it to see that yeah heatsink A is better than heatsink B by 2C but you gotta spend $$$ to gain it. There is no real practical value for the time sink.

Future tests will be done on Intel and AMD once test benches are ready. So that adds double the workload, I also will be adding set dBA testing which further dbls the work load. That means a typical cooler review that takes about 10-12 hours to complete. If testing alone is 6 hrs that is now 12 now double that for set dBA tests its 24 hrs just on testing now factor in photo work, writing, working with manufacturers if an issue crops up etc. If i add "set fans" my work load just went up another 12 hrs to a total of 36 hrs for a COOLER. There is more time sunk into this than people think when you do it right and verify the results etc.

While all that is true, a lot of enthusiasts will have a range of fans on hand already as "spares" so swapping to something possibly better that they have already invested in might give minimal benefits, but it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy knowing their system is the best it can be.

 

[newtekie1]

"Reverse Direct Touch Heatpipes"

I can only imagine the marketing meeting for that one.

"Look, Direct Touch Heatpipes is a feature that people like in heatsinks, but ours doesn't have that. What can we do?"
"We can just rename the inferior standard heatsink base that coolers have had for decades 'Reverse Direct Touch Heatpipes' so people think our heatsink has that feature when it really doesn't."
"Genius!"

 

[1d10t]

Didn't realize Zalman still exist. I'm still using one of their fan for case though, ZA1225ASL for almost 3 years+

"Reverse Direct Touch Heatpipes"
I can only imagine the marketing meeting for that one.
"Look, Direct Touch Heatpipes is a feature that people like in heatsinks, but ours doesn't have that. What can we do?"
"We can just rename the inferior standard heatsink base that coolers have had for decades 'Reverse Direct Touch Heatpipes' so people think our heatsink has that feature when it really doesn't."
"Genius!"

Wait until you read another feature " Reversed Structured " . Seem to me Zalman is on a turnabout, like to twist anything

 

[RandallFlagg]

Wish we could see the stock Intel cooler as a reference point on these CPU cooling fan reviews.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Wish we could see the stock Intel cooler as a reference point on these CPU cooling fan reviews.

Intel's 8700K 9900k and 10900K dont have stock coolers.

 

[RandallFlagg]

Intel's 8700K 9900k and 10900K dont have stock coolers.

True, but not everyone has K chips, and a lot upgrade from non K chips. It would just make a good reference point.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

True, but not everyone has K chips, and a lot upgrade from non K chips. It would just make a good reference point.

Which is fine but your not going to use a stock cooler with an 8700K and seeing a cooler that literally will fail 90% of the tests is rather useless. If i tested with a non K sku sure. But I don't even have a reference intel cooler here. The only one I do have is from the sandybridge days with a copper core which Intel doesn't use anymore.

IF a test bench CPU has a stock cooler it will be tested but if its not provided I am not going to bother. (future test bench has an AMD CPU and the included cooler will be tested on that platform)

 

[DrCR]

No worries, crazyeyesreaper. No reason to test mediocre when that time could be better invested elsewhere.