Zalman CNPS20X

[crazyeyesreaper]

Zalman looks to KO the juggernauts of the air-cooling world with their CNPS 20X. Using a fancy 4D stereoscopic corrugated fin design along with their unique dual-blade spider ARGB fans, they are not only looking to deliver on performance but visual style as well.

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[Xzibit]

Question: How is the RPM so off on the S20X

25% = 838
50% = 1044
100% = 1520 <- about the only that looks correct

 

[droopyRO]

That orange paint scheme looks like the SuperMega from Prolimatech, i like it.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Question: How is the RPM so off on the S20X

25% = 838
50% = 1044
100% = 1520 <- about the only that looks correct

Its based on PWM % and the fans respond to the PWM curve differently.

If you set PWM % to 1% most fans won't even spin. Higher quality fans will at low PWM settings but again most wont. It all depends on the PWM range of the fan and how it responds to PWM signal. Some fans may have a bottom RPM rating of 800 but still spin down to 600 without issue. Others the motor needs more pulses to even start spinning. The fans Zalman provided here are working properly within the PWM range they are specified to have.

That said they have an RPM range of 800 to 1500. +/- 10%. so thats 720 to 880 for the min speed and 1350-1650 or so top speed when taking variances into account.

25% is 838 / 50% is 1044 / 75% is around 1200-1300 and 100% is 1520. that's entire PWM range of the fan. Motor / PWM circuitry the PWM controller all can influence that to some degree.

 

[Xzibit]

Its based on PWM % and the fans respond to the PWM curve differently.

If you set PWM % to 1% most fans won't even spin. Higher quality fans will at low PWM settings but again most wont. It all depends on the PWM range of the fan and how it responds to PWM signal. Some fans may have a bottom RPM rating of 800 but still spin down to 600 without issue. Others the motor needs more pulses to even start spinning. The fans Zalman provided here are working properly within the PWM range they are specified to have.

That said they have an RPM range of 800 to 1500. +/- 10%. so thats 720 to 880 for the min speed and 1350-1650 or so top speed when taking variances into account.

25% is 838 / 50% is 1044 / 75% is around 1200-1300 and 100% is 1520. that's entire PWM range of the fan. Motor / PWM circuitry the PWM controller all can influence that to some degree.

Just seamed odd that compared to others 1500 rpm fans they are running 200rpm higher at 50%. Might be that just because the comparison is highlighted it became apparent. Was wondering if they are doing something different.

be quiet, Cryorig, Corsair & Noctua

 

[Divide Overflow]

Sacrifice that much noise for a degree or two? No KO here.

 

[Caring1]

1.3Kg weight should be listed as a negative.

 

[watzupken]

Zalman used to be a great cooler brand. However nowadays, I won't bother to recommend their products as I feel the after sales service is nonexistant. For example, I've been checking with them about buying an AM4 bracket for a Zalman cooler, but I never got any response from them for more than a year coming 2 years now. For the price, I rather people consider getting a Noctua instead.

 

[HDBitdata]

Not compatible with strx40? Cmon

 

[bug]

That orange paint scheme looks like the SuperMega from Prolimatech, i like it.

It's a reference to Zalman's past, legendary coolers: https://techreport.com/review/7795/zalmans-cnps7700-alcu-cooler/

 

[joemama]

That design looks pretty cool

 

[djisas]

It's a reference to Zalman's past, legendary coolers: https://techreport.com/review/7795/zalmans-cnps7700-alcu-cooler/

I had a legendary cnps 7000Cu, it was awesome in the old P4 days, eventually moved on to a cnps 9500, cool little cooler too and it lasted until a week ago before changing to a noctua...
Edit: A little correction here, I had the probably more legendary and older brother 7000Cu at 92mm...

 

[Rx771]

D15 killer has been launch for years, and older than D15, Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme. PCIe and Ram's compatibility, Performance and Price.
Even it's TY-143 is freaking noise and shacky(without dynamic balance) , because of its, IB-E Extreme's performance complete beat down the D15. If somebody want quite, just change a NF-A15, the chart below said IB-E Extreme win with the same air flow.
The most important, clear RAM installation. The only one flagship dual tower heatsink won't cover RAM's RGB without the front fan.
The SB-E's performance is the same with IB-E.

review source by chiphell.com

 

[DrCR]

D15 killer has been launch for years, and older than D15, Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme... If somebody want quite, just change a NF-A15...

Le Grand Macho RT (with a fan swap) has been my go-to for SPCR-spec quiet cooling. Is that dated at this point i.e. do you have any info re the Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme being superior to the Le Grand Macho RT even in a low CFM setting, ceteris paribus (e.g. both heatsinks running with a single NF-A15 @ 800rpm)?

 

[Rx771]

Le Grand Macho RT (with a fan swap) has been my go-to for SPCR-spec quiet cooling. Is that dated at this point i.e. do you have any info re the Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme being superior to the Le Grand Macho RT even in a low CFM setting, ceteris paribus (e.g. both heatsinks running with a single NF-A15 @ 800rpm)?

Of course IB-E Extreme can be penetrate by low RPM,
Check the chart I posted, IB-E's performance distances are short at 900rpm ~1500rpm,TY143 TY147B A15, they all can do it.
Then check D15, it's performance is low at 900rpm, D15 need more rpm(more air flow,more noise) to penetrate fins.

And thanks for u choosing the LGMR, it's the strongest and quickest air cooler still on sale now.Even than quiet king, "Noctua", who everybody said,still can't manufacture the king tower like LGMR. LGMR is quieter(single fan), compatibility(clear RAM space and PCIe), and the same performance with D15.
The most ironically thing is @crazyeyesreaper already tested LGMR years ago, LGMR also got Techpowerup's "EDITOR'S CHOICE". but he still think D15 is the king of CPU cooler, motherboard slot blocker and make more noise, and more expensive.

 

[holyprof]

1.3Kg weight should be listed as a negative.

You're right, but I guess all 140mm dual-tower dual-fan air coolers are just as heavy.

D15 killer has been launch for years, and older than D15, Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme. PCIe and Ram's compatibility, Performance and Price.

Tested on a 95W i5-4670K, maybe yes. No way that cooler can beat the allmighty D15 when used a newer, 8-core, power-hungry i7-9XXX CPU. Maybe it can match it, just like this new Zalman cooler does.

 

[Rx771]

Tested on a 95W i5-4670K, maybe yes. No way that cooler can beat the allmighty D15 when used a newer, 8-core, power-hungry i7-9XXX CPU. Maybe it can match it, just like this new Zalman cooler does.

Match it??? CNPS20X complete beat down D15 with 2 degrees. Do u know what you said?? Trump?
Win in the low temp CPU of course can win in higher one.....r u sick?

 

[Vayra86]

Sacrifice that much noise for a degree or two? No KO here.

Yeah the Kitguru review already had me suspicious. Things in air cooling don't simply, magically work out differently. Physics is immune to marketing.

So basically, if you like how it looks, just turn the fan curve down a bit and you have a non Poop colored NH-D15 that is balanced out just a tad less perfect.

Match it??? CNPS20X complete beat down D15 with 2 degrees. Do u know what you said?? Trump?
Win in the low temp CPU of course can win in higher one.....r u sick?

Now check the noise level it comes with, to get to those results. Also, at high thermal loads, the Noctua starts beating the CNPS20X, which shows us its a little bit better on high TDP CPUs. In that case, it is likely to work as well as the CNPS20X or better while still being more silent.

Its a minute difference, but a difference nonetheless. Heatsink cooling (that is really what we're looking at) is all about dissipation and surface area. The CNPS20X has its fins spaced apart further. This echoes in the results. The fins probably cool faster, but get soaked earlier. And to counteract the heat soak, fan speed needs to be a little higher.

Bottom line, the good old NH-D15 is balanced towards where it matters the most (low noise at typical loads, high cooling capacity at max load). The CNPS20X is not balanced quite as well as that.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

1.3Kg weight should be listed as a negative.

same weight as most high end air coolers, and in personal experience I've had no issues with the weight. Going back over 14 years thus far with heavy weight air coolers. I wouldn't ship them cross country in a build but during testing I basically have to lug the entire system up a flight of stairs and back down again and never had a problem so your mileage may very.

 

[bug]

same weight as most high end air coolers, and in personal experience I've had no issues with the weight. Going back over 14 years thus far with heavy weight air coolers. I wouldn't ship them cross country in a build but during testing I basically have to lug the entire system up a flight of stairs and back down again and never had a problem so your mileage may very.

I think the concern here is long term use. Probably nothing a good backplate won't handle, but in my book once it gets past 500g, weight is a con. Some may be more forgiving, but I'm willing to bet over 1Kg is outside most people's comfort zone.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Of course IB-E Extreme can be penetrate by low RPM,
Check the chart I posted, IB-E's performance distances are short at 900rpm ~1500rpm,TY143 TY147B A15, they all can do it.
Then check D15, it's performance is low at 900rpm, D15 need more rpm(more air flow,more noise) to penetrate fins.

And thanks for u choosing the LGMR, it's the strongest and quickest air cooler still on sale now.Even than quiet king, "Noctua", who everybody said,still can't manufacture the king tower like LGMR. LGMR is quieter(single fan), compatibility(clear RAM space and PCIe), and the same performance with D15.
The most ironically thing is @crazyeyesreaper already tested LGMR years ago, LGMR also got Techpowerup's "EDITOR'S CHOICE". but he still think D15 is the king of CPU cooler, motherboard slot blocker and make more noise, and more expensive.

Where did I ever consider the D15 the king of air coolers, the Internet and enthusiast community tends to make that comment, I still prefer the R1 Universal from Cryorig for top tier air but typically I just recommend the Fuma 2 since its close enough and quieter and fits more cases. But I digress thanks for putting words in my mouth lol considering the D15 was reviewed and earned out editors choice award 6 damn years ago. But I digress when the majority views a cooler a certain way and is as popular as it is it gets carried forward as a valid benchmark. I wouldn't consider the D15 the end all be all of air coolers but its popular, its stood the test of time, has top tier warranty unlike the CNPS20X and its 1 year of support.


I digress, no one can know for sure if a product they buy will go the distance long term. But considering i can still get mounting hardware and support from Noctua on a cooler thats 14 years old... well it seems that matters to people just as much as performance otherwise Noctua wouldn't be as popular as they are today. Do other products rival them? sure but I have noticed in regards to Thermalright / Cryorig / and many other brands once a product runs its course thats it bye bye. Where as Noctua products remain and don't typically need endless revisions (ala Hyper 212s of the world) They might not be the best but Noctua has been solid all around. I mean look at the Zalmans mounting hardware its 2020 and the cooler doesn't use captive bolts on the mounting system. Or Be quiet taking years to move away from their nuts and wrench method. Noctua gets the nod for delivering the entire package with no but ifs. Thermalright is similar in that regard but there availability is far more spotty. I try to carry forward coolers that are still available when I change systems. Back when I swapped from the 6700K to the 8700K the Macho wasn't available for sale anywhere in the USA or Canada at the time. But anyway this response is long enough. If you want to put words in my mouth go for it but with that said I don't think I have personally recommended the D15 to anyone in awhile, its a good cooler but the D15S is a better product and since the Fuma 2 review I've had a hard time recommending these coolers on the systems I build for clients since they just don't need to spend that much. Go figure but for those that want the absolute top tier air coolers well. NH-D15 is available just about everywhere the prices don't fluctuate and they have top tier support it is what it is.

 

[Rx771]

Now check the noise level it comes with, to get to those results. Also, at high thermal loads, the Noctua starts beating the CNPS20X, which shows us its a little bit better on high TDP CPUs. In that case, it is likely to work as well as the CNPS20X or better while still being more silent.

Its a minute difference, but a difference nonetheless. Heatsink cooling (that is really what we're looking at) is all about dissipation and surface area. The CNPS20X has its fins spaced apart further. This echoes in the results. The fins probably cool faster, but get soaked earlier. And to counteract the heat soak, fan speed needs to be a little higher.

Bottom line, the good old NH-D15 is balanced towards where it matters the most (low noise at typical loads, high cooling capacity at max load). The CNPS20X is not balanced quite as well as that.

So what's different if I replace the principle to D15 in your sentence? "Bottom line, the good D15S is balanced towards where it matters the most (low noise at typical loads, top capacity at max load). The D15 is not balanced quite as well as D15s."
If I can get more adjust space and don't use the beast fans, why not choose better one. CNPS20X definitely got more performance if I need in the future. See D15 again, its performance just stock on there and never go up.
Please check Steve Burke's Gamer Nexus, CNPS20X definitely is good than D15 at the same noise range.

Where did I ever consider the D15 the king of air coolers, the Internet and enthusiast community tends to make that comment, I still prefer the R1 Universal from Cryorig for top tier air but typically I just recommend the Fuma 2 since its close enough and quieter and fits more cases. But I digress thanks for putting words in my mouth lol considering the D15 was reviewed and earned out editors choice award 6 damn years ago. But I digress when the majority views a cooler a certain way and is as popular as it is it gets carried forward as a valid benchmark. I wouldn't consider the D15 the end all be all of air coolers but its popular, its stood the test of time, has top tier warranty unlike the CNPS20X and its 1 year of support.

I digress, no one can know for sure if a product they buy will go the distance long term. But considering i can still get mounting hardware and support from Noctua on a cooler thats 14 years old... well it seems that matters to people just as much as performance otherwise Noctua wouldn't be as popular as they are today. Do other products rival them? sure but I have noticed in regards to Thermalright / Cryorig / and many other brands once a product runs its course thats it bye bye. Where as Noctua products remain and don't typically need endless revisions (ala Hyper 212s of the world) They might not be the best but Noctua has been solid all around. I mean look at the Zalmans mounting hardware its 2020 and the cooler doesn't use captive bolts on the mounting system. Or Be quiet taking years to move away from their nuts and wrench method. Noctua gets the nod for delivering the entire package with no but ifs. Thermalright is similar in that regard but there availability is far more spotty. I try to carry forward coolers that are still available when I change systems. Back when I swapped from the 6700K to the 8700K the Macho wasn't available for sale anywhere in the USA or Canada at the time. But anyway this response is long enough. If you want to put words in my mouth go for it but with that said I don't think I have personally recommended the D15 to anyone in awhile, its a good cooler but the D15S is a better product and since the Fuma 2 review I've had a hard time recommending these coolers on the systems I build for clients since they just don't need to spend that much. Go figure but for those that want the absolute top tier air coolers well. NH-D15 is available just about everywhere the prices don't fluctuate and they have top tier support it is what it is.

Because of your title, "The D15 Killer?". The sentence mood seems to me is what I thought. I apologize.
I admit Noctua is really good at sell and active social media advertisement , sell on every where and give the longest warranty. And unfortunately because of TechpowerUP's influence, most people keep flattering D15, it's grave in the situation in East Asia. Noctua is more like a belief.
We got more powerful product on sell and cheaper a lot than Noctua's anything, especially Thermalright. I'm very indignation.

 

[Vayra86]

So what's different if I replace the principle to D15 in your sentence? "Bottom line, the good D15S is balanced towards where it matters the most (low noise at typical loads, top capacity at max load). The D15 is not balanced quite as well as D15s."
If I can get more adjust space and don't use the beast fans, why not choose better one. CNPS20X definitely got more performance if I need in the future. See D15 again, its performance just stock on there and never go up.
Please check Steve Burke's Gamer Nexus, CNPS20X definitely is good than D15 at the same noise range.

View attachment 153965

Because of your title, "The D15 Killer?". The sentence mood seems to me is what I thought. I apologize.
I admit Noctua is really good at sell and active social media advertisement , sell on every where and give the longest warranty. And unfortunately because of TechpowerUP's influence, most people keep flattering D15, it's grave in the situation in East Asia. Noctua is more like a belief.
We got more powerful product on sell and cheaper a lot than Noctua's anything, especially Thermalright. I'm very indignation.

I think everyone can see the pros and cons, no?

There are reasons to pick a CNPS20X. Its not a bad cooler and nobody, I believe ever said that anywhere. There are also selling points for other popular coolers.

I mentioned the NH-D15 because that is usually the metric people go by. I'm not even using one myself, I have a dual stack tower though, a BQ Dark Rock Pro3. Why? Not because its a tiny bit less efficient than the good old Noctua. Its also not cheaper. But it did come with good fans and its all black, like most of the rest of my case interior.

What's worth more? A 0.2 C (!!!) idle and 0.8 C load difference at 198W? Or a black look? Or the aforementioned mounting kits throughout a lifetime? Or warranty?

But that is all really just irrelevant when you see the fan they bring with this cooler...

resulting in...

versus

Zalman at full tilt, to get a minimal temperature win over the rest, sounds like a jet plane. I'll pass on that, thx It may look flashy, but honestly? This is really poor noise performance in 2020.

So that is where the balance is not struck entirely right, to me. A bit less noisy at max PWM for a few degrees less, would be great. Anywhere over 40% ish PWM will be louder but not necessarily cooler.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

So what's different if I replace the principle to D15 in your sentence? "Bottom line, the good D15S is balanced towards where it matters the most (low noise at typical loads, top capacity at max load). The D15 is not balanced quite as well as D15s."
If I can get more adjust space and don't use the beast fans, why not choose better one. CNPS20X definitely got more performance if I need in the future. See D15 again, its performance just stock on there and never go up.
Please check Steve Burke's Gamer Nexus, CNPS20X definitely is good than D15 at the same noise range.

View attachment 153965

Because of your title, "The D15 Killer?". The sentence mood seems to me is what I thought. I apologize.
I admit Noctua is really good at sell and active social media advertisement , sell on every where and give the longest warranty. And unfortunately because of TechpowerUP's influence, most people keep flattering D15, it's grave in the situation in East Asia. Noctua is more like a belief.
We got more powerful product on sell and cheaper a lot than Noctua's anything, especially Thermalright. I'm very indignation.

Conclusion spells it out. At same noise levels CNPS20X offers same performance. So its not better its the same price or a bit more expensive than the NH-D15 with abysmal mounting hardware, lesser warranty etc. Is the Zalman a bad cooler no but is it great? no. If you want to look at the entire package. D15 is quieter offers good performance comes with LNA adapters for further noise reduction, top tier warranty and support, long product support cycle, when looking at the package ie everything yeah D15 is objectively better if you can withstand the abnoxious colors and its $10 cheaper. As for thermalright the Le Grand Macho RT is once again not available at the majority of retailers so while its a damn good cooler if you can't buy it that makes it pretty much worthless.

As for the -The Nocuta Killer? its phrased as a question due to the fact after Kitguru's review the internet went nuts for this cooler. When on a typical system no its not better. Its par the course similar performance higher noise output with the aforementioned drawbacks. If Zalman upgrades the mounting hardware, includes a screwdriver for easier mounting etc. I would likely recommend it rather than just giving them an innovation award for the surprisingly good performance their open frame fans offer along with the unique looks etc. Another key point here is the Zalman cooler doesn't really allow for an easy fan swap the fan brackets make that pretty much impossible as the fans attach to the frames via four tiny screws which then attach to mounting clips that slip over small nubs on the frame.

For a new generation high end air cooler Zalman is on the right track, Now its time to refine the product and STICK WITH IT for more than say 1 year.

As for the D15 yeah it has similar clearance issues to the Zalman but what many people forget is the NH-D15S does not, it is offset upwards to avoid the GPU on smaller form factor motherboards. Add in the fact that on most mainstream processors the drop to a single fan barely impacts performance. And if you add another fan it performs the same as the D15 but with the clearance benefits for the GPU at least.

So I pose this question. Since the NH-D15 came out, the majority of top tier air coolers still have terrible clearance, worse noise characters for similar performance with lesser warranties and the list goes on. Thats why Noctua is so popular. Don't like it? Well complain to cooler manufacturers to up there game.

That said, between the Deepcool Assassin 3, NH-D15 , NH-D15S, Zalman CNPS20X, Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4, Le Grand Macho RT i would say there really isn't a "wrong choice" more user preference in regards to appearance and whats more important to you.

I think everyone can see the pros and cons, no?

There are reasons to pick a CNPS20X. Its not a bad cooler and nobody, I believe ever said that anywhere. There are also selling points for other popular coolers.

I mentioned the NH-D15 because that is usually the metric people go by. I'm not even using one myself, I have a dual stack tower though, a BQ Dark Rock Pro3. Why? Not because its a tiny bit less efficient than the good old Noctua. Its also not cheaper. But it did come with good fans and its all black, like most of the rest of my case interior.

What's worth more? A 0.2 C (!!!) idle and 0.8 C load difference at 198W? Or a black look? Or the aforementioned mounting kits throughout a lifetime? Or warranty?

But that is all really just irrelevant when you see the fan they bring with this cooler...

View attachment 153968 resulting in...
View attachment 153969 versus View attachment 153970

Zalman at full tilt, to get a minimal temperature win over the rest, sounds like a jet plane. I'll pass on that, thx It may look flashy, but honestly? This is really poor noise performance in 2020.

So that is where the balance is not struck entirely right, to me. A bit less noisy at max PWM for a few degrees less, would be great. Anywhere over 40% ish PWM will be louder but not necessarily cooler.

The zalman fans are bad at full tilt but when i matched the noise levels performance between the D15 and CNPS20x is the same. (data is presented in the conclusion)

But I digress this thread is running in circles.

Me personally? I would take an R1 Universal or Scythe Fuma 2 over everything else in the higher air cooling market. I would actually love to see CRYORIG make an R1 Universal that uses 2x slim 140 fans. (I tested that myself and found no real performance drop off meaning the cooler could be made a bit thinner and with a third 140 slim performance improved beyond that the R1 Ultimate etc. Add in those accented color brackets and well its a win win for me if they did that but they wont and lets face it no point using a slim fan in the middle if a thicker fan will fit. But anyway that is just me rambling.

 

[Vario]

Phanteks PH-TC14PE also competes at a top level but has been absent from a lot of benchmarks for several years now even though it appears to still be sold.