Zalman today unveiled the CNPS10X Performa Black, a tower-type CPU cooler with a design focus on low noise. The cooler includes a unique 135 mm fan by Zalman that has a webbed impeller that guides all its airflow axially. Spinning between 700 to 1,500 RPM, with a maximum airflow of 75.16 CFM, the EBR bearing fan has a maximum noise output of just 27 dBA. The aluminium fin-stack heatsink uses four 8 mm-thick heat-pipes that make direct contact with the CPU at the base. Zalman claims that the cooler is capable of handling thermal loads of up to 180 W. With its fan in place, it measures 135 mm x 95 mm x 155 mm (WxDxH), weighing 860 g. Among the CPU socket types supported are AM4, LGA1200, LGA115x, and LGA2066. The company didn't reveal pricing.

ZALMAN today rolled out a design update to its CNPS10X Optima CPU cooler from way back in 2011. Called the CNPS10X Optima II, the cooler features a completely new design, and uses contemporary design elements. The aluminium fin-stack tower-type cooler uses a fin-stack that's been wrapped in a plastic shroud, with its top plate featuring an ARGB LED lighting ornament. Four 6 mm-thick copper heat pipes make direct contact with the CPU at the base, conveying heat through the fin-stack, which is ventilated by a ZALMAN Dual Blade 120 fan. The fan features a split-blade impeller, hydraulic bearings, and ARGB LEDs in the impeller hub. It spins at 800 to 1,500 RPM, pushing 61.52 CFM of air, at 27 dBA max noise. The cooler comes in two color trims, white and black. Measuring 158 mm x 132 mm x 85 mm (HxWxD), it weighs 740 g. Among the CPU sockets supported are AM4, LGA1200, LGA115x, and LGA2066. The company didn't reveal pricing.

The CNPS (computer noise prevention system) line of CPU coolers from Zalman have decades of reputation, but the company hasn't launched much under this banner, in recent times. The company finally got around to new products, all of which are tower-type heatsinks. Leading the pack is the CNPS10X Optima II. This cooler is a successor of the original CNPS10X Optima from way back in 2011. The heatsink design is unchanged from the original - a conventional tower-type fin-stack with four 8 mm-thick copper heat pipes making direct contact with the CPU at the base. What's changed is an improved fan and support for newer CPU sockets such as AM4 and LGA2066.

The included 120 mm fan of the CNPS10X Optima II comes with a new split-blade impeller (or dual-blade as Zalman likes to call it), which improves air-flow, that is then traded for lower RPMs, and noise. The impeller is translucent, and illuminated by white LEDs. It also has a The cooler is rated for thermal loads of up to 200W TDP. Next up, is the CNPS9X Optima. This cooler features a narrower aluminium fin-stack than the CNPS10X Optima II, but a similar direct-touch base, and four copper heat pipes branching out through various points of the fin-stack. It has the 120 mm "Shank Fin" fan that debuted with the original CNPS10X. This cooler can handle thermal loads of up to 180W, and like the Optima II, it supports newer sockets such as AM4 and LGA2066.

Announced earlier this month, Zalman's CNPS10X Optima CPU cooler has started to pop up in store listings as a pre-order item. Set for a January arrival, this new tower cooler makes use of Direct Touch Heatpipe (DTH) technology and comes with support for Intel LGA 1155 / 1156 / 1366 / 775 and AMD AMD Socket FM1 / AM3+ / AM3 / AM2+ / AM2 processors.

Zalman's creation measures 132 (L) x 85 (W) x 152 (H) mm, it weights 630 grams, and has four copper heatpipes, aluminum fins, and one 120 mm FSB (Fluid Shield Bearing) fan which features Shark Fin blades (for increased airflow and lower noise & vibration) and operates at 1,000 to 1,700 RPM (sound output is 17 to 28 dBA).

The CNPS10X Optima is bundled with a pinch of ZM-STG2M thermal grease and can be found priced as low as 22.76 Euro.