A Closer Look

If you haven't noticed yet, the cooler is completely black. Zalman used electrophoresis to give the cooler a black coating. However, electrophoresis is not electroplating. The former is more affordable as it makes use of resin. Still, it gives the heatsink a very stealthy appearance, and regular handling didn't cause any damage or issues with the finish. The fins are folded on the outer edges, which helps with rigidity and overall airflow pattern while also making it easier to secure the fans.


It is true that there isn't a whole lot to be excited about in regards to CPU coolers, which remains true here as the Zalman CNPS10X Performa Black uses a tried and true tower design with 50 aluminium fins receiving heat from four heat pipes.


The top plate has the Zalman logo in the center, but as it too is coated black, it's almost invisible unless light hitting it reveals its edged profile. As noted, the heat pipes are also coated black, with four of them for this design, and they directly touch the CPU rather than being attached to a more traditional base. Our sample was, at least according to my razor blade, nearly perfectly flat, but the gaps on the sides of the heat pipes are a bit concerning. While not massive, that tiny area will not have stellar contact with the processor's IHS, and that leaves, no matter how minuscule, extra surface area for heat transfer unused, filled with thermal paste or, worse yet, air, as the latter is more of an insulator. Still, the heat pipes were smooth, and while machining marks were visible, I noticed no major faults or problems.


Zalman opted for a 135 mm fan for the CNPS10X Performa Black, and it has an RPM range of 700 to 1500. Thus, it shouldn't be insanely loud, and with an annular outer ring on the fan blades, it should better direct airflow through the heatsink, at least according to the presented information. Either way, the fan feels solid, and other than the fancy Zalman logo, it is rather subdued in appearance as well. In fact, the white Zalman logo on the fan is the only bit of contrast you will find on the cooler when installed.