Installation

Installing the Zalman CNPS10X Performa Black could be far easier and better. While I like universal hardware for its lack of parts, it can sometimes cause problems. For example, to install the cooler on AMD, you will need to remove the AMD mounting brackets and backplate from the motherboard. With that done, you need to prepare the Zalman backplate, but secure the nuts with the plastic clips and apply the proper loading block. With the backplate ready, you can position it on the motherboard. Just make sure the CPU cutout area in your case is big enough as the larger size of the backplate may otherwise cause issues.


With the backplate on the motherboard, you can then secure it in place by using the included washers on the proper stand-offs. Once the backplate is secure, you can attach the mounting arms and secure them as well. Finally, in preparation for mounting the heatsink, you will need to apply some thermal paste.


Securing the heatsink requires the use of two spring-loaded screws that should honestly be captive to the heatsink instead. But since they are not, you will need to position them in the holes on the crossbar and then alternate every few turns to apply even pressure. With the heatsink secure, you can now attach the fan and plug it in.


Overall, the install process isn't bad at all on AMD; the stand-offs secure the backplate quite well, and thanks to that design, you don't need to hold onto a spacer, screw, bracket, and backplate all at the same time.

However, the mounting hardware still has some surprising problems. First, the universal brackets may conflict with some motherboards. The ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XII FORMULA (Z490) has a heatsink/water block on the motherboard. The heatsink sitting below the CPU is high enough and extends close enough to the socket for the AM4 mounting holes on the brackets to cause issues, making it impossible to install the cooler in the correct position on the Intel system. I fixed this by using a Dremel to hack the excess off and continued on my way.

This problem is entirely avoidable by using separate brackets. The backplate, while not a problem for me, is quite excessively bulky, and could also cause problems in older cases, or ones with poorly laid out CPU access holes. Thus far, the cooler is good, and installing it was easy enough, but Zalman needs to further refine the backplate design and switch to separate AMD and Intel brackets.