Zalman 7000B Al-Cu vs. Thermalright XP90

[Zucarita9000]

So, wich is it? I've heard fantastic things about both, and was wondering if one of them is actually better. Thermalright recommends a 92mm Panaflo L1A, but a few people around here started saying that they're not the most quiet fans around (and I've just orderd two 120L1As... damn). Although the Panaflo's have the best airflow.

My Zalman hasn't arrive yet ( :| ) and I was thinking about getting another for my other rig (Intel stock is a bit too loud), but I came across the Thermalright a few days ago and decided to see what you think.

 

[like a fox]

I would go with the cnps7000, as a fan solution generally allows for a cooler cpu, and if you use zalman's fanmate to the "queit" setting, its just as good as beinf fanless. Of course, i have always been a big fan of Zalman, so my response is probly a little biased .

 

[Algere]

With the XP-90 you could always get a fan controller if noise is a concern. As for which is better, the Thermalright XP-90 gets my vote on heatsink design & Zalman gets mine for it's "bang for buck".

 

[CheesePoofs]

My vote's for the xp-90. It cools better and can still be very quiet depending on the fan you get. Plus it doesn't way a ton. But if computer noise really bothers you the cnps7000 would be the better sink for you.

 

[yadda]

Zalman all the way. I have the 7000 AlCu on my P4-2.8C and it runs at 30C idle and loaded at 45C.

Incredibly quiet.

Y

 

[Operandi]

Panaflow L1A's are some of the best fans made period, un-matched CFM/dBA ratio. If i'ts too loud at 12v check out Speed fan or if thats not an option get a hardware fan controler.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Another vote for the Zalman if you're looking for a quieter solution.

 

[boatillo]

The new Zalman's have clear 92mm fans with BLUE LED!!!!

I'd say that about settles THAT. hehe

 

[BonzaiDuck]

In another thread, I posted a comparison-review web-link to the Deutsche "Tweakers 4U" Magazin fur Hardware und PC.

Using the same test-bed, a comparison was made between a CNPS-7700-Cu "clone", the CNPS-7700-Cu, and a ThermalRight XP-120. FAN SPEEDS (and therefore noise), were CONTROLLED IN TWO TEST RUNS AT THE ZALMAN "SILENT" AND "NORMAL" MODES.

The XP120 won, hands down.

Assuming the same number of heatpipes, and a similar surface-area for heatsink fins -- and- - moreover -- the same heatsink base, etc. for the XP90, the same performance should be expected with the only shortcoming in the fan options, but there are many 92mm fans which will run in the 2,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm range and only cause a nominal noise-level of 35 dB/A -- + or - -- between 30 and 40.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Ok, so basically is noise is a concern (wich it is for me), Zalman is the best choice. As for cooling performance, an XP90+91L1A would be the way to go. Thanks a lot.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

the all copper zalman or how a bout that new cnps 7700Cu nearly 1kg of coppers....means bussiness

 

[Zucarita9000]

So what temps should I expect from using the Zalman 7000B AlCu with a 3GHz Prescott CPU? I was thinking about not using the Fanmate controller and plugging it directly to the motherboard, letting Asus Q-Fan adjust the speed.

 

[CheesePoofs]

You can't really expect a certain temperature, because all motherboards read the temps differently, the temps of a cpu can vary more than 20 C between different motherboards. Just expect that it will run much cooler than with the intel stock HSF.

 

[Cawchy87]

xp90

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
You can't really expect a certain temperature, because all motherboards read the temps differently, the temps of a cpu can vary more than 20 C between different motherboards. Just expect that it will run much cooler than with the intel stock HSF.

As long as it stays cool and stable

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If fan speed was controlled in the test and a fan for the XP120 was chosen with no motor-whine at the controlled speeds, then the Zalman cooler is still trumped. I thought I explained that.

The only difficulty with the XP90 is the size limitation on the fan, but there are Panaflo's and other fans which are pretty quiet.

 

[Tiamat]

You can easily make the thermalright quieter than the Zalman - which is noisy to a select few people even in the "low" setting. 92mm Nexus fans are very very quiet. As is the Panaflo L1A @ 5-6V. The Panaflo M1BX that I have is not [very quiet] even at 6V.

My vote goes for XP-90

 

[JBT]

I've got a 7000B its pretty good, not sure how well it is VS the XP-90 but I would guess it is pretty comparable I got mine for $40 shipped from Zipzoomfly http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=373034

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
You can easily make the thermalright quieter than the Zalman - which is noisy to a select few people even in the "low" setting. 92mm Nexus fans are very very quiet. As is the Panaflo L1A @ 5-6V. The Panaflo M1BX that I have is not [very quiet] even at 6V.

My vote goes for XP-90

It's that much differant then an L1A?

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: JBT
I've got a 7000B its pretty good, not sure how well it is VS the XP-90 but I would guess it is pretty comparable I got mine for $40 shipped from Zipzoomfly http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=373034

Or if you have the space and don't mind a decrease in HSF weight. The 7700-AlCu is perhaps better (little cheaper than 7700B-Cu @ ZZF and what d'ya know. Also sold there as well )

*Not trying to crap on your recommendation JBT *

P.S. CNPS7700's doesn't support socket A officially but unofficially with the right Zalman adaptor of sorts it might work. At least that's where I think I heard it from (Zalman forums). Although if this was ever attempted I'd doubt you'd want to install the very heavy all copper version of the 7700 onto a socket A CPU. If this is the case, stick with JBT's recommendation or if you're worried about weight then the AlCu version of what he said.

 

[conceptxp]

which would be an IDEAL fan for FX-55 between Zalman 7000B Al-Cu vs. Thermalright XP90

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: conceptxp
which would be an IDEAL fan for FX-55 between Zalman 7000B Al-Cu vs. Thermalright XP90

Thermalright XP-90 has no fan although you do get your choice of fan to use (TR recommends 92mm/30dB Panaflo IIRC). Between the 2, I'd get the XP-90 on the factor of cooling alone.

The reason I have a Zalman "CNPS7700-AlCu" (shameless plug ) & not a XP-90 now, which was also put into consideration @ the time was due to Zalman's competitive pricing, possible on par performance with the XP-90, and as one of it's stated features, cools surrounding components due to it's massive size and/or design.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

. . . . that's my biggest problem with it and the earlier model -- its "massive size" and 938-something-grams of weight . . .

You could get the same cooling effect on surrounding components with a flat-foam/plexi-glass-duct and a ThermalRight or other heatsink, but then you might actually say that motherboard components were more easily accessible withe the Zalman cooler.

 

[CraigRT]

I wanted the Zalman 7000 myself, but after seeing the XP-90 and figuring out the options with fans. I figure I will buy the XP-90 either today or next week from a place in town that stocks it.

I think it's the better cooler choice, even based on looks IMO.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I wanted the Zalman 7000 myself, but after seeing the XP-90 and figuring out the options with fans. I figure I will buy the XP-90 either today or next week from a place in town that stocks it.

I think it's the better cooler choice, even based on looks IMO.

Yea it's really chic. With the heatpipes it's reminiscent of pipes & metal you'd see on hot rods.