Zalman 9900 max

Tattoedsailor

Member
Mar 22, 2013
146
3
81
Just got one for $29.99 after rebate. I figured I can't go wrong.. I know they've out for a long time. I use to have a Zalman 9500 that performed really well in an older build. How do they compare to Coolermaster Hyper series and TPC812?
 

dragantoe

Senior member
Oct 22, 2012
689
0
76
I have this, it's a top tier air cooler, up there with noctua and phanteks, but it's a pain in the ass to install and weighs around 3 pounds, but it leaves room for any ram and looks awesome, however the red led lighting could be a bit brighter, but it's a nice accent on a windowed case. you made a good purchase, I actually got mine at ncix when it was $40, it's $80 normally.

if you're wondering what temps I get, my 3570k is at 4.6 ghz and never passes 63C, even when prime95 has been on for an hour
 

Tattoedsailor

Member
Mar 22, 2013
146
3
81
I have this, it's a top tier air cooler, up there with noctua and phanteks, but it's a pain in the ass to install and weighs around 3 pounds, but it leaves room for any ram and looks awesome, however the red led lighting could be a bit brighter, but it's a nice accent on a windowed case. you made a good purchase, I actually got mine at ncix when it was $40, it's $80 normally.

if you're wondering what temps I get, my 3570k is at 4.6 ghz and never passes 63C, even when prime95 has been on for an hour

Thats awesome! I just installed it ( pain in a$$!) Looks killer with my uv leds.. Just ran 95 prime stock clock temps were at 55-57c ambient temps were 72f. I've looked @ ton of reviews on this thing. For cooler thats been out for long time it certainly does well against competition.
 
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Tattoedsailor

Member
Mar 22, 2013
146
3
81
I have this, it's a top tier air cooler, up there with noctua and phanteks, but it's a pain in the ass to install and weighs around 3 pounds, but it leaves room for any ram and looks awesome, however the red led lighting could be a bit brighter, but it's a nice accent on a windowed case. you made a good purchase, I actually got mine at ncix when it was $40, it's $80 normally.

if you're wondering what temps I get, my 3570k is at 4.6 ghz and never passes 63C, even when prime95 has been on for an hour

Whats your ambient temps? I just ran prime95 w/TPC812 believe or not the 9900 beat it by about 2-3 C @ stock clocks. P95 was ran for about 1 1/2 hr..
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
12,086
2,774
136
I wouldn't trust Zalman with their rebates. Those losers denied my rebate because of the "wrong" UPC even though I sent in the correct one and the one THEY CITED was actually the wrong one. The UPC they cited was for the CNPS8900 Quiet, while the product I made a claim for was for the CNPS8900 Extreme. Disgusting. Do not support such a snake company ever again.
 

dragantoe

Senior member
Oct 22, 2012
689
0
76
I wouldn't trust Zalman with their rebates. Those losers denied my rebate because of the "wrong" UPC even though I sent in the correct one and the one THEY CITED was actually the wrong one. The UPC they cited was for the CNPS8900 Quiet, while the product I made a claim for was for the CNPS8900 Extreme. Disgusting. Do not support such a snake company ever again.

my mail in rebate worked fine...
 

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
1
71
my mail in rebate worked fine...

Yea Zalman rebates are pretty slow.

Still awaiting their rebate. Got in on the shell shocker deal when the CNPS 9900max were like $12 after rebate at Newegg.

The rebate was approved over a month ago and waiting for the check to be processed. 2 other rebates sent to the same place after the Zalman one were processed and I already received the checks/cards.
 

Vectronic

Senior member
Jan 9, 2013
489
0
0
Installation/removal is easy... just do it before/while your mobo is detached. Taken mine off/on about 7 times now.

As for cooling, it does pretty good, especially if you have 3rd party/better TIM. 3570K @ 4.5GHz... keeps it at about 40C above ambient (ambient here is all over the place 20 to 30C), with the TIM it came with... and all my case fans on idle/slowest they will run.
 

Tattoedsailor

Member
Mar 22, 2013
146
3
81
I had no problems installing 2nd time. It was actually pretty easy. You just gotta work screws down slowly in criss cross method. I would have to say that the cooler is in top 10 of air coolers. @ $29 it was steal! My Temps last night @ load were 57-61c ambient 24c prime 95 for 1 hour stock clocks.
 

khg5293

Member
Jun 15, 2013
31
0
66
I think 9900max is better than most other all-in-one water coolers. It not only cools the cpu but VRM, mobo phases as well. Don't need an extra spot cooler to cool off NB chipsets on your board.