[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

Korea-based Zalman is one of the most respectable manufacturers on the CPU cooling business, as they use only top-notch materials. Their latest CPU cooler, CNPS9700 LED, is no different, being manufactured entirely in pure copper and featuring a huge 110 mm fan with two ball bearings that glows blue when the system is turned on. Let’s take a look at Zalman’s new baby, which will be released on October 19th.

As you can see in Figure 1, CNPS9700 LED has three “8”-shaped heat-pipes made of pure copper. Its base and fins are also made of pure copper.

Figure 1: Zalman CNPS9700 LED.

Figure 2: Zalman CNPS9700 LED base.

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On Figures 3 and 4 we compare CNPS9700 LED with CNPS9500 AM2, which uses a big 92-mm fan, so you can have a better idea of how big the new 110-mm fan used on CNPS9700 LED is. Another difference between the two models is the color, of course.

Figure 3: Comparing the size of CNPS9700 LED (right) with CNPS9500 AM2 (left).

Figure 4: Comparing the size of CNPS9700 LED (right) with CNPS9500 AM2 (left).

This new CPU cooler also comes with a high-end thermal grease (ZM-STG1), which lasts 10 applications, according to Zalman. What is very unique about this thermal grease is its bottle, using a small bush on its cap, just like a bottle of nail polish. So you won’t get your hands dirty when applying this thermal grease.

Figure 5: ZM-STG1 thermal grease.

In Figure 6, you can see the accessories that come with CNPS9700 LED. As you can see it comes with metallic clips and plastic holders for using it with both AMD and Intel CPUs and a fan speed controller (“Fan Mate 2”), which can drive the fan from 1,250 rpm up to 2,800 rpm.

Figure 6: Accessories that come with Zalman CNPS9700 LED.

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Zalman CNPS9700 LED CPU cooler main features include:

• Application: Intel (Socket LGA775) and AMD (Socket 754, 939, 940 and AM2) CPUs.
• Material: All-copper.
• Fan: 110 mm
• Fan LED color: blue.
• Bearing: Two ball bearings.
• Fan speed: 1,250 rpm to 2,800 rpm, ajustable.
• Noise level: 19.5 dBA to 35 dBA
• Weight: 26.95 oz (764 g)
• Dimensions: 3.54” x 4.88” x 5.59” (90 mm x 124 mm x 142 mm)
• Extra features: One bottle of ZM-STG1 thermal grease.
• More Information: https://www.zalmanusa.com
• Average price in the US*: Not available yet.

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The new CNPS9700 LED seems to be a great new product for those willing to have an even higher thermal performance compared to the previous high-end air cooler from Zalman, CNPS9500.

The material used is really top-notch (pure copper) and the new 110 mm fan is really impressive.

The thermal grease that comes with the product is great not only because it is a high-end product, but also because its brush that allows you to apply the thermal grease without getting your hands dirty.

Another important difference between CNPS9700 and CNPS9500 is CPU compatibility. While CNPS9500 has two different models depending on the CPU family you have, Intel (AT model) or AMD (AM2 model), the new CNPS9700 is compatible with all CPUs available today on the market.

In summary, it is a terrific high-end CPU air cooler for those users that demand only the best.