Zalman Computer Noise Prevention System with Silent Fan Pure Copper Heatsink CPU Cooler

I was doing a mini-itx intel build (i5 8600k) using Thermaltake Core V1 SPCC mini-itx cube case https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2UKGSM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1This case has a good amount of room, but the spare Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo that I have was too tall for it. I came across a YouTube video about the Core V1 case and the content creator recommended this Zalman cooler, as it fits perfectly and is really quiet. I ordered this cooler and am glad I did. It actually looks really cool with the copper fins and it is very quiet during normal use. I am not going to overclock my cpu and the purpose of it is mainly office work and some light gaming.Mounting it was not too bad, it can be a bit tricky at first, but was overall decently simple. The instructions have pictures that show where all of the parts go and which way they need to be orientated. A plastic mount goes over the cpu area with 4 bolts, nuts, and washers. The cooler mounts to the plastic bracket with 2 screws and a metal bracket that goes through the cooler on centered notch piece. The tricky part is the metal bracket, which you start one screw in the front of the cooler, then you start the back screw, but this requires a lot of pressure to flex the bracket for the screw to reach. Makes sense that it is this way to put pressure down on the mount, but you have to be careful that the first screw you start does not pop out when flexing the bracket. This happened to me on my first try, the first screw went flying across the room. Once I realized how much tension goes on this bracket, I screwed the first screw almost completely in.At first I was worried about my ram fitting, but it cleared the cooler (almost touches it!). I am using 16 gigabytes (2 sticks) of Crucial Ballistix RGB memory.Pros:Made out of copperDesign looks really coolQuietFan is a 4 pin pwm fanFits many generations of Intel socketsMemory clearance is goodCons:Copper fins are delicate, can be bent easilyMounting is a bit tricky at first, not the best designOnly fits IntelComes with thermal paste, but is in a tiny pouch instead of a syringeNo RGB (I wish they had this option!)The fan sits a bit uneven in the center of the copper fins, but seems to function properly (can see in my photo).

OK, so I got my Zalman CNPS9500 AT in today and hooked this baby up and must say I'm impressed with the results. Since I'd already had a Zalman CPU cooler before (CNPS7700-AICu) installation was a breeze since I didn't have to remove the MB again.It's not as big as the CNPS9700 (good), but it does its job well. The copper base came machined flat, very smooth and shinny. The fan is black in color and has no LED's.As far as fan noise...quiet, quiet, quiet...even at load. Did I say quiet?And speaking of the fan, one of the selling points for me was the fact that the cooler comes with a 4-pin Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) fan which allows the motherboard to automatically control the fan's speed. The fan draws power from a 4-pin fan header installed on many of the newer motherboards. This helps to keeps fan noise to a minimum as it will only ramp up when needed. As such, there is no fan mate is included with this CPU cooler. However, 4 pin PWM fans are backwards compatible with 3 pin fan headers...but, you would lose the ability to control the fan speed by plugging a 4 pin PWM into a 3 pin fan header. This is something to consider, especially if your MB does not have a PWM header. In that case, you'll need a cooler with a fan mate/controller to control the fan's speed; otherwise the fan will run at full throttle.So does it work??? Well, it dropped my CPU temps at least 13C, if not more. No kidding. I have a Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) B3 stepping which I had running at 2.66GHz with idle temps of around 59C in an Antec P182 case with stock fans. With 9500 AT installed, I'm now at 2.9gigs with idle temps of 46C, 75C load with prime 95 running. Some will say this is hot, others will say it's about right. Such is the CPU I have! And yes, this cooler IS rated for Quad Core Processors! Check Zalman's website!!!If you're not into mega overclocking, don't want fan mates, or huge coolers, this is definitely worth looking into.Positive: PWM fan, no fan mate, Quiet, sturdy (none of those dumb locking pins), and not too big.Negative: None found, unless you want to count having to remove the MB for installation.Overall: 100% satisfied.