Zalman CPU Fan with 92mm Fan LED

While I expected a drop in cpu temperatures based on the simple fact that I was swapping out a standard CPU fan for a more sophisticated one ... I was amazed at the difference!Now it may be a case of not just the Zalman being a superb cooler but also possibly a subpar thermal paste job on the formerly installed fan. But either way I have optimal temps and couldn't be happier.My cpu is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q950 running at 3ghz, standard settings etc.The original fan that came with it was an Intel Pentium D Socket 775 Heat Sink and Fan D34017-002. The D34017 served my cpu admirably and I was able to handle a lot thrown at it. But the combination of frequent high-pitched noise from the fan (as the system auto-adjusted the RPMs on high load) + the very high temperatures lead me on a search for a new solution. The Zalman filled in wonderfully.At this point the only real fan noise I can hear is one of my antec case fans, which is great as the D34017 was quite noisy at peak usage.Took some temp measurements before and after and again it is possible that when I installed the D34017 I didn't do a great job of applying the thermal paste hence the reason my temps were so high previously. But I'd like to believe that what I'm achieving with the Zalman 9900 simply wouldn't be possible under the same conditions with the D34017 AND at such a quiet level of operation.CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 at 3ghzMy IDLE scenario is:-Win 10- Piriform Speccy Running (the only actively running application)Background Apps:- Bittorrent Sync- Avira- CrystalDiskInfo- ProcessExplorer- VirtualClone Drive- Cobian Backup- Flux- WinsplitRunning Piriform Speccy I got the following avg temperature measurements for the IDLE load scenario:- Avg temp with the Intel D34017-002 fan: 60°C- Avg temp with the Zalman 9900A LED fan: 41°CFor my Heavy Load (which honestly isn't exactly heavy (as opposed to running an actual stress test) but was enough to recreate the high temps I wanted to eliminate, we have the IDLE scenario + the following apps running/open:- Piriform Speccy- Winamp 5 mp3 stream playback- Paint.NET- Google Chrome - 1 tab "Inbox by Gmail" / 1 tab Youtube 1080p 60fps video at full screen- Windows Explorer Window- Cmder- Franz Messenger Desktop App- Microsoft Outlook 2016"Heavy" load scenario temps:- Avg temp with the Intel D34017-002 fan: 85°C- Avg temp with the Zalman 9900A LED fan: 47°CAgain my testing is fairly crude but it was enough for me to be happy with the improvements. To know that instead of jumping from 60 degrees at idle to as high as 85 degrees under a heavier load to now only an increase of 6 degrees with the Zalman? That's pretty awesome. And it's super quiet!Now regarding the installation, I'm using a 775 setup and I will say the install definitely took me some time. I've dealt with somewhat difficult installs before. This was by no means an easy install. It wasn't incredibly difficult but it took me some time. It's also true that I didn't fully follow the instructions mainly because I got stuck with the backplate install and this square, plastic spacer that's supposed to go between the motherboard and the backplate for the fan. But I found that piece simply made it virtually impossible for me to get the bolts far enough through the motherboard so that I could successfully screw in the fan from the top side.In additon, my Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 had it's own "quad6" cooling system that included a copper heatsink square plate directly beneath the motherboard where the backplate needed to go. So I had to unscrew and remove that heatsink component completely (which didn't seem to visibly disable or impair the remaining heat sink "silent pipe" structure that was partially connected to that plate on the top side).Lastly, I found the screwing in of the fan fairly awkward given the screws placement so close to the heat sink fins.My advice is(at least for the 775 setup): it's a worthy cpu fan upgrade but be prepared to have some patience, read the documentation as well as watch a couple Zalman videos to see how folks installed for scenarios that fit your install version eg 775 vs other socket types.Due to the installation difficulties I was inclined to give this a 4 star review...but I'm just so happy with the reduced temperatures and quiet operation that I'll keep it at 5.

I noticed some people are unhappy with the lack of installation instructions, but when you buy a peice of performance hardware like this, you should know what your doing.. I had no problems installing this beast, no mroe than a good 10 minutes of cleaning and rearranging. I would actually be more leary if it was any easier. Also, it came with just enough thermal paste to apply. I personally wanted to use a little more, but i may have been a bit over zealous, and the amount that is included is just enough.It runs Very quiet, and keeps my CPU running quite cool, enough to overclock (although, i have a performance cooling case, on top of this fan.) and the blue LED is pretty omnious.my ONLY Gripe, would have to be the adjustable fan speed attachment. I originally installed it, only to remove it minutes later. I thought it would be unique to have a little turn knob to control the fan speed, but it prevents my BIOS and any of my third party programs from effecting the fan speed, which isnt a serious issue, but its very anoyying that my BIOS freak out evey boot up, and i have to okay the fact that it couldnt communicate with the fan. However, as soon as i removed this attachment, i had absolutley no problems.All in all, im 100% pleased with my purchase, it was exactly what i needed. Its quiet, its well built, performs well, and looks nice. If it gives me any problems in the foture, ill be sure to remember to come edit this review, otherwise, 5/5.

Typically the loudest thing in your PC is the CPU fan. When I set about to make my PC quiet for the living room the CPU fan had to go. Enter the CNPS9500, a truly outstanding product from Zalman.I attached this fan to an external power supply for testing and was amazed at the mass of air being pushed through the heatsink blades while there was nearly no noise at all. Comparatively my Intel heatsink fan that came with my P4 HT screams like a jet engine. More realistically it sounds rather like a dust buster set on low. Regardless that amount of constant noise can become grating.The installation was very simple on my ASUS P4P800 Motherboard. The heatsink is a bit heavy so I was prepared for the worst. Apparently on some AMD boards you must install a support plate on the opposite side of the motherboard which almost certainly means removing the board from the PC case. Fortunately for me th CNPS9500 attaches to the standard heatsink brace found on motherboards for socket 478.Cooling appears to work well. My CPU does operate at roughly the same temperature as before. Perhaps on a few occasions the temperature is down by a few degrees. I would imagine that the sheer size of this cooler would appeal to overclockers because the heat dissipation probably has enormous potential.A not-so-obvious benefit of the CNPS950 in most PC cases is that the fan is oriented perpindicular to the motherboard so it will help blow air toward the rear exhaust fan or out through vents.I purchased a Zalman VF700 for my video card at the same time as the CNPS9500. The two Zalman heatsinks are finely crafted and look like they meet some exacting tolerances. Both of them are very quiet and made me realize how loud the fan on my power supply is now that it's not being drowned out by my old CPU fan.Some of the edges are a little sharp. I think it isn't from poor manufacturing but rather because the blades are fairly thin and there are many of them, smoothing them individually would be an expensive process I'm sure.Nearly a perfect product. Before purchase check the dimensions and verify that you have enough room in your PC for the CNPS9500. Also consider that some motherboards will require you to access the area of the board behind the CPU making it likely you will need to remove the board from your PC to install this heatsink.It may also be heavy enough to wreck a poorly constructed motherboard.