Zalman
Most people think you need bigger heatsinks to get better cooling. However, Zalman doesn’t think so and they’re ready to prove it. Zalman is introducing new innovative technology, the first of its kind, V-Shaped Dual Independent Design. Zalman has removed the center of the heatsink, moved the heat pipes to the side and left an empty space in the center. Zalman has dubbed the empty space as the ‘thermal control space’. To account for lost surface area from removing the center, Zalman has placed the fins very close together, and is using tapered aluminum to disallow heat escaping from the back or sides. Now since the hot air can’t escape, a 120mm fan on the front blows the hot air over the heat pipes to provide the final step in the cooling process. All of that is great, but how loud is it? Well, the V-Shape design is part of Zalman’s CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System) line. The CNPS line focuses on silence and performance, so you won’t have to listen to an airplane taking off to get great performance. Below is an overview of all the new Zalman CNPS products:
CNPS11X Extreme:
Design: V-Shape
Size: 135(L)x80(W)x154(H)mm
Weight: 600g
Heat Dissipation: 7,600cm2
Fan Size: 120mm
Noise level: 17-33dbA (w/o RC33P)
Fan Speed: 1,000~1,950 RPM (+/- 10% (w/o RC33P))
CNPS7X:
Design: V-Shape
Size: 90(L)x127(W)x135(H)mm
Weight: 345g
Heat Dissipation Area: 3,456cm2
Fan Size: 92mm
Noise Level: 19~27dbA (w/o RC33P)
Fan Speed: 1,350~1,950 RPM (+/- 10% (w/o RC33P))
CNPS5X:
Size: 127(L)x64(W)x134(H)mm
Weight: 320g
Heat Dissipation Area: 2,872cm2
Fan Size: 92mm
Noise Level: 20-32dbA
Fan Speed: 1,400 – 2,800 RPM
While the CNPS5X looks similar to the CNPS11X Extreme, the 5X isn’t a true V-Shape design. However, the 5X is still a great cooler, and is aimed for entry level computer users. The CNPS5X is packaged with a new mounting bracket system which doesn’t require any screwdrivers or other tools. With the mounting bracket system, you just push the pins down and bam, your heatsink is installed and ready to go. The mounting bracket system also supports multiple Zalman coolers such as the 1155, 1156 and the 775.
Finally, each cooler comes with its own thermal paste (Zalman STG2), which is similar to Arctic Silver. Zalman has definitely put together great packages!
Zalman Cases
Z90 Plus – (Successor to the Z7 Plus)
The Z90 Plus is a completely blacked out (no metal showing inside or out) mid-sized tower. It features removable dust filters that are dish-washable (yes, no joke), can fit up to a 290mm video card (GTX580, HD6970), and features a fan speed control with 7 systems fans. All of this together is a super versatile and affordable case.
GS1200 – (Successor to the Gs1000 Plus)
The GS1200 has front flip doors which expose six hot swappable drive bays, improved airflow thanks to the 200mm fan on the side, 200mm fan on the top, 120mm rear and 2x92mm in the front. Every single opening on the GS1200 is dust filtered, it has a 350mm interior so any video card will fit, USB 3.0 support, and a hot swap on top too. Overall this case is a beast and we haven’t even talked about the awesome voltage meter that measures the CPU and two video cards. If you want a case that can do anything, the GS1200 will definitely take care of you.
Zalman HDD Enclosures
Zalman is getting ready to unleash their HDD Enclosures on the world. The Zalman enclosures will come in three flavors, HE100, VE200 & HE250, Zalman’s HDD enclosures are sleek and also have some extra added benefits over a standard enclosure. For instance, the VE200 comes with ISO loading software pre-installed. The loading software allows the drive to cloak itself as a Blu-ray drive, so you don’t have to worry about codecs or anything else. If your computer can play a Blu-ray disc, then the VE200 will allow you to play any Blu-ray ISO backup flawlessly.
