Testing

The "CNPS' part of the Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu stands for "Computer Noise Prevention System' and any Zalman product with that in its model number designates it suitable for a silent system. At low fan speeds, it definitely fits the bill as I couldn't hear it even with the side of the case off. Turn the fan on high, however, and you will definitely know it is running. I wouldn't call it loud though. There is no high-pitch whine to really annoy me, but I do hear it above the rest of the fans in my case.

For my test system I am using a DFI LanParty PRO875B motherboard and a 2.8GHz/800FSB Northwood processor in a Thermaltake XaserV case. The side intake fan bracket was removed leaving me with the front intake fan, the top and rear exhaust fans and the power supply for airflow. For my "idle' readings I closed out the unnecessary applications and was left with 0-1% CPU utilization. For load testing, I ran the "In-Place Large FFT's' torture test of Prime95. The external ambient temperature (room temp) throughout testing was 21° Celsius. Let's take a look at the numbers:

CPU Temperature
(Show All Graphs) (Collapse Graphs)

Idle

Load

Zalman 7000 (LOW speed)

Zalman 7000 (HIGH speed)

Zalman 7700 (LOW speed)

Zalman 7700 (HIGH speed)

AeroCool HT101

Thermaltake 103 Fanless

33

32

33

32

34

38

0

°Celsius

100

 

 

Idle

Load

Zalman 7000 (LOW speed)

Zalman 7000 (HIGH speed)

Zalman 7700 (LOW speed)

Zalman 7700 (HIGH speed)

AeroCool HT101

Thermaltake 103 Fanless

51

46

50

45

48

62

0

°Celsius

100

 

 

In terms of pure CPU cooling performance, the Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu does an excellent job. It only lags about 1C compared to the CNPS7700-Cu and, at high fan speed, is a couple degrees cooler than the Aerocool HT-101. At low fan speed, the CPU temp went up 5C to 51C which is certainly tolerable especially considering how quiet the heatsink is at that setting.

Looking at the northbridge temperature readings, we can get a good idea of how much "bonus' airflow this heatsink produces. This extra airflow keeps not only your chipset cooler, but also the VRU (voltage regulator unit) which will help ensure a more stable system. While the CNPS7000B-Cu lags quite a bit behind the much larger CNPS7700-Cu at all fan settings, it outperforms the Aerocool HT-101 even at low speed!

Conclusion

If you had asked me before I wrote this review which heatsink I would recommend, the Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu and AlCu would have been at the top of my list. With the introduction of the CNPS7700-Cu, it has moved down a notch but is still a very good heatsink; especially for situations where the larger 7700 isn't suitable. At low fan speeds you won't hear it and it will still outperform many other coolers.

You can pick up this heatsink for $37 (on sale) from SharkaCorp which is eight dollars less than the CNPS7700-Cu and thirteen less than the, poorer performing, Aerocool HT-101. That brings me to my final thought which is this: If you don't want to spend the extra eight bucks to get a 7700, or the 7700 is simply too big, get the 7000, you won't be disappointed.

Pros

Excellent performance
Silent at low fan speed
Extra airflow for chipset and VRU

Cons

Heavy
May not fit all motherboards