ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 CPU Cooler Review

[One4yu2c]

ZEROtherm doesn't shy away from challenges in the cooling industry, taking on the big dogs in a crowded cooling ring. Today's arena is the HL test bench, the new ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 will be pitted against some heavyweight competition. The Nirvana is ZEROtherm's latest CPU cooler and they sent the cooler to us confident that it can hold its own. We will be pitting the Nirvana up against the Zalman CNPS9700LED, which has resembled an all-around champion on this prolific test bench, with top notch cooling performance. This should be a great match up between two HSFs with vertically mounted fans and assistance from their included fan speed controllers.

First we want to take a closer look at the new guy before he enters the ring. We'll see if it appears the Nirvana has some new features to offer that might help it topple the champion. Is this cooler just an "average Joe" or is he a true contender? After that, we will ring the bell and see which of these two come out on top, where it really counts... in the cooling ring.
Matthew Page

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[gvblake22]

Wow, better cooling across the board compared to a very worthy rival! Too bad installation was so "tricky", thanks for the review Matt. How did the sound compare to the Zalman CNPS9700?

[_WBaS_]

Yeah I saw review on this HSF last week on an Italian site. This even outperformed the Thermalright Ultra 120, can't remember if it was the extreme edition or not. Looks to be a promising cooler!

Good review! :)

[screwballl]

wow very "cool" review
I may have found a replacement for my Scythe

[Yellowhello]

Great review and it looks like a great cooler. I like how it's not shaped like a butterfly...

[_WBaS_]

Yeah I don't understand why they went with the butterfly appearance... but I'm glad they moved away from it!

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Wow, better cooling across the board compared to a very worthy rival! Too bad installation was so "tricky", thanks for the review Matt. How did the sound compare to the Zalman CNPS9700?

While the install was "tricky," it wasn't horrible. I was just worried about stripping a screw or damaging the fan blades. But it held up very well. Took it off and put it back on several times and it held up with no probs and it got faster every time. I was just a little scared the first time :)

It is quieter than the CNPS9700. There is very little noise difference between the high and low fan speeds on it. It is almost as quiet as the Scythe Katana 2 that gives itself a 22dBa rating. The Nirvana gives itself a 39dBa but I think that is way high (either that or I just got lucky with a quiet fan on this particular review sample).

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

I want to thank HL for all the hard work and quality service to this community.

I read this article and decided to buy this product ... and all I can say is WOW!

This is really the best air cooling solution I have seen ... period.

Superior to the many other air cooling solutions that I have used ... including some "direct touch heat-pipe" coolers and the Thermaltake "Big Typhoon" and the "Gemini 2."

Very nice review ... thanks again ... very nice product with great design and ease of use and excellent cooling!

[It was installed on our Video Server ... my daughters new quad ... she is lucky!]

[azianai]

I was gonna buy this to replace my Tuniq Tower, but then i'd have an extra S-flex lying around lol

[Parker]

Whoa man, talk about the bringing back from the dead!!!!

But nonetheless, excellent review!!

You gave you daughter a quad?!? She must be addicted to spider solitaire.... to need that much power.

JK LOL!!!

I've recommended this cooler many a time, it works wonders from what I hear.