Zalman 8700

[Pete]

I didn't have a Max Orb at home, just a V1. But considering that the Zalman 8700 has the performance of 4 heatpipes and is all copper, it's much more similar to the V1 also with 4 heatpipes and all copper design. Both sport a 110mm fan and has a pretty blue LED in the fan. The main difference is one is a tower and the other is a top-down. Here is a picture of both side by side.





So here is the testbed.

Motherboard: Abit AN9 Fatality
CPU: AMD64 X2 6000+
RAM: Kingston HyperX 4GB
HD: Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM SATA
Video: eVGA 8800GTS 640MB
Chassis: Thermaltake Aguila (Shares same chassis as Armor Jr.)
Environment: My room next to the LCD TV



Burn Software: Prime95 (2 instances for dual core)

I did the In-Place large FFT's torture test. It generates maximum heat.

Test results.

I did the V1 first since it was already installed. I didnt do any idle tests, just load tests. Here is the end result:



Then I replaced the V1 with the Zalman 8700 and here is the end result:




I was really surprised. So surprised I tested it twice. Took it off, re-applied paste and tested again with the same result. Although performance isn't as good as the V1, I do have to say that even at a higher RPM, the Zalman was much quieter than the V1 at full speed. I would also like to say that the 8700 is a low profile cooler and I would use it in a HTPC case for how quiet it is and for cases that wont fit big coolers such as the V1 or the Typhoon. The Max Orb is much larger in size and I know is louder than the 8700. For those that have HTPC's where silence is important and there is limited space, which is the case for most HTPC's, the Zalman 8700 is the way to go. No, the performance is not there in this case but if I had a Bach HTPC or a Mozart HTPC Chassis and I'm not over-clocking or pushing the CPU constantly, the 8700 is no doubt a serious consideration.

[gvblake22]

WOW! Almost 80ºC! I can't believe you let your processor run that hot, I would have been afraid of a meltdown! Doesn't look like I'll be bothering with the CNPS8700 anytime soon...

[[Dr. V]]

I'll without a doubt always choose the Cooler Master GeminII. Right now, it's the best cooler available. No, it's not just a CPU cooler...which is partly why it's so good. But also, the CPU temps are the best around. AND with two 120mm fans for it, it's still one of the cheapest high end offerings.

[Panda Man]

Don't feed in to the TT propaganda! :P haha, interesting results TTPete, thanks for sharing them and for the warning to stay away from the 8700. You know, I think this is the first bad thing I've ever heard about any zalman cooling product :O

[Pete]

Just put up some pics. I know, rats nest...

I dont think its bad. The Zalman double agent told me right off the bat its not even in the same class as the V1 or the high end coolers. Also, it was pretty warm in my room. My AC was broke.

It's a total HTPC cooler. Quiet and low profile.

[JazzyJake]

can you link up a place to get this cooler?
we're working on spec'ing out an HTPC rig to put up on the site and that cooler certainly looks like a winner for it.

[Pete]

Heh... Cooler is not released for sale yet ;)

[Dread]

How much clearance over the RAM is there on that Zalman Pete?
Looks like it is almost touching them.

[Pete]

There is very little. I would say a couple mm. clearance.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by TTPete

There is very little. I would say a couple mm. clearance.

EEESH, hopefully you don't plan on upgrading to some OCZ Reaper or Corsair Dominator DHX RAM!