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Test Setup

Gigabyte KN88XP
Windows XP Pro SP1
Motherboard Monitor 5
Prime95
Seagate Barracuda SATA V 120 GB
GeForceFX 5950 Ultra
Gigabyte 3DCooler PRO
Gigabyte 3DCooler ULTRA
Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu

Ambient temperature during testing was 25 C / 76 F.

Measurements for the temperatures were done on an open work bench and not inside of a case.

Measurements for noise were done with just a powersupply and the lone cooler in an open area.

Temperatures

We've switched our test platform over from the venerable Athlon XP over to the Athlon 64 3400+. Measurements were taken off of a Gigabyte K8NNXP Nforce 3 based motherboard. The processor was allowed to heat up over a period of 45 minutes while running Prime95 with the in place FFTs for maximum heat output.

The Zalman manages to cool better than both Gigabyte coolers at the low speed setting by a single degree. At the high speed fan setting we see the 3DCooler ULTRA perform the same as the Zalman. Impressive performance from the Zalman so far.

Noise

One of the main complaints that we had about the 3DCooler Ultra was the fact that it was much louder than the PRO version especially at the maximum setting because of an additional 500rpm in fan speed. The extra noise really limited the usefulness of the 3DCooler. Noise is an area that Zalman is known for and the expectation here is that they will perform very well. We mentioned previously that at a low speed setting the 3DCoolers should be very quiet inside a closed case. Noise measurements were taken from an Omega HHSL1. For further details on noise measurements and a further explanation of decibel ratings refer to this guide.

The noise levels on the Zalman did not disappoint. At the lowest setting the fan was barely audible from about a meter away. It was so quiet in fact that our DB meter did not pick up a difference, the ambient noise was louder than the fan output. Inside of a case, it should not be heard at all. Impressively, at the high setting, the noise level was subjectively about that of the 3DCooler at its lowest setting . The best news is that even at this setting, the Zalman manages to cool as well or better than its two competitors.