Reviews for Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 Processor Cooling Fan & Heatsink

The Best Air AM2 Cooler!

Strengths: Cools amazingly well with the new heatpipe design, looks cool in your case, easy to install (don't have to remove motherboard to install) and is near silent on low-medium.

Weakness: A little heavy and it is somewhat large, but 90% of people using this heatsink won't have a problem (see below). Kinda pricy but you get what you pay for.

This cooler is the same as the Zalman CNPS9500 LED CPU Cooler just with some platting material on the outside (it is still made primarily of copper), fits the AM2 socket (which Zalman is not selling a bracket to convert the original CNPS9500 cooler, so this version is your only option if you have AM2) and as far as I know performs similar. Eventhough the heatsink is larger than most, it still fit easily in my case and doesn't stick up very high at all (4.9 in). Plus, the heatsink can also be fitted in 4 directions if one way doesn't work because the bracket can fit through the heatpipes. Took my temps from around 60C full load (stock) to around 45-50C with the CNPS9500. If you're looking for a great air cooler for AM2 that doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner than this is it.

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One of the best socket AM2 coolers

Strengths: Silent most of the time, bearable noise on full setting (with case closed)

Weakness: Very large, somewhat pricy

I use this with an Abit AN-M2 mobo and Athlon X2 3600 (Brisbane core). Coupled with the fan speed control from the BIOS, this is one of the most silent rigs I have built. I am also using Arctic Silver as the thermal paste. I had not seen a CPU idling around 30 deg C for a long time (and this is with the 24 deg C ambient temperature).

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Zalman 9500

Strengths: Style, cooling

Weakness: Price, size

Got this in the mail for building a power PC. Actually the wrong part for building an LGA 775 system. I was surprised at the build quality of this fan, and how big and solid it is. Will be getting a 9500 AT for my system. I am looking forward.

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Efficient heatsink-fan

Strengths: This heatsink-fan cools remarkably well, especially considering its low noise level. My X2 5600+ idles at 30 degrees in an Ultra Wizard case with poor circulation.

Weakness: Orienting the fan in the correct direction (to blow over the CPU and toward the rear exhaust fan) forces me to slightly imprison a RAM slot on my EVGA nForce 590 motherboard.

I strongly recommend using Arctic Silver instead of the stock thermal grease if you're already paying this much. Otherwise you are not realizing the full potential of this excellent cooler. This is not of much consequence, but I had to remove the side air duct on my Ultra Wizard case for the Zalman 9500 to fit.

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Performance at a price

Strengths: Performs great, possibly the best you can get for 939/940/AM2 socket, just behind its big brother, the 9700NT. Easy installation, do not have to remove motherboard, it uses the stock retention bracket.

Weakness: Rather loud at full speed, you'll want to use the fan-mate that comes with it, or a fan controller. It cools just as well at lower rpm. Expensive compared to similar coolers.

Its a great cooler, but if you're going to dish out this kind of money, you might as well get the 9700NT with the bigger fan. It performs the same but quieter. The nickel-plated copper on this cooler is very sleek looking. Green fan is subtle, not too bright, very unique. A great buy all around. Get this one if you have clearance issues with the 9700NT.

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Zalman 9500

Strengths: Quite and working!

Weakness: None so far...

It is working and very quite.
I bought it to overclock my processor AMD X2 5400+.
It works with the processor without noise. In addition, it looks so good.
Overall I am fully satisfied with it.

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HUGE, but practically silent

Strengths: Large surface area means maximum cooling with minimal noise. I can't hear the fan above my other case fans. Comes with a Fan Mate 2, which allows you to manually adjust the speed of the fan.

Weakness: Huge! So big and heavy that it is actually above the recommended weight for an AM2 cooler...but its not like its going to snap your motherboard, so it should be fine.

This is the best air cooler for socket AM2, hands down. Will lower your temps. by at least 10 degrees if coming from a stock heatsink + fan. Would easily buy again.
Fan Mate 2 is an added bonus, so you can manually crank up the speed under heavy load, then easy it back for light usage. Or you can just let the motherboard control it.
Also has a green LED.

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Zalman CNPS9500 AM2

Strengths: So quiet! I can barely hear this fan. Amazing! Easily installed. I am usually worried when it comes to mounting the CPU fan. It can sometimes be risky to the MB but this one went on fine.

Weakness: The size is a bit big so it may not fit all cases. That's why it's quiet though. Worked out fine in my Antec Solo.

If this fan will fit in your case, get it. I am so happy with it, Zalman will be my standard for fans from now on.
FYI, I didn't use the Fan Mate 2 speed controller. I went directly to the motherboard and let it control it.
MB is Gigabyte GA-M61PM-S2.

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BEST AM2 COOLER OUT THERE

Strengths: performance and ease of installation

Weakness: Zero Zip Nada

First note is artic silver didnt do any better a job than what is given to you by Zalman. I averaged a 12 degree difference across the board whether it was loaded or in Idle mode. I found it easy to install and even though it is somewhat heavy and bulky. I have used Zalman coolers now on all my comps and never have I regretted one install

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Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 CPU Cooler

Strengths: Great cooling Quiet

Weakness: Slight vibrating noise that I haven't had on previous Zalman coolers

This CPU cooler is an awesome product if you are interested in quiet computing. It has a large, slow-spinning fan, but it has a relatively small footprint so it doesn't even come close to interferring with any other components on the board.

I'm not really a fan of LEDs inside my case, but this does have a green one built in.

The only problem is that you can hear the fins vibrating against the heat pipes if this isn't on the slowest setting. Fortunately, that is the setting I use anyway.

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Zalman CNPS9500 AM2

Testseek.com has collected 7 expert reviews for Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 and the average expert rating is 94 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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