Keep your PC cool - and quiet (Zalman CNPS 8000)

Member Name: mwaddington

Product:	Zalman CNPS 8000
Date:	24/06/07 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: low profile, variable fan speed

Disadvantages: not completely silent

I bought this fan as part of a selfbuild PVR system, which allows me to receive and record Freeview on a PC. The PVR sits in the living room and so needs a quiet cooling fan. After some research I bought this cooler as a compromise of cost against quiet cooling, if you are after completely silent cooling then there are better options - at a price. In "Silent mode" the fan runs quietly (around 18 dBA), and can only be heard during periods of "silence" on the TV. It is supplied with a useful fan speed controller with it which allows you to vary the speed manually - making a big difference to noise levels. One attractive feature of the fan, is that it will fit in low profile/slimline cases, although you should check dimensions before purchasing. The unit is relatively straightforward to fit, though some experience with fitting PC components would be helpful. It is compatible with Intel Socket 775 (including the latest core2 processors) and AMD 754,939 and 940 CPUs. The build quality of the fan assembly looks solid and professional; the fine cooling fins and heat pipes provide effective cooling.

Summary: A good compromise between cost and quiet cooling