Zalman CNPS10X EXTREME Ultra-Quiet CPU Cooler

The CNPS10X is Zalman’s next generation flagship CPU cooler, offering market-leading performance, multisocket compatibility (including socket 1156) and debuting the new “PWM Mate” fan speed controller.

Extreme design for extreme cooling

Out with flowers and in with towers - Zalman’s new CNPS10X EXTREME Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler is destined to put Zalman back at the top of the tree as far as efficient CPU cooling is concerned. Although arguably not as “pretty” as their older Flower Cooler design, the cooling benchmarks speak for themselves and there can be no question that the CNPS10X EXTREME is going to rock the market in the new decade ahead.

At the heart of its design, the CNPS10X EXTREME consists of an optimally designed stack of black pearl nickel-plated aluminium fins which disperse heat away from the processor via five heatpipes. The high-capacity ultra quiet 120mm fan then quickly cools the fins, condensing the liquid inside the sealed heatpipes so that the process can be continually repeated. The CNPS10X EXTREME provides fast and effective cooling for processors with a thermal output of up to a massive 340 watts of heat!

PWM Mate - brand new fan speed control system

Of course cooling isn’t everything - you have to be able to live with the acoustic noise produced by the fan on any CPU cooler, and this is where the CNPS10X really excels in its versatility. Supplied in the box is Zalman’s new PWM Mate (patent pending) - the world’s first RPM controllable PWM fan speed controller. It can be clipped into the top of the cooler for neatness of installation, or for ultimate control you can install it on the exterior of your PC case using the included extension cable and double-sided sticky pad.

In automatic mode, the PWM Mate can be set to operate up to a choice of three maximum fan speeds - 1500, 1950 and 2150 RPM. The CNPS10X fan speed will then be automatically adjusted according to CPU temperature from 1000 RPM up to that maximum speed of your choosing. So when your computer is idling, it will be very quiet. But at the same time you have the peace of mind that when the CPU is really working hard, it will enjoy the safety of extra cooling as needed. And of course, your choice of maximum fan speed is remembered by the PWM Mate even when the PC is switched off and back on again.

Alternatively, you may like to run the fan at a fixed speed (manual mode), and here the speed of the fan can be adjusted from 1000-2150 RPM using the manual speed dial on the PWM Mate. This method is a good choice where you are using a processor with a reasonably low thermal output and you find that even at high CPU loads and low fan speeds, processor temperature is perfectly acceptable. Or you may prefer to run the fan at a fairly high fixed speed, to maintain a minimum CPU temperature under all circumstances, for example if you are trying to establish a maximum stable overclock setting.

Black and blue - bruising performance

Its black nickel-plating and blue LED are very easy on the eye and will ensure the CNPS10X looks great in any PC system. The “black pearl” nickel plating not only looks good, but will ensure long-term corrosion resistance, preventing gradual oxidisation which tarnishes the aesthetics and performance of cheaper products. The plating is beautifully applied to the CNPS10X fins, heatpipes and mirror-smooth base.

The fan is a high quality 2-ball bearing fan with blue LED. It has an expected lifespan of over 50,000 hours (nearly 6 years continuous use) and it uses a redesigned motor with no “switching noise”. Switching noise is high frequency harmonic electrical noise which occurs as a result of voltage regulation, and is often the cause of auditory discomfort and even headaches.

Best-performing thermal grease ZM-STG2 included

No CPU cooler can perform at its best unless it makes good thermal contact with the processor it is protecting. Included with the CNPS10X is a syringe of Zalman’s newly-developed ZM-STG2 high performance super thermal grease, good for at least three applications.

Universal CPU compatibility

The CNPS10X EXTREME includes all clips and fixings to fit almost any modern processor so you can buy in confidence knowing that even if you change your CPU in the future, chances are good that you will be able to re-use your cooler. The EXTREME is compatible with Intel LGA1155/6, 1366, 775 and AMD AM3, AM2+, AM2, 754, 939 and 940. All single, dual and quad core processors are supported.

CNPS10X QUIET vs CNPS10X EXTREME vs CNPS10X FLEX

Similarities - The physical size of the coolers are similar, with the FLEX version being slightly smaller. They are all manufactured from the same materials, have five U-shaped heatpipes as well as being compatible with the same CPU sockets. They are also supplied with Zalman’s ZM-STG2 Thermal Compound.

Differences - Immediately the first difference you will notice is finish of the coolers. The EXTREME features a “black pearl” nickel plating finish, while the QUIET and FLEX are more au naturale, except for the distinctive blue or black band which runs around the centre of the cooler.

The biggest, and some would say the most important difference is the fan and how it is controlled. You can read how the fan is cleverly controlled on the EXTREME version by visiting its webpage. The QUIET fan however is controlled by a FANMATE 2, this gives the user total control over how fast (or slow) the fan spins. The fan supplied with the QUIET rotates at a minimum of 700 RPM (compared to the EXTREME’s 1000 RPM) and according to Zalman is produces less then 17 db(A), in fact Zalman could not measure the noise of the cooler because it was so low, hence why they say “Unmeasurable”!

As for the black banded FLEX, this version is not supplied with a fan at all. Zalman have produced a special version of the CNPS10X heatsink that will allow for any 120mm fan to be used, in fact you can even install two fan for ultra-performance.

If it is proving difficult to choose which cooler to purchase, just ask yourself this question; Do I want ultimate cooling, ultimate flexibility or ultimate silence? Once you have the answer you will know which cooler will be suitable for you.

From left to right; CNPS10X EXTREME, CNPS10X QUIET, CNPS10X FLEX