In this review we have tested the Zalman fan cooler CNPS 3100 Cooler and measured the temperature results with our test setup. Additionally you can listen to an embedded MP3 fan sound sample of the fan on the respective heatsink.
| Description | Zalman CNPS 3100 fan cooler |
| Overall size in L/B/H | o 52/100/65 mm The heat sink protrudes beyond the base – see Fit for Fan guide ! Due to the fan-like design, however, the fan only reaches larger components. |
| flow rate | +++ 31 CFM (~2400 rpm) |
| noise level | +++ 28 dB (A) The slow 80mm bracket fan is quite quiet and has a pleasant noise. Listen online: |
| assembly | o The metal clamp is inserted into the fan without locking and is therefore very loose. Now press the clamp down with a screwdriver. Since only a small hole is provided to hold the screwdriver, you could slip off very easily ! In my opinion, this construction should be modified after a while. |
| Cooling result | +++ The cooling result is quite respectable ! The CPU reached 41°C at 1.75 V and 45°C at 1.90 Volt. |
| Overall impression | +++ With this copper fan cooler, Zalman has succeeded in creating a very special combination of good looks and great cooling results. In the quite large cardboard box lies the large fan, a multilingual manual, heat conducting paste, metal clip, adapter cable and an 80 mm fan on a bracket. After the fan has been mounted, the large fan is screwed to up to 3 slot bezels, so that it blows directly onto the large copper fans. This way all surrounding PC components are cooled, which certainly can’t harm an overclocked PC. The disadvantage is of course that you have to dismount the big fan to get access to the CPU, but that’s a good thing for a cool PC. It is also suitable for Peltier elements ! Pictures …  |