Zalman CNPS9500 LED

The Fan

The blue LED fan is 'embedded' into the heatsink, with the fins acting as the side walls. This unique design not only protects allows all the airflow generated by the fan to cool down the fins, increasing its cooling efficiency.

The fan used in this cooler is almost the same size as a generic 92mm fan. It is rated at a maximum speed of 2600 RPM, with a noise level of 27.5 dB.

The specifications for this LED fan are slightly different from the non-LED fan in CNPS9500 AT, but there should not be a significant performance difference.

At its maximum speed, it's not particularly loud but it would not be acceptable to those who like their computers to be quiet.

If you have a few case fans running at full speed, then the noise from this fan shouldn't bother you. For silent cooling enthusiasts, the noise might not be acceptable though.

In case you are wondering, the fan is removable for easy cleaning. When it collects too much dust, you can easily remove it for a thorough cleaning, so no worries.

Fan Mate 2

This is what the Zalman Fan Mate 2 fan controller looks like. If the fan is too noisy, you can always use this fan controller to reduce its speed.

Issues With The Zalman CNPS9500 LED

The only thing we have a real problem with is the fan controller. Even when the knob is turned to the maximum, the fan won't run at the full speed.

I don't have the exact numbers, but the maximum output from the fan controller is approximately 10-11V. This explains why the fan won't run at its full speed. If you want the fan to run at its full speed, you will have to plug its power connector directly to a motherboard 3-pin power connector.

Other than that issue, the CNPS9500 LED was a really well-designed cooler. Great job, Zalman!