Zalman 9700

[Tekki]

Regarding the PC in my signature, I was wondering if the Zalman 9700 would be a good choice or maybe I should just go for the Arctic Cooling Pro 7?

The thing is, the loudest thing in my PC right now is the HSF which slows at a lowly 1700rpm.

The decibel rating for the Zalman 9700 and the Gigabyte is 19 vs 21.

Since I am looking for a much quieter PC, this would seem like a good choice. Can anyone name any downsides to doing this?

[AzraelDarkangel]

The 9700 should be quieter. The G-Power Pro is actually is one of the louder coolers around, you can't always trust decibel ratings. I would think the Scythe Ninja, or Thermalright SI-128 would offer the best cooling for for slower quieter fans. I haven't seen many reviews for the 9700 yet so I couldn't say for sure how it compares.

[Tekki]

While I dont plan on doing much overclocking because I absolutely hate high temperatures, I will do some if I can keep my temperatures pretty low. Like 50 Load Max.

Now, to be honest, I have trouble telling if my PC is on or not because I just cannot hear the fans sometimes. Although I can hear it late at night when theres no other noise.

I'm not too sure on the passive HSFs such as the Scythe Ninja and throwing a fan on of my choice. I dont know why, it just feels safer to buy the whole package properly.

[Sneaky]

that zalman 9700 looks pretty beasty, but based on the same design as the 9500, which sucked pretty bad (expecially for the price)

I'll stick my Thermalright Ultra-120 :)

[AzraelDarkangel]

I don't see any problem with the 9700 so far, I haven't seen it for sale yet but it should be out anytime.

[Tekki]

I've actually found 3 sites which sell it for £50. A bit on the high side but it'll be worth it if it's quiet and can cool my PC.

Can those Thermaright 120s really cool? They're slightly cheaper £38 and I can use my Sharkoon 120mm fan on it I guess.... good plan?

[Firelord-OCHW]

How about the ThermalTake Big Typhoon? I can't hear the fan above anythng else in my box and very decent performance

[LagunaX]

I agree, my 2 TTBT's are quiet enuf...the VX is ok at max 2000rpm, and the original is fine to 2000rpm on a silverstone fm121. The loudest thing in my cases usually is the video card fan(s).

[AshkenAZoNi]

2000rpm?
I have TTBT [not VX] and it does 1350RPM according to BIOS and Asus tools.
and yes, its pretty quiet considering its performance, but if ur looking for quiet over performance youll find much better solutions.

[LagunaX]

2000rpm on the silverstone fm121(replaced orange fan). Above mid 2000's it starts to sound like a vacuum cleaner, lol:cool:

[lawrywild]

9700led looks pretty sick.

If I wasn't overclocking I'd go for one of those

[deeznuts]

that zalman 9700 looks pretty beasty, but based on the same design as the 9500, which sucked pretty bad (expecially for the price)

I'll stick my Thermalright Ultra-120 :)

I'm waiting for more reviews as I also want an Ultra-120 but want to see the 9700 results. However, the 9500 didn't suck pretty bad, it was pretty damn good when it first came out no? A bit pricey, but still a decent performer.

[Mats]

The SI-128 is not good for low speed fans, it's even worse than the SI-120/XP-120 since it got even more fins (78) than the two latter (52). Here you see a comparisation between XP-120, Ninja, and Ultra-120 (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article646-page3.html).

[AzraelDarkangel]

The SI-128 looks good here with low speed fan, at 1140 rpm is is right behind the Ultra-120 and ahead of the Ninja. At only 780 rpm it barely trails the ninja and is 2C better than the SI-120.
http://www.hartware.de/review_597_8.html
the performance loss for the SI-128 with ultra low speed fans might be more signifigant than the SI/XP-120 compared to high speed fans but the SI-128 cooling is so good it's still better better than the SI/XP-120.

[Judaeus Apella]

I've decided to bring this topic back from the dead to ask if anyone has actually seen reviews for this cooler. Im stumped as to why the hell Im having so much trouble finding one!

I got really excited when I saw a result turn up in Google, only for it to be some idiot comparing it to a Intel stock cooler. :brick: Does someone know this guy? Cause he needs a punch in the head...

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/Zalman_9700NT/index.shtml

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

And the point of that review was....

[Ender17]

I've decided to bring this topic back from the dead to ask if anyone has actually seen reviews for this cooler. Im stumped as to why the hell Im having so much trouble finding one!

I got really excited when I saw a result turn up in Google, only for it to be some idiot comparing it to a Intel stock cooler. :brick: Does someone know this guy? Cause he needs a punch in the head...

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/Zalman_9700NT/index.shtml

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

And the point of that review was....
I have one
E6300 @ 2.8GHz 1.4v vCore
Fanmate 2 set to lowest speed
Core Temp reports 51 C under Orthos blend test

[SilentHunter69]

i have a zalman 9700 idle temps are 45deg and 59 full load running 2 x orthos and 1 x prime95

[JoeBar]

I have a 9700 on my second rig, Athlon64 3800X2 @ 2.7ghz with 1.55v and it goes up to 57'C with 24'C room temp. It was about 4-5'C lower than the 9500 i used to have.

[Tonucci]

From what Ive seen in Madshrimps, the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro is better. You could add an low noise fan into it and make it even better.

[SparkyJJO]

From what Ive seen in Madshrimps, the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro is better. You could add an low noise fan into it and make it even better.
Better than what, the zalman 9500? If so that sucks, I spent extra cash on the 9500 over the freezer since I thought the zalman would be better :( I guess I should have done my research first. Oh well, I have the zalman now. Actually though I don't know if the freezer could mount on my naked opteron so maybe it wasn't a waste...

/thinking out loud

[David_L6]

Can't tell you how quiet it is because I have it on an oc'd E6700 and the fan is running pretty much full speed all the time. It does a decent job of cooling though. At 3.5GHz and 24°C ambient, the CPU rarely gets over 50°C while running WCG. I've never seen it get over 51°C.


Edit: So as not to confuse anyone - I have the Zalman 9700.

[Tonucci]

Yup, better than the 9500, both in noise and temps, i think its on par with the Zalman 9700:

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=15&artpage=1537&articID=384

[praesto]

Yup, better than the 9500, both in noise and temps, i think its on par with the Zalman 9700:

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=15&artpage=1537&articID=384

So basically, according to those results, it's not really worth buying anything else than one of those vicious ac freezer hsf's, unless you want something silent and don't care to pay 3x the price :P.

[SparkyJJO]

So basically, according to those results, it's not really worth buying anything else than one of those vicious ac freezer hsf's, unless you want something silent and don't care to pay 3x the price :P.
I was under the impression that the freezer is pretty quiet though, maybe quieter than my 9500....

[jmke]

use this roundup instead, it's of December 2006, instead of 2005 ;)

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=519

[Khaotic]

But, will this 9700 fit on an Asus Stirker Extreme with all the stock motherboard heatpipes still installed?

[Scyth3]

http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/Enzot...r-p-16493.html

You guys should try that over the 9700. Its cheaper and probably just as quiet and cool.

[Atom]

But, will this 9700 fit on an Asus Stirker Extreme with all the stock motherboard heatpipes still installed?
yes it does

[Space_Man]

I have the 9700 installed on my Asus Crosshair. Have a AMD 5000 clocked to 3.03GHz. Temps run 100 at active idle and 129*f and prolong full tilt with the overclocked settings. When set-up was not overclocked any it ran 90*f idle and 113*f at prolong full tilt. That is with my motherboard sensors reading 80*F at intake fan with exhaust fan maxing out at 105*F when system was at full throttle. Those intake and exhaust temps where with the stock set-up. I have not installed a program to read those sensors since I overclocked the set-up. I hope to get those temps with the overclocked set-up in next day or two. I have ran orthos, prime 95, memtest+ 1.7 all each for 24 hour plus with no errors. I have been very happy with the Zalman's performance so far. I am also using the Artic Silver 5. I have not lapped the heatsink or cpu yet but thinking of trying it soon to see if it change temps any. I also only paid $50 for my 9700NT at newegg like a month ago. They had an instant rebate offer on it.

[Lenny_Nero]

I am surprised at what I have read in this thread, as my 9500 seems to be better than some water cooling I have seen, with the rig in my sig unless there is something more done to the AM2 version.
I get high 20's and low to mid 30's in a room that is 22~24c. I dont have my x2 over clocked much, its just short of 2.6 GHz as I am working with some new memory. I just ran Orthos for 1 hr 20 minutes and I managed to get it to 36c. I only have two 120 mm fans as extra cooling 1 in 1 out.

[Cupcake]

I have the 9500 and I love it

I can only imagine the 9700 would be 20% better :D