Zalman 9900MAX versus 9500A-LED

[LittleTinyScooby]

Anyone compare these 2 coolers?

One of them is 5 years old, and the other is brand new.

I have the 5 year old one that I recently ordered by mistake. Wondering if it is worth the RMA or not to get the 9900MAX?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118074

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

 

[fullvietFX]

9900MAX owns the 9500A.

 

[Forceman]

And I'm guessing both of them are probably owned by something like the Hyper 212+. Could be wrong about the MAX though (although all caps in a name is usually code for "trying to trick people into thinking this is good").

 

[LittleTinyScooby]

And I'm guessing both of them are probably owned by something like the Hyper 212+. Could be wrong about the MAX though (although all caps in a name is usually code for "trying to trick people into thinking this is good").

Everyone keeps talking about the 212+. I just hate the way it looks.

Besides, the 9900 lights up and it looks pretty.

I know it's probably more difficult to change the fan however. Hope it doesn't go out.

 

[fullvietFX]

The 9900MAX is both quieter and cooler than the 212+.

/thread

 

[Forceman]

The 9900MAX is both quieter and cooler than the 212+.

/thread

Hmmm. Looks like it is pretty decent, if a tad noisy (according to the Xbit and Guru3D reviews). Better than I expected though - albeit at a bit of a price tag.

 

[FemmeFatale]

go with the 99000

 

[LittleTinyScooby]

Hmmm. Looks like it is pretty decent, if a tad noisy (according to the Xbit and Guru3D reviews). Better than I expected though - albeit at a bit of a price tag.

New Egg has it on sale for $64 (the blue one). $54 after rebate, but the rebates can be a pain sometimes. or most times.

 

[LittleTinyScooby]

go with the 99000

Yeah, I decided to do that. Going to RMA the 9500A. Crazy shipping prices though. I wish RMA shipping was free. It's not my fault I didn't notice the 9500A was 5 years old until someone mentioned it.

I just hope the monster 9900MAX fits in my Antec Sonata case (GA P67A-UD7 MB with 4 sticks of Gskill ripjaws). If it doesn't fit, I will yell at the moon.

 

[DisrupTer911]

And I'm guessing both of them are probably owned by something like the Hyper 212+. Could be wrong about the MAX though (although all caps in a name is usually code for "trying to trick people into thinking this is good").

the CMH212+ is a joke compared to the Zalman9900Max.
I treid the hiper and it's no better then the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.

it can't handle high temps very well IMO and the direct touch base causes too many TIM application issues for my liking.

 

[DeltaD]

+1 on the 9900

 

[LittleTinyScooby]

Is Artic Silver 5 still the best thermal to use? If so, how come Zalman doesn't include it with their products?

 

[kumquatsrus]

Is Artic Silver 5 still the best thermal to use? If so, how come Zalman doesn't include it with their products?

arctic silver 5 is still one of the better ones. zalman's own included zm-ztg2 thermal paste with the 9900max is actually very good - not the best but still good as you can see:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-April-2011/1246/5

 

[LittleTinyScooby]

arctic silver 5 is still one of the better ones. zalman's own included zm-ztg2 thermal paste with the 9900max is actually very good - not the best but still good as you can see:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-April-2011/1246/5

Thanks for the chart. Looks like artic 5 is 2 degrees cooler.