Question 1

Does it come with thermal compound?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it comes with a syringe with about 5-10 applications worth.  If you are only getting 1-2 applications, you are using way too much compound.  Use a piece of plastic like an old credit card or store membership card to spread an even, extremely thin layer.  The compound functions identical to Arctic Silver 5 in this application (I have used that in the past with other all copper Zalman heatsinks).  Unless you are overclocking an extreme amount, this heatsink and compound should keep you below 50°C even at 100% CPU usage.

Question 2

How would you suggest the double sided tape be removed from the motherboard in case you need to send it back to the manufacturer for warranty replacement?

Accepted Answer

Wiring Contact cleaner usually has a tricoethylene equivalent base solvent that is safe for cleaning electrical components. It dries fast and with no residue. I would suggest not spraying direct, but to wipe it on with a cloth and peeling the tape as it releases.

Question 3

Will this work with LGA 1150 board?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Look in specification.

Question 4

I want to use this cooler with a Ryzen 5 1600x on an Asus X370-a prime motherboard.  Will this be compatible out of the box or do I need to buy a mounting kit also?

Accepted Answer

This was designed years before Ryzen AM4 footprints were delivered.  I couldn't find a definitive IT DOES NOT FIT, but I'd assume, "No, this needs a dedicated AM4 mounting kit."  There is a more serious issue: we love this product EXCEPT the tighening bolts are SOFT allen-wrench bolts.  They are EASILY 'rounded out' during the tightening process.  UNDOING THEM is near impossible.  This makes your application more problematic - there's a chance you'll need to tighten down, then loosen and readjust or find additional parts.  Those bolts won't survive, I suspect.  The 9500's have superior bolts but we've ended up moving away from these GREAT coolers because they are virtually impossible for later maintenance, removal, replacement, etc.

Question 5

can the fan be replaced?

Accepted Answer

I wouldn't think so.  The fan blades conform to the shape of the cooling fins.  If you wanted to do a like-for-like replacement then I expect you would need the fan part number from Zalmon.

An off the shelf 80mm or 100mm fan would not fit this cooler.

Question 6

to fit on an AM3+ scocket, does the heatsink mount without having to remove the MB?

Accepted Answer

I think this heat sink requires a plate on the back of the motherboard for all (most?) supported sockets. For most computer cases, this will mean one will have to remove the motherboard to install the plate. I had to on my ASUS M4A77TD (AM3 - not AM3+, but similar).

Question 7

From the picture it looks like the fan blows on the part of the Heatsink with only one pipe going thru it?  Can anyone confirm which side of the device it blows thru? Thanks in advance

Accepted Answer

Looking at heatsink with the Zalman sticker facing you, the fan spins counter-clockwise.  How to tell?  Use a basic understanding of what's going on as the fan moves.  Assume it goes counter-clockwise.  Then the U shaped curve cuts into the wind, the C shaped curve is the "trailing' end if the fan blade.  The "scoop" (concave) side faces inwards, pulling air together, focusing onto the fins with 2 heat pipes.  If the fan spun the other way, the "turtle shell" (convex) side would push air away to the sides, not across the fins.  The fins with 2 heat pipes get most of the air flow and thus remove most of the heat.  The front side pulls air from many directions, so there's weaker flow over the side with 1 heat pipe, because it could only remove that much heat anyways.  And also, this design ensures that the air after moving through the front set of fins will still be cooler and than the air moving through second set of fins.  If the air moved the other way, it'd be blowing hot air from the 2-pipe side onto the 1-pipe side, which would not be as effective at all.

Question 8

does this work with intel core i5 sandy bridge? I believe that means socket type LGA 1155

Accepted Answer

I have the  ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED cooler on my Intel 3570K (Ivy Bridge) chip on an LGA 1155 motherboard (Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H).  Everything I've read about LGA 1155 motherboards says they are compatible with both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge chips.

Question 9

will this cooler fit on an Asus m5a99fx pro r2.0 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

I have a Sabertooth 990FX R1.0 board, very similar layout, same chipset & CPU, and it fit just fine and kept things frosty.  If this is your first time installing a Zalman, you have to completely remove board and all components from system, install brackets, and it's easier to install the screws for attaching the heatsink onto the bracket if the board is out of system.  Although, it is still possible to do in a system, thnks to the Allen wrench with the "wobble" machining on the long end, allowing you to get adequate torque onto screw at about a 15-20° angle.

Question 10

Will this work with LGA-2011 motherboards?

Accepted Answer

Spec for 120mm CNPS9900ALED does not mention LGA-2011.  Do yourself a favor: spend $5 more for the CNPS9900MAX-B 135mm (blue LED) or the red LED variant MAX-R, whose spec specifically includes LGA-2011.  Amazing cooling performer; I own 3 on 1150 Haswell/Z97 PRO (4790K, overclocked 4690K, 4790).  Makes a ~1.5-2 degree C improvement over the 120 mm CNPS9900ALED that I used before.  Looks great, too.  Same mounting hardware and technique as 9900ALED.  The 135mm fan reaches to the edges of the heatsink (120 mm fan does not quite reach the edges).  (This also suggests that the 9900ALED, with same mounting hardware, would physically fit on an LGA2011; don't quote me.)

Questions & Answers