The Heatsink Fan:
The 105x105x25mm fan spins at 1150-2300RPM with the aid of the Fanmate 2 fan speed controller. According to FrostyTech's real world sound measurements, this translates into a noise output of between 32 dBA and 51 dBA. The heatsink draws power from a standard 3-pin motherboard fan header, and supports RPM monitoring. The seven bladed translucent impeller is internally illuminated with blue LEDs. Since airflow is directed downward, components adjacent to the CPU socket are also cooled to some degree. Motherboards will need about 125mm of clearance around the CPU socket for this heatsink to fit.

Heatsink Top:
Removing the fan from the CNPS7500-Cu LED heatsink gives us a clearer idea of how it is assembled from individual coper sheets 0.4mm thick. The copper base section is 25mm wide, and from tip to tip the heatsink measures ~120mm. The cut out in the center of the base section is for the clip to slide into, and apply clamping pressure at the center. Each copper fin extends 40mm out, with progressively more spacing between the fins.

Heatsink Side A:
Standing 67mm tall, the Zalman CNPS7500-Cu LED is vertically compact. The copper fins are spaced 2.0mm at the outside edge. The spring clip is set just under the 105mm fan, and for whatever reason the clip bracket on the other side is kept loose. Depending on whether it's an AMD or Intel chip, one slot or the other is utilized.

Heatsink Side B:
From this angle we can see how the copper fins gradually come together at the base to form the body of the Zalman CNPS7500-Cu LED heatsink. Compressed under high pressure the copper fins make intimate contact at the base. The bevel allows the heatsink to clear retention frames, and any capacitors placed near to the socket. Accordingly, Zalman recommend that no component be higher than 39mm be within 61mm of the center of the processor socket.

Heatsink Base:
The copper portion of the base measures 26mm x 34mm, but the overall length of the mounting surface is 41mm if we include the two aluminum blocks. Since the copper fins are the base, thermal conductivity is as direct as could be expected. The copper base has been machined razor flat and thus surface roughness is equivalent to ~8 microinches or better. That is considered excellent. The stainless steel mounting clip is clearly visible here, and unlike past CNPS7000-series heatsinks, this one is tool free.