Like most Zalman heatsinks, the CNPS9900 Max is based off entirely original design concepts; two radial fin arrays surrounding an inset 130mm PWM fan that draws air past one set of cooling fins before exhausting it through the second. Its three 6mm diameter heatpipes are positioned asymmetrically so the most heat energy is conducted to the nickel plated copper fins directly behind the fan. To keep noise under control, the translucent fan scales from a moderately loud 1700RPM to a whisper quiet 900RPM.

The CNPS9900 Max heatsink has a total heat dissipation surface area on the order of 5402cm2, stands 150mm tall and weighs 755 grams. The manufacturer claims max heat capacity is a whopping 300W! CPU compatibility extends to Intel socket 775/1155/1156/1366 and AMD socket AM2/AM3 processors.

The real prize is the type of heatpipes used in the construction of this heatsink. Composite copper heatpipes contain a dual wick structure of grooved and sintered metal that makes them more efficient at conducting heat than a typical metal mesh wick. There's no way to illustrate the wick structure on the inside of the heatpipes without destroying the CNPS9900 Max in the process, so please see this Frostytech article on heatpipe wick structures for actual photos of a couple dissected heatpipes. The heatpipe solution employed in the CNPS9900 Max is a combination of sintered and grooved metal wicks, a combination of the first two types pictured.

Zalman CNPS9900 Max Heatsink

heatsink specsheet manufacturer: zalman model no.: cnps9900 max materials: dark nickel plated copper fins, heatpipes and base. cast aluminum base cap. fan mfg: zalman zp13525blm fan spec: 1700-900rpm, 12v, 0.40a fan dim: 25x130x130mm heatsink & fan dim: 150x94x130mm weight: 755 grams includes: multi-socket socket mounting hardware, thermal compound, fan speed resistor, instructions Compatible with Sockets: AMD - AM2/AM2+/AM3 Intel - 775/1155/1156/1366 Pricing: $70USD ($70CDN)

There are a couple other aspects of the Zalman CNPS9900 Max heatsink that make it stand out from the crowd. One obvious aspect is the heatsink's split cooling fins, each of which is joined to the base by only the 6mm diameter copper heatpipes. In front of the 130mm fan is a 27mm wide fin section wrapped around one single 6mm diameter heatpipe.

Separate upper brackets for both Intel and AMD platforms are supplied. These brackets clip into the space between the copper base plate and aluminum base cap after four screws are loosened slightly.

Small barbs hold the brackets in the proper position while the user is tightening the screws back up. This new heatsink mounting system isn't quite as elegant as Zalman's mostly tool-free solutions from years past, but it does firmly hold the 755gram heatsink in place with all metal-to-metal fasteners.