Everything in the design of air coolers with heat pipe technology seems to have been long invented and tested. We have examined a great number of tower-like coolers that can be regarded as classics today, tested coolers with only one large-diameter heat pipe, checked out orb-like heatsinks with heat pipes, and even launched a couple of heat-pipe ?rockets?(into the trash bin so far). So, coolers with heat pipes have been represented in our laboratories?tests extensively.

Meanwhile, cooling system makers are still developing and introducing new solutions notwithstanding the temporary halt in the growth of heat dissipation of modern CPUs. Different brands take different approaches. Particularly, Zalman positions its new CNPS8700 LED as a cooler for compact and low-profile system cases. According to the press release, the new cooler still features high performance (and cools the near-socket space on the mainboard) while working with little noise.

Thermaltake, on the contrary, did not bother about the dimensions of their new cooler called Thermaltake V1, but tried to make it appealing to overclocking aesthetes who enjoy a cooler's appearance no less than they do its performance. I won't evaluate the aesthetic properties of the V1 in this review as you can easily do it for yourself looking at the photographs, but I will check out the Zalman CNPS8700 LED and the Thermaltake V1 from an overclocker's point of view.

Zalman CNPS8700 LED: Compact and Efficient

Package and Accessories

The new product from the Seoul, Korea based Zalman is shipped in the traditional packaging of the brand. The external wrapper is a cardboard box with cut-outs in its face and reverse sides:

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You can find product specs, a list of supported CPUs and platforms, key product features and other information by examining this package. Inside this box there is a plastic jacket that envelops the cooler tightly. Accessory items lie on top:

• Plastic frame to mount the cooler on LGA775
• Back-plate for LGA775 mainboards
• Universal fastening clip with a detachable tip
• Zalman sticker
• Fan Mate 2 controller with cable
• Dual-sided scotch to install the Fan Mate 2
• Four screws to fasten the frame on LGA775
• Zalman CSL850 thermal grease (zinc oxide, 1.2W/m*K)
• Installation guide