Zalman CNPS9300AT CPU Cooler

Examining the Zalman CNPS9300AT:

The Zalman CNPS9300AT comes in an attractively packaged box that has a clear window to allow you to see the heatsink. The other sides of the box list the features and specs of the heatsink. Opening the box reveals all the accessories and mounting hardware. Included is the mounting hardware for modern AMD and Intel chips with the exception of the 1366 socket. Zalman does make a socket 1366 clip kit, but it is designed only for the CNPS9700 / 9500 series. There is also a tube of Zinc Oxide based thermal grease, screws, a case badge, and a pretty well written manual.

The heatsink itself is packaged in a clear plastic clamshell. The way it's packed in there the heatsink can't get banged up and will not have any bent fins. Upon removal we see the standard looking Zalman heatsink and fan, razor sharp fins included. The heatsink has two heatpipes in a figure eight setup. The base of the heatsink is lapped from the factory to an almost mirror finish to ensure proper contact with your processor. You can see overall in size it's not a whole like bigger than the stock Intel heatsink.

Mounting the Zalman CNPS9300AT was fairly simple, but different from most of the heatsinks out there. There is a back plate which requires removal of the motherboard from the case, then a front piece as well. You then screw those two together with the four included screws. Once you complete that step, then you mount the heatsink on top with two screws. It seems to have a little bit of play as far as rotation goes, but it still makes firm contact w/the CPU regardless of that fact. You can see once it's mounted it has a sort of wind tunnel design to it.