Zalman CNPS10X Flex CPU Cooler Review

Dual Fan Results

All in all, these are pretty good numbers considering the fact that this cooler has been designed with high speed fans in mind. We wouldn’t be too shocked if we learned that dual Scythe S-Flex G’s would significantly improve its dual fan prowess. With that being said, the numbers the Flex posts are impressive and it is one of the few coolers we have seen that can beat the venerable TRUE when both are running in dual fan mode (the TRUE is another cooler with tight a tight fin array needing high speed fans to shine). Bloody good job Zalman.

Value

The term “Value” is such an amorphous term that it truly has different meanings for different people. For some a CPU cooler is only as good as it over-clocking potential, for others it is how quiet it does its job; for others still it’s how effective it is for its cost. We here at HWC try to provide as many answers as possible for the term “Value”. Hopefully by this point in the review people looking at OC potential or loudness levels will have a fairly good idea of what its Value is. For the “best bang for the buck” crowd we have included a chart below showing how much each 1°C less costs when compared to Intel’s FREE stock cooler. No consideration has been made for noise levels, “looks” or any other extraneous factors; this is just raw performance vs. monetary cost. For any cooler which performs worse than the Intel stock cooler a rating of “FAIL” will be given. For any cooler which has a “Value” of more than $10 per 1°C a rating of “FAIL” will be used in the graph but the chart will list its actual “Value”.

All prices are based on either their MSRP (if no e-tailer prices were available at review time) or the online price they sold for at the time of their review. If a CPU cooler does not include a fan the price of a Scythe S-Flex 1200RPM has been included ($12).

To make it as easy as possible for you to modify this ratio we have also included the various coolers temperature difference so if you do come across one of them on sale you can easily modify its “Value” rating. We here at HWC are in no way saying this is the definitive answer to “Value”, rather it should be considered another tool to help you make your final decision. After all something is only as “valuable” as what you consider it to be.

Please Note: This chart has be calculated based upon the differences between Intel stock cooler’s average load at its highest OC on a 920 @ 3.42GHz versus various after market coolers average load temperatures (in their stock configuration with MX-2 TIM) also on a 920 @ 3.42GHz.


While it can’t compete on a cost versus performance basis with HDT coolers, the Flex is a very decent value. Honestly, the fact that the Flex doesn’t come with a fan is what is holding it back from being one of the best values currently available on the market. However, the fact that the Flex can compete against coolers costing a heck of a lot more in both raw performance AND value is a soothing balm and does go along way towards justifying its price. What is interesting is the fact that we have seen this cooler on sale recently for as little as $36 which translates into a downright great deal.