Date: September 11th, 2006
Article by: Joe Anderson (Hardware Reviewer)
Edited by: Nathan Glentworth (Owner / Head Editor)
Product was submitted by: APACK
 <--SHOP FOR A ZEROTHERM CF800 CPU COOLER HERE
PRODUCT PICTORIAL AND WALKTHROUGH
This graphic illustrates how fan speed responds to heat in the CF800. Keep in mind that the fan responds to heat monitored in the heatsink fins, not the CPU core temperature. While the spelling leaves something to be desired, you get the idea. As we'll see later, this feature yields some surprising results.
A large number of fairly widely spaced fins should give good cooling performance, even at low fan speeds. The frame appears to be chrome plated forged steel and provides very rigid support for the rest of the components. A protective plastic cover protects the pre-applied thermal material.
The nickel-plated copper heatpipes are sandwiched between the copper base and the steel frame.
There is evidence of solder in this area, so heat transfer should be optimal. Also visible here is the thermal interface material, applied at the factory. In my experience, it's quite rare to see this in an aftermarket cooler. It's a thin coating, and seems to have a sort of herringbone texture. This material proved to be very good in our review of the Apack CF900, and I expect nothing less in this case.
The mounting solution is simple and resembles virtually all other 775 mounts. The screws with their captive springs are both convenient and effective. I got very good performance out of the thermal grease in the CF900 review. We'll put it to the test again with the CF800.
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