While the Zalman CNPS9900Max does require swapping out the backplate, its nearly silent, doesnt interfere with anything else on the motherboard, and does a good job keeping my FX-8120 cool, even when all 8 cores are at 100% (such as when folding).
You've got your choice of red or blue LED models with the red not being quite as bright. As for the backplate replacement and cooler installation, it goes fairly smoothly as long as you dont try to do it with the motherboard still in the case and you only start each screw and then tighten a couple turns each in an X pattern rather than cranking down one side and then trying to fight the spring clips to start the screws on the other side. Below is a pic of my rig so you can see how the cooler completely clears the other components.
You've got your choice of red or blue LED models with the red not being quite as bright. As for the backplate replacement and cooler installation, it goes fairly smoothly as long as you dont try to do it with the motherboard still in the case and you only start each screw and then tighten a couple turns each in an X pattern rather than cranking down one side and then trying to fight the spring clips to start the screws on the other side. Below is a pic of my rig so you can see how the cooler completely clears the other components.
+1 NemesisChild
-ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
-Intel i7-3930k @4.42GHz
-16GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 2133MHz
-Corsair Force Series GT SSD 240GB
- 2x 3TB WD Caviar Black (RAID 1)
- XFX ProSeries 1250W PSU
-3x ASUS VE248Q 24" Monitor
- 2x XFX 7970R
- Xigmatek Elysium Black Case
- CORSAIR H100 CPU Cooler
- Logitech G500 Mouse
-ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
-Intel i7-3930k @4.42GHz
-16GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 2133MHz
-Corsair Force Series GT SSD 240GB
- 2x 3TB WD Caviar Black (RAID 1)
- XFX ProSeries 1250W PSU
-3x ASUS VE248Q 24" Monitor
- 2x XFX 7970R
- Xigmatek Elysium Black Case
- CORSAIR H100 CPU Cooler
- Logitech G500 Mouse
Also agree with NemesisChild! I had also Coolermaster V8. It's one of the best air cooler, but Corsair H80/H100 does a better job.
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