Zalman CNPS9700 LED CPU Cooler $20 at Fry's

[Markel]

Fry's is selling the Zalman CNPS 9700 LED CPU cooler (regularly $70) for $20. Pure copper base, fins, heatpipes, 110mm fan. Great deal.

[johnnymk]

$70 online

[Markel]

$70 online

I didn't check online. I got a text message from an insider (working at the Fry's cash register) who saw someone checking out and couldn't believe the price (he was even pleading with me to come in with some cash so he could buy one). By the time I got there, he had arranged with someone else to get one for himself, but I bought another one in his behalf (probably to sell to a friend) and one for myself.

I was replacing a lesser Zalman (CU-AL) which I had used to replace the stock cooler. When I replaced the stock cooler, I had to remove my motherboard to mount the Zalman back plate. I figured replacing the Zalman with a Zalman should be a simple process. Not so. I had to remove my motherboard and remove the Zalman backplate and re-install the original mounting plate so I could install the new Zalman. Also of note is that when I removed the old Zalman my cpu stuck to the heatsink. That coupled with removing and re-inserting all the cards in my computer triggered Windows XP to invoke the wonderful "Genuine (dis-)Advantage" reactivation scenario (for some reason the online activation didn't work, but the automated phone system got me going again).

My CPU was running about 50C (probably could have gotten it a few degrees cooler by blowing the dust off of the old heatsink) and now is running at 40C.

[Showtime]

This was the price during their anniversary sale last week. Looks like they are getting rid of all these. If I have time, I might stop by and pick one up. Great at low speed setting, annoying at higher settings according to reviews.