So you’ve got a high specification computer but you’d like to make it quiet too. A difficult combination? Not any more. As you can see from our other web pages, it is easy enough to quieten the power supply, hard drive or even a processor cooler, but the problem with noise elimination in your PC is that you will always hear the loudest sound. The effect of quietness is often spoiled by noises coming from fans installed on the motherboard and/or the video card. For their size, the small fans that are typically used on these devices are incredibly loud!

Many new motherboards are now supplied with fans on the Northbridge chipset in order to give adequate cooling. These Zalman products take a different but refreshingly simple approach. By using the maximum possible area of the chip surface, and by having an oversize fin design, the motherboard northbridge is cooled safely and without any noise whatsoever. In some cases, the chip will run even cooler than with the noisy manufacturer-supplied HSF, enhancing PC stability.

Product features

• Reduces motherboard noise to zero - operates in absolute silence
• Compatible with all motherboards with push-pin holes and hooks around the Northbridge chip
• A fan is not required, so no vibrations are transmitted into the PCB, enhancing long-term reliability
• Reduces power loading through the motherboard and computer PSU
• Reduces dust build up for more pleasant servicing and again enhancing reliability
• Easy to install, but does require motherboard removal
• Solid anodised-aluminium top quality construction

Product differences

The ZM-NB32K and ZM-NB47J are tremendously popular products and they have recently been followed up with a new version, the ZM-NBF47. If there is plenty of clearance around the Northbridge chipset then we would recommend choosing the NBF47 because it gives marginally better cooling. However, if you are concerned that there may be clearance difficulties due to its height, then you may prefer the NB32K or the NB47J. In addition, your decision may be affected by which of the products are in stock, and which colour you prefer! All heatsinks are excellent products which will do the job perfectly.

It is also worth mentioning that all coolers will secure to Northbridge chipsets what have push-pin holes, but only the ZM-NBF47 is suitable with Northbridge chipsets that use hooks to secure the heatsink.

Installation considerations

If your existing heatsink is secured using hooks then the ZM-NBF47 is the ideal product. Just un-hook your current cooler, remove the old thermal paste and add new, attach the ZM-NBF47 and there you go, as easy as that. The ZM-NBF47 can also be secured using push-pin holes, but it is only recommended for the very latest Northbridge chipsets.