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 two 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.

• Two model heights available - 32mm (NB32K, yellow) and 47mm (NB47J, blue)
• Reduces motherboard noise to zero - operates in absolute silence
• Compatible with all motherboards with push-pin holes 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

The ZM-NB32K is a tremendously popular product and it has recently been followed up with a slightly different version, the ZM-NB47J. If there is plenty of clearance around the northbridge chipset then we would recommend choosing the NB47J because it gives marginally better cooling (due to its larger fins). However, if you are concerned that there may be clearance difficulties due to its height, then you may prefer the NB32K which is 15mm shorter and also costs less. In addition, your decision may be affected by which of the products are in stock, and which colour you prefer! Both heatsinks are excellent products which will do the job perfectly.

If your existing Northbridge cooler is secured using pushpins going into the motherboard, then the cooler can be removed and a (ZM-NB32K or ZM-NB47J) can be mounted in its place. Sprung pushpins and a tube of thermal compound are provided with the product. Installation is easy, since a clever adjustable mechanism caters for a variety of pushpin locations, and the white thermal compound is spread on the mating surfaces for optimum heat transfer.

Animated installation instructions are available here (requires Flash plugin)