Diehard users are either very opinionated (nobody could change their minds easily) or they go for what they crowds are into.:)

I understand your reasoning Rutar, but it's only valid if you are into PC cooling, and at that point you don't need reviews like these to tell you what's good or not:)

the Zalman CNPS9500 is a solid CPU solution for anybody who decides to buy it. They will get their money worth, and although cheaper alternatives may exist, it's also availability which plays a large roll for the average user who's buying new gear. The amount of users who consider changing their stock CPU cooler is smaller then you think.

Most don't even know that you can change it.

the percentage of people who do know you can change it is rising sharply, that's why everybody and their mom has a heatsink in their lineup now


I need a decent review to find out what is good too, I don't want a good solution for my money I want the best (who doesn't?). Currently only the A64 roundup is giving me that information but it lacks the PRO :(.

There is no way you can replace HSF from any Dell PCs :) They are proprietary with special mounting; Acer also.

Dell + Acer sell more PC than any other brand. No schools and government agencies will replace original HSF; neither do most big Companies.

Your world is relatively small by any standard to have made comments you have.

and even if you buy your PC from a local shop than the shop owner can advice you to buy another cooler if you want less noise, and he'll push his personal choice (and it will be related to price and availability, less performance and silence).

so in the end the buyer does have a 3rd party cooler, but he'll never think of changing it either. That and the fact that placing any 3rd party cooler on your CPU voids its warranty... :) (for Intel it does 100% sure, and I think it the same for boxed AMD CPU)


aaah we're a long way from seeing more advancent PC cooling becoming trendy and known to the masses

I doubt that.


a) it is much more easier to build a computer from parts than it was a few years ago

b) Dell charges a fortune compared to what the prices for the parts are RETAIL, therfore there is a price reason to build a PC instead of buying it

no matter what you "doubt"

a) it hasn't changed one bit the last 10 years from a novice points of view
b) nope, a desktop+monitor can be had for a competitive price, and people who don't know anything about building PCs (which is about 99% of them out there) will prefer them over custom configured systems.


the reason why Dell/Compaq/HP/... get good sales is because people will pay more for a preconfigured system so they dont have to do research of spend time figuring things out.

it's time to wake up and smell the coffee; PC Enthusiasts are an extreme minority.

or hit his head with a 2x4 :)

it has been a long weekend, sorry for delay, it's fixed now:)

Thermalright XP-90C in the house!