Nzxt Cryo LX vs. Zalman ZM-NC2000

So I have narrowed my search down to two different notebook coolers, which one should I get and why....

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-NC2...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238728086&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/ACC-NT-CRYO-S...8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238728086&sr=8-8

 

Definitely the Cryo if you don't mind the (not so sure how) loud fans and slightly larger build. Also, the prices are nearly the same anyway~

 

It also depends on the placement of your vents.

The Zalman is more towards the front of the comp while the Cryo is built for cooling the back of the laptop.

 

well it depends on where your notebooks get hotter. the back or the front.
back + hot = cryo
front + hot = nc2000

sorry for the bad examples but it's is the quickest way of understanding it.

 

go with the cryo lx. not only is it more compatible with the P-fx series as far as fan placement, but it also had 3 large fans versus the zalman's 2 fans. it also can fold up for easy movement/storage (if that matters to you), but one of the greatest extras about the cryo is that it gives you 4 extra USB ports, something that is really needed considering the p-78xx laptops only come with 3 usb ports.

here are my temps with the cryo:

i'm overclocked to 698/998/1798. when i boot my computer it reads 31c by the time it gets to the desktop. or if it was sleeping then it gets to the desktop quicker and it reads 25c. it idles at 39c. 2+hours of gaming (currently L4D, team fortress 2, crysis, dow2) leaves it at max 53c. sometimes the screensaver "aurora" leaves it at 52/53c as well if it runs for long enough. I have not underclocked (i know that's cpu anyway), nor have I applied any thermal paste.

 

i have the cryo and an enermax aeolus and they both work wonderfully.

 

Silver or back for the Cryo? As well so I have read you can't get the fans to full speed using the USB and therefore you need a power supply to use it at full speed which defeats the purpose of the USB's.

 

Well the USB alone will power the fans to about 80% their capacity, and the dc should take care of the rest. The USB will power it more than the DC will. And go with black it matches perfectly.

 

Well I guess I can deal with 80% power, I read all you have to do is email Nzxt customer service and they will send you a DC adapter for free. At least thats what it said in a newegg review, I will pick this up at Amazon since I get free shipping.

 

I posted a question about the free AC (or is it DC?) adapter on the NZXT forum: http://www.nzxt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5999

If not free, I still want the specs for the adapter, so I can buy one somewhere. No answer yet.

I know the p-7805 USB Hubs show 500mA per port in device manager, but what does the Cryo LX really draw?

 

Please let me know if they are giving free ones away, I am kinda turned off by the fact that you have to jump through hoops to get one to work as it should. I might wait till something better comes from this company or something, I am not sure what I am gonna do yet

 

There is already a thread on this. All the CRYO responses show they haven't done research.

Someone compared a Zalman NC2000 with a NZXT CRYO LX using a laptop.

The Zalman was turned backwards to cool the cpu/gpu.

The Zalman cools better, it has been proven.

The Zalman also has better fan placement if you use it on your lap. The zalmans fans will go 1: in between your legs and 2: on the right side of ur right leg. When you use it on your lap you won't be blocking the fans (Unless you have big legs).

The Zalman works the best for the P-78** laptops and if you search you will find all the threads with FACTUAL information including temperatures, rather than opinions.

I love my NC2000, I get excellent temperatures, even if I'm using it on my lap. The only reason I'd replace it is if someone found a better cooler, but to this day nobody has found one that will cool our laptops better.

 

I just wanna make sure I get the best product for the price. Can I have a link to the best thread on this with all these tests you were talking about? Thank you

 

Can you tell me why you think I haven't done research?

Proven by who, this someone? And that should be enough data to dismiss everyone else's responses as "opinions"?

You just said they had to use it upside down? How are you going to try to say it has better fan placement...? And the reason it can fit on your legs without blocking fans is because it has two fans and not three.. that's not an advantage.... and coolers aren't supposed to go on your lap, that's what pads are for.

Right, because this post of yours was very factual... what about my response that gave temps? Just an "opinion" right? because it didn't support your NC?

You may get excellent temperatures, but so do the Cryo LX's. The Cryo just has way more advantages.

 

Alright! Notebook cooler fanboys!

 

I didnt meant to start a heated debate.

 

This debate has been going on for a long time. You just added some fuel to the fire. Both Zalman and NZXT need new and better models to completely cover the bottoms of 17" to 20" laptops.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to get this heated. I would have no problem with him explaining why he thinks Zalman is better.. but it's a direct attack against others to accuse the other responses of merely being non-factual opinions from people who haven't done research, which is exactly what he said, and something which he has no way of knowing. I think he might feel a little insecure with his choice and that's why he is trying to attack the other responses, as a self-reassurance or rationalization of his choice. He attacked other responses as opinions lacking fact, and yet hypocritically talked about other data that he has seen without even citing it, linking to it, or explaining why it should be held in higher regard than any other data that says otherwise. I think that says a lot...

 

I had a cardboard modded Zalman NC2000, I have no idea if the cyro works better. But it really does look/sound better. And is better made for the FX than Zalman. BUT I really want to know how a cardboard modded cyro would preform. As a cardboard modded Zalman preformed pretty good for me.

On the T9800 processor (hotter + more voltage than P8400, I believe), my CPU stays around 19C to 23C on internet browsing + MSN + AIM + GChat + Vent + a few downloads + Music playing in background.

For the cardboard Zalman mod for 7805u results + instructions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=358400

 

I do thank you guys for all your answers, does anyone know when Nxzt will release a newer model? Maybe I should wait, I am not sure. I also bought a little 8" personal fan to help cool off my desktop some don't know if its working or not, sometimes I think it does other times I think it doesn't. I have it on the side of the desktop with the vents. so cold air is being blown into there.

 

never heard of the cardboard mod, can you explain how it works?

 

I was wondering if I should wait, but then I checked on news from the NZXT forum and there doesn't seem to be any rumors of a new model. http://www.nzxt.com/forum/ and nothing new on the zalman website. www.zalman.com

Buying one or the other is probably not a crapshoot since there are good reviews for both.

 

Hahahaha where did I say upside down? I said you turn it around.. so it cools the CPU and GPU.. it works much better this way. There is no "perfect" cooler for the p78** but the Zalman NC2000 is as close as it gets until something better is released.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=338866&highlight=cooler

Post #6 for someone who directly compared a NC2000 vs Cryo LX on the SAME computer.

I reached a new record low today with my NC2000:


CPU has NOT been undervolted, temps will be even lower when I do.

 

I had the link included in my post...

Not really interested in low, as I never idle if I am using it, if it was idle I'd turn it off. Whats the max with 3d mark?

 

Actually, you didn't say "turn it around" you said backwards, which is exactly what I meant when I said upside down. If you're sitting in front of the cooler you're looking at it horizontally, so upside down is actually correct versus backwards... regardless, I read post number 6. Here it is:

So where are the details of this test? I see no screenshots, he doesn't even list temperatures. You can't be sure that he didn't simply test one cooler right after the other, which is the mistake most people make. I don't see how this is any better of a response than those "cryo responses" that you deem to lack research (how you can tell whether everyone has researched it is beyond me).

Second, this guy has to turn the cooler upside down just to get the vents to match up, and then he has to prop up the back with a box of staplers just to keep it level. If that's what you want to do to get what will be in my largely researched prediction a same or worse temperature drop the you would with the Cryo, go ahead.

LOL! New record? I'm not gunna lie, those temps are good, but that's your new record. I get better temps daily. And besides, it's not CPU temp that really matters with a cooler... you don't see people saying "OMG MY CPU FROZE WHILE I WAS PLAYING TF2", you seem them complaining about GPU freezes cuz of heat. Ok, let's look at my temps, specifically those GPU, with the Cryo:



I should point out that showing low temps doesn't even say anything, because theres a lot of other factors in that, the biggest one being the environment (my office is very cold when I just walk in). The point is to show temperatures when stressing the components with and without the cooler, and then doing the same for idle....

P.S., I noticed you set your settings to either windows classic or standard (I can't tell). Me thinks you were trying to lower the GPU usage to lower the temp? Lol... even if that's not the case. The simple fact that I'm using Aero should leave my GPU temps higher than yours, and guess what, I'm 9 degrees Celsius cooler than your "record" with my computer idling... Cryo ftw?

 

Upside down is not correct. You are not flipping the laptop bottom-side up. You are simply turning it around 180 degrees. You do not have to prop up the back, that is just 1 extra step you can take to further improve the efficiency of the cooler by helping more heat escape (Just like propping up the back of the laptop even when you don't have a cooler).

My temps don't matter, and neither do yours, that's apples to oranges. What matters is comparing the same computer with 2 different coolers, and that's what was done. He owns both, he obviously didn't just swap the coolers out, if he would have noticed higher temps he obviously would have gone back to the Cryo, but he didn't. This is an online forum where users can share their knowledge and experience, he shared his and I'm thankful he posted his results. I said post #6 because that's where he put the facts plain and simple. Feel free to read the whole thread, I made the statement about people not doing research because they seemed to miss the frequently bumped giant thread titled "What is the best cooler for P7805u". Even a simple search for 'cooler' will display that thread, it should be stickied since we get a thread like this every week.

 

You apparently didn't read what I said. When you use a cooler, you look at it from the front, not from the top. That's why upside down is correct. Either way it's an argument of semantics and we both mean the same thing, don't cry over it.

You're the one that pointed out that post of all posts, the one that proves the Zalman is better than the Cryo and dismisses all other posts as "opinions" that are "lacking research." Funny how when I go into more detail about what it says, you pull back to assertions that "oh... well, you don't have to do exactly what he said." Ok then .

Lol, suddenly when my temps are better, you agree they don't matter right? Good, I'm glad we agree on something.

I've had an nc2000 in the past, not with this laptop, but with the dv5t (15.4 inch) and it didn't do much for me. When I still had my dv5t, I tested it on the nzxt and saw similar results even with the fan placement, which is one of the reason I switched. Regardless, there are many people who have tried both, and many people who will tell you get one over the other. You're simply choosing one post to believe instead of the rest.. and not even a very detailed post at that. The fact remains, the most important thing is that the vents line up.

From X2P, an NBR moderator and author of the famous cooling guide:

It's simple. The NZXT aligns perfectly. You have to turn the Zalman upside down to get the vents to align, and still with only TWO FANS versus 3, no extra usb ports, and no folding. Then, if you want to use your laptop leveled (and who wouldn't?, despite your argument global) you have to stick something such as a box of staples under it to keep it leveled. Really OP, is that something you want? The NZXT gives better temps anyway, unless you want to be like Global and take one poster's word for it over every other opinion, and then mark all other responses as "lacking research" when in reality you have no idea...

LOL, are you really now trying to lecture on everyone's right to post their knowledge and everyone's right to be heard on the forum after saying this:

For real, it's becoming obvious that you only believe what you want to believe... I'm sorry if your investment, which was still a very good one, wasn't actually the best choice. That doesn't meant that you have to pull someone like the OP down with you.

The point is, I'm providing him with what I've learned. You are obviously free to provide him with what you've learned. But you have no right to say, "All the CRYO responses show they haven't done research." Because in reality, you have absolutely no way of telling how much research anyone has done. You're simply trying to reassure yourself, like I said.

And explaining why he has to turn the cooler upside down and then use something like a staple box to keep the cooler level isn't plain and simple right? If nothing else, it should be important enough to mention if you're trying to make a case for the Zalman...

If it's a repeat, why don't you just report it and let a mod merge. You're free to point out it's similarity to another thread, but that still doesn't give you the knowledge to determine whether or not every cryo response came from someone who didn't research it, as if you and people who agree with you are the only ones who did.

The point is moot, because this thread is more specific anyway. The other thread asked which cooler is best for the 7805. The OP here wants to wind it down to one of two different coolers. It's like someone asking "What's the best valued 17" gaming notebook?" and then someone else making a thread "7805 vs sager np5793"... do you see those threads getting merged anytime soon?

 

Your replies are so childish I'm not even going to bother reading your entire post.

I am out of this thread. Enjoy your Cryo, I'm enjoying my Zalman.

 

You can dodge and refuse to counter a good argument by calling it childish, but it's more than obvious that you would have a weak remark at best given that I haven't said anything remotely deniable. Forgive me for defending not only a good product but myself and everyone else who wants their opinions heard rather than dismissed by hypocritical accusations of failure to research or provide facts...

 

No one in this thread won as no one owned both... to compare. =/

 

Lol, nicely pointed out.

 

I ordered the Cryo LX today.

 

I own the Zalman ZM-NC2000, and think it could be easily modified for optimal performance with the P-7811 FX. If you look at it from underneath, the fans are directly under both vents......so it might work well to simply drill out some more holes, or to machine a new top piece, extending the grill portion about 2-3 inches futher up.

 

Uh Oh!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=370563

 

Cyro is good for if vents are in the back (CPU, GPU). (like FX) no idea though how the HD vents (and other front vents) on the FX are cooled though...
Zalman is good for all-round (even better when modded) which is why I bought it, I can use it on many different
kinds of laptops. And also it looks like it's more durable and stable.
(^ From my analysis)

My Advice to FX Coolers:
So if you just want a cooler that works awesome/great out of the box without adjust/modding, get the Cyro.

If you want a long lasting cooler for all your notebooks or have some time to do some modding/adjusting, get Zalman.

 

The same will hold true if you mod your Zalman though. But besides, you can feel the fan air coming out of the slit between the cooler and the laptop in the front too. Hard drives have a higher threshold for heat too.

That's true, if you mod it, then you'll be able to switch the fans from front to back freely as you use different laptops. I just don't agree with having to mod a laptop cooler just so you can get the same performance that you get from another cooler of the same price out of the box, especially when the other cooler also comes with a built in USB hub.

I dunno about that, a lot of people have used the words "built like a tank" in reference to the Cryo LX:

http://www.bigbruin.com/2008/nzxtcryo_5
http://www.amazon.com/ACC-NT-CRYO-B-Aluminum-Notebook-Cooler-Adjustable/product-reviews/B0014GVZS0
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4658221&postcount=24
http://www.pcper.com/archive.php?s=8&year=2008&month=1

I half agree with that. The Zalman will be no longer lasting than the Cryo. The only thing you should really consider for the Zalman is whether or not you'll be switching laptops to one that requires cooling in the front. A modded Zalman doesn't cool an FX any better than a Cryo does anyway.

I'm only saying this cuz I don't want FX users to go through the trouble of trying to mod a Zalman cooler (which we haven't seen done yet anyway) because they think it will cool any better than the Cryo LX. It just doesn't make sense logistically anyway, the Cryo has 3 fans where the Zalman has 2. And for the same price, you have to do no work to get it to cool your laptop, and also you get 4 extra USB ports.

Just my 2 cents

 

Will I say if anything that is adjustable/movable will break with time. Such as the adjustable fans and the front park that looks like it is able to separated off/adjusted/(w/e) on the cryo.

 

It doesn't look like the fans on the Cryo will blow any air to the front where the disk vents are. I'll let you know how well the Cryo cools my P-7805u. It shipped from NewEgg today, so maybe I'll get it Tuesday.

 

Ya Penrod I would love to know how well it works, I still havent made up my mind on which one I should get yet, Im still leaning towards the Cyro LX but $70 is a lot for a cooler. And I think you should have gotten it from Amazon, free shipping compared to Newegg.

 

So I went ahead ordered the cryo and I emailed nxzts support 4 the free adapter so we will see how it works.

 

Same here. Awaiting a reply from them to see if they are actually going to send it.

 

How long has it been since you emailed support?

 

I just got an email reply today from NZXT service saying "We will have an AC adapter sent out to you as soon as possible". I emailed them requesting the AC adapter on 4/09.

 

Okay so it takes a few days for them to reply, I will wait till the end of the week before I email them again, its been one day I figure it will take a few days to get to mine, no worries as long as I can use the cooler somewhat I get it wed. =)

 

Quick Question do you think that the adapter will give more power to the usb hub? That would be awesome if it does.

 

You're not kidding. I don't know what factors are causing it in my instance, but the only way to get any decent results with my 7805 and Zalman are by modding the latter. Kazeari's mod worked great, though I used duct tape instead of cardboard.

In the end, I wish I had bought a Cryo, but this will do for now.

 

I am getting ready to order a Cryo, and looking at it, I have a question. On the part that flips down, would there be enough room to add a fan that would sit under the hard drive? It looks like there would be room for atleast a small one.

 

My Cryo is scheduled for a Wednesday delivery also. I'll be surprised if the AC adapter arrives in time. We'll find out soon if it works sufficiently through the USB.

 

Okay so i got the cooler, I am having the same problems as everyone else where the fans barely spin, when plugged in through the USB does it do this for all notebooks or just the one we are using? Also is there a way to fix this without the AC adapter, I am waiting for it to be sent 2 me.

 

This is a strange arrangement. The fans run with the usb to usb plug only or the usb to DC plug only or with both. The USB to USB powers the four ports on the cooler also. Idling and surfing the web is about the same temps as with the Titan G4 Magic Pad cooler. The fans are slow without an AC adapter. I tried a 12v 500mA AC/DC adapter. Fans came to life. Wrrrrrrrr. This is what we expected. But I don't want to possibly damage cooler with that voltage, so I unplugged the 12volt adapter and will wait and see what AC/DC adapter NZXT sends.

The Cryo fans run at the same slow speed on my old Thinkpad. The USB port power is 500mA. Same as the P-7805u.