Manufacturers

Zalman Silent Motherboard Heatsinks

	ZM-NB47J Silent Motherboard Heatsink [29 in stock]	€5.57 (€6.55 inc VAT)
	ZM-NBF47 Northbridge Flower Heatsink [3 in stock]	€8.91 (€10.47 inc VAT)

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.

ZM-NB47J.

ZM-NBF47.

Product features

• Two models available - NB47J and NBF47
• Reduces motherboard noise to zero - operates in absolute silence
• Compatible with all motherboards with push-pin holes and hooks (ZM-NBF47 only) 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

Installation considerations

If your existing Northbridge cooler is secured using pushpins going into the motherboard, then the cooler can be removed and a 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. The ZM-NBF47 can also be secured using push-pin holes, but it is only recommended for the very latest Northbridge chipsets.

If your existing heatsink is secured using hooks, then the ZM-NBF47 is ideal. Just un-hook your current cooler, remove the old thermal paste and add new, attach the ZM-NBF47 and you're done.

Product differences

The ZM-NB47J has been tremendously popular and has 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 NB47J. In addition, your decision may be affected by which of the products are in stock! Both heatsinks are excellent products which will do the job perfectly.

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

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