VF900-Cu vs. Fatal1ty FS-V7 vs. ZM80C-HP Round-Up

What I got.

The Parts:

Features
• 1. Pure copper heatsink base and fins maximize cooling performance.
• 2. Use of two high performance heat pipes maximizes heat transfer.
• 3. Circular heatsink formed by radially aligned ultra-thin(0.2mm) fins minimizes airflow resistance and maximizes heat dissipation surface area for excellent cooling performance.
• 4. Fan installed in the heatsink cools not only the VGA chipset and VGA RAM, but all other VGA components.
• 5. Does not exert any excessive force on the VGA card due to the product’s light weight.
• 6. Improvement in the installation structure provides excellent compatibility and easy installation.
• 7. Adjustable fan speed controller(FAN MATE 2) enables control of noise and fan speed.
• 8. Does not generate noise or vibration in Silent Mode.

Specifications
• 1. Pure copper heatsink base and fins maximize cooling performance.
• 2. Use of two high performance heat pipes maximizes heat transfer.
• 3. Circular heatsink formed by radially aligned ultra-thin(0.2mm) fins minimizes airflow resistance and maximizes heat dissipation surface area for excellent cooling performance.
• 4. Fan installed in the heatsink cools not only the VGA chipset and VGA RAM, but all other VGA components.
• 5. Does not exert any excessive force on the VGA card due to the product’s light weight.
• 6. Improvement in the installation structure provides excellent compatibility and easy installation.
• 7. Adjustable fan speed controller(FAN MATE 2) enables control of noise and fan speed.
• 8. Does not generate noise or vibration in Silent Mode.

The base on this is really smooth and in my opinion it doesn’t need lapping.

Man what a breeze this was to install. I thought the Fatal1ty was easy but this was so simple. I like simple. On my card it used only two mounting holes. As cautioned in the manual hand tighten only. Use no tools. I love tool less installations.You can see how to mount it to your specific card at Zalman. Once again Zalman was nice enough to include spare parts. Now that it’s installed let’s fire it up and see what it can do.

Results:
• @ Idle the temps were 31 degrees celsius
• Aqua Mark3 @load the temps were 34 degrees celsius
• 3D Mark 06 @load the temps were 34 degrees celsius

This cooler is a good example of a nearly silent air cooling solution for you folks who like less noise without sacrificing performance. Heat pipe technology that really works. If I were in the market for a VGA cooler this would be on top of my list.

Pros
• 1. Styling good looks
• 2. Really easy to install
• 3. Great temperatures
• 4. included blue RAM heatsinks
• 5. Lighter weight.

Cons
• Absolutely none.

So all that being said I give it a 10 And I give this beauty an Editor’s Choice Award.

Well we see that the newer technology kicks butt over the older design which was to be expected. The changes in those designs allow for easier installation, lower temperatures and less noise. Three things I like in an air cooler. As far as price is concerned I have heard some grumbling that it’s too much. I don’t think it’s too high at all. You get what you pay for. Quality costs more and it’s well worth it. I’m not slapping a cheap cooler on my expensive card. As far as an out and out winner of the shootout the differences between the VF900-Cu and the Fatal1ty were very slight. The VF900 had a lower idle temp by a degree and the Fatal1ty had a lower load temp on Aqua Mark3 by one degree. The VF900 is lighter but the Fatal1ty has a cool look and a red LED. So either way you decide to go you have a winner.

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