Zalman VNF100

Zalman package the VNF100 in a cardboard box with a window which shows the main part of the cooler well. On the back of the box there are a number of paragraphs explaining the features. Finally we have a list of basic specifications such as material used. Inside the box, other than the unit itself, there is a short instruction booklet along with some thermal compound, a sticker and the various clamps, screws and brackets which are required to attach the product to the graphics card. The main base and front heatsink which are shown above are aluminium, the memory heatsinks are also aluminium.

The main VNF100 heatsink is shown above and it looks great. The blue fins are 0.4mm thick and are, like the front components, made of aluminium. They are also ridged, which Zalman call VFP (Variable Fin Profile) and this design maximises surface area. The three heatpipes are the only part of the cooler which is not made of aluminium, these are copper with nickel plating. What is not immediately obvious from the pictures is that this main heatink sits on the BACK of the graphics card. This is the reason for the 3 black plastic strips, they ensure the fins do not touch the card.

Shown above is a picture of the VNF100 when attached to our X1950 Pro. In theory the installation is very easy as a small heatsink/bracket is attached to the core, and then the main front heatsink clamps the heatpipes to the card. This means that we have four separate components on the front of the card/core. All of these have a layer of thermal paste applied to them to assist with heat transfer. The various screws, springs and washers required to fit the cooler are very short which means that when attaching the unit it sits very flush to the card, both front and back, however it also makes attaching the cooler quite strenuous. Quite a lot of force is required. The main issue is getting the screws through the various holes whilst holding the numerous layers of components in place. This is not the easiest install to describe so here, from Zalman’s own site is a short video showing the install method.

Another noticeable feature is that the VNF 100 is technically a single slot cooler as the front heatsink does not overhang the next motherboard slot.

Before we look at the next cooler here is a list of the cards which are compatible with the VNF100, this list has recently been updated to include the 8500 and 8600 series of Nvidia cards:
ATI Radeon 9*** Series
ATI Radeon X*** Series (except X700 Pro, X850 Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 4 MX Series
NVIDIA Geforce 4 TI 4 Series
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5200
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5600 (FX 5700)
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5800 Series
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5900 Series
NVIDIA Geforce FX 5950 Series
NVIDIA Geforce 6600 Series (except 6600 AGP Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 6800 Series
NVIDIA Geforce 7300 Series (except 7300 AGP Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 7600 Series (except 7600 AGP Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 7800 Series (except GS, GTX Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 7900 Series (except GTO, GTX Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 7950 Series (except GX2 Series)
NVIDIA Geforce 8500 Series
NVIDIA Geforce 8600 Series