X-bit labs

X-bit labs CeBIT 2005 Coverage: Day 5 (page 3)

Category: Editorial

by Anton Shilov

[ 03/15/2005 | 04:06 PM ]

Makers of Chassis and Coolers Head to Your Living Room

Zalman’s TNN300 Runs Cool, Quiet and Small

A lot of computer enthusiasts familiar with Zalman’s TNN-series have been extremely passionate to buy one even despite of the pricing of about $1000. Now Zalman is preparing a yet another one computer case which should become available in Summer. But this time one of the world’s most well-known memory makers is going to propose a product for the digital home concept.

The new TNN300 model is much smaller compared to the TNN500A and TNN500AF models and also comes equipped with a remote controller that can manage consumer electronics in addition to the PC itself. Quite naturally, the front panel of the case is made to match the design of the home equipment and not to be too distinctive among other devices in the living room.

Despite of being small and having different front bezel, the new computer case from Zalman did not lose its main advantage over its rivals: totally fanless cooling for everything what is inside: for the central processing unit, for the graphics processing unit as well as for the memory controller hub. The heat from all the components goes via the heatpipes to the walls of the chassis that resemble giant heatsinks. The power supply unit’s components are also cooled down in the same way.

The main conception of every Zalman’s PC case – totally fanless PC – is fulfilled pretty well in TNN300, but it is unclear whether enthusiasts of the so-called digital home are going to bite it. The case alone is projected to cost about $800, which is not a small amount of money; furthermore, the TNN300 does not exactly match the design of home appliances, which may be a factor against it. Nevertheless, TNN300 may become popular among PC enthusiasts because of lower pricing and smaller sizes compared to TNN500-series.