Packaging:

The Zalman VF3000F (GTX470/465) VGA cooler arrived exactly how you would see it on the shelves of your local electronics and computer emporium - in a snazzy retail box with a carrying string and a cut-out window letting you peek inside at the actual cooler. The front graphic indicates which version you have, and which graphics card models it is compatible with. In this case, we have the cooler for Nvidia's GTX470/465 series. The back of the box details some of the key features and has multiple angle shots of various parts of the cooler.



Out of the box, you'll notice that the VF300F is encased in a heavy-duty protective cocoon. Thankfully, it snaps apart with ease - no need to break out the chainsaw to get this one open.



Next up is the accessory pack, which includes everything you'll need to get your VGA cooler mounted properly. In the image below you can see we have (from top to bottom and left to right) a tube of Zalman "High Performance Super Thermal Grease (ZM-STG2)", a Fan Mate controller cable, twelve rubber washers, ten PET washers, six clear PVC washers, four fixing nuts, a Zalman case badge, ten bolts/springs, four rubber washers (attached to four of the bolt/springs sets), a Fan Mate2 fan controller, double-sided mounting tape, four mounting nipples, and four additional springs for the mounting nipples.



The last bit in the box (other than a handy instruction manual) is the VGA/RAM/VRM heatsink. Notice the cutouts on the bottom (for the bottom mounting nipple) and the top (for two capacitors). This massive finned heatsink covers most of the card and is surprisingly heavy. Flip the heatsink over and you'll notice all the channels that have been machined out to allow for clearance around the capacitors and various other electronic bits.