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I am absolutely THRILLED with the Zalman Alpha2 DS A36 liquid cooling system, in both colours – Black and White. I am just as thrilled as I was with the Zalman Z10 DS, and for exactly the same reason. And if the huge flood of comments is to be believed, I’m not the only one.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Zalman Alpha2 DS A36 Video review
Specifications
- Material: aluminium, copper
- Dimensions: 120×394×27 mm
- Pump rotation speed: 3300 RPM
- Pump dimensions: 72×72×65 mm
- Number of fans: 3
- Fan speed: 600-2000 RPM
- Noise level: 29.7 dB
- Bearing type: Hydrodynamic
- Service life: 40,000 hours
- Connection: 4-pin PWM
- Air pressure: 2.01 mm H2O
Positioning and price
The only liquid cooling system I reviewed from Zalman had been sitting around for so long that it was discontinued BEFORE the review was published.
I received this unit recently, so it is still considered a new release and is priced at just over $145 for both the black and white versions. For a liquid cooler with a 360 mm radiator, this is a relatively accessible price point, as there are slightly cheaper options on the market, but also significantly more expensive alternatives.
Package contents
The package contents are relatively extensive. It includes three fans, a separate ZM-OZ RGB hub, ZM-STC10 thermal paste, tube clips, multiple fan cables, a USB extension cable, and a motherboard synchronization cable. Additional items include stickers and a full mounting kit for both Intel and AMD platforms.
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Zalman Alpha2 DS A36 Design
The Alpha2 DS A36 liquid cooling system itself may appear unremarkable at first glance, but closer inspection reveals more attention to detail. The white version, in particular, stands out visually. White implementations of such systems are relatively uncommon and generally less popular in the market, but from a design perspective, the execution is solid and visually distinctive.
This is partly because, compared to the black version, almost all components are finished in a single color, including the fan blades, cables, and clips. The only clearly visible black element is part of the pump mounting hardware.
The pump housing itself is gray, as the plastic serves as a light diffuser. However, there is a notable design detail: magnets are integrated into the diffuser, allowing an external display module to be attached magnetically.
The display is not only removable, allowing it to be repositioned in 90-degree increments, but it can also be extended outward. This makes it possible to rotate the screen toward the user – for example, when the PC is placed on a desk – so CPU temperature readings are easier to see.
Specifications and hub
All components are connected via USB, including the hub. The hub itself uses a USB Type-C connection and, in theory, can be connected through an external port rather than an internal header. In practice, however, the internal connection is more convenient for typical system integration.
Overall, cable management is one of the weaker aspects of the Zalman Alpha2 DS A36. This is primarily due to the large number of cables involved. Even with the documentation, the setup requires careful reference to the manual to understand how everything connects, especially since some of the cables are not commonly encountered. The pump, rated at 3300 RPM, alone requires two cables, or three if the display module is included.
Fans and display
The situation is partly alleviated by the included fans. They are ZM-AF120D models, measuring 120×120×25 mm, featuring hydraulic bearings, with a speed range of 600–2000 RPM, noise levels up to 30 dBA, and a rated lifespan of up to 40,000 hours.
The fans are powered in series, so each one does not need to be connected individually. The cables are not soldered but use removable connectors, which appear to be proprietary – but it’s still convenient, as a single cable powers both the RGB lighting and the motors.
As for the display, it’s worth highlighting: it’s impressive in its design and articulation. It can extend outward, rotate, and even be completely removed thanks to the integrated magnets.
Test bench
For the test setup, the components used were: an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X CPU, an ASUS B650E-E Gaming WiFi motherboard, Kingston Fury Beast 6000 MT/s RAM, a be quiet! Power Zone 2 1000 W PSU, and a Gorilla Custom X test bench of Ukrainian manufacture.
Using the hub is mandatory; without it, RGB control does not function properly – even though performance is limited regardless. It’s unclear whether this is due to the ASUS motherboard or conflicts with other software, such as Corsair utilities.
The pump is slightly noisy, but the cooling performance is excellent. I tested the Zalman Alpha2 DS A36 both at stock settings and under overclocking, with an ambient temperature of 22 °C. Under a 160 W load, the fans did not exceed 1300 RPM, while the pump ran steadily at 3200 RPM, indicating it likely lacks PWM control.
Temperatures were very impressive: the CPU stayed around 60 °C across all cores. Under maximum load of 210 W, the CPU hotspot reached 92 °C, with fan speeds approaching 1800 RPM and the pump still at 3200 RPM.
Now, for the drawbacks. Installing the software is mandatory; otherwise, the display functions only as a decorative element, even though a standard default profile could have been implemented. In terms of the package, the screw labeling is incorrect, and there are no numbered identifiers. This is unusual, though it may be an issue specific to my sample unit.
It would also be nice if Zalman included a semi-transparent cover, as the bare diffuser with magnets doesn’t quite feel like a premium component for a ₴6,000 cooler. Personally, when I see un-diffused LEDs, it’s a clear sign that an additional diffuser would improve the overall appearance.
Conclusions
What makes this cooling system truly unique is not just the external display, outstanding performance, or modest price – but the combination of all three. There are some questions regarding the Zalman Alpha2 DS A36, which is unusual given that similar products rarely raise such issues. However, these minor drawbacks do not prevent me from recommending it.
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