Korean company Zalman, known more for its innovative PC air cooling solutions, PSUs, and cases, entered the graphics card business. The company is now an AMD Radeon add-in board (AIB) partner, and started its lineup off with some upper-mainstream models. It makes perfect sense for Zalman to enter this business, as it holds some expertise with high-end graphics card cooling solutions. Zalman can source PCBs from any of the major foundries such as PC Partner, Hightech Information Systems, or TUL, and assemble its coolers on top of them. Zalman's first three graphics cards are based on Radeon HD 6870, HD 6850, and HD 6770, with AMD reference clock speeds. What markets Zalman will target its new graphics card lineup with, is not known.

35 Comments on Zalman Enters Graphics Card Business, Starts Selling AMD Radeon

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#1 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator Many Thanks to IvTK for the tip. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:00 Reply

#2 dhdude

They look like rebadged HIS cards? Coolers are the same, just a different sticker! Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:05 Reply

#3 random

They should make their own coolers for it instead of rebadging stuff. AFAIK they would have the ability to innovate. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:10 Reply

#4 LAN_deRf_HA

At least one of those coolers is your standard Chinese cookie cutter sink. Same thing Intel uses. I don't think they're using their own products for anything here; which makes me wonder about the financial viability. Seems like the market is already saturated. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:10 Reply

#5 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator They're just getting started. They'd want stable, proven designs. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:11 Reply

#6 de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder then why dont they get a pcb and strap on their already proven GPU coolers? people will still buy, because it will be cheaper than removing the stock cooler and getting a zalman. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:14 Reply

#7 cdawall

where the hell are my stars Score another one to AMD. A new 7 series card with a fancy Zalman cooler for normal retail price would be pretty cool. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:17 Reply

#8 Quantos

de.das.dude then why dont they get a pcb and strap on their already proven GPU coolers? people will still buy, because it will be cheaper than removing the stock cooler and getting a zalman. That makes a lot of sense... perhaps too much. Personally, I'd love a good GPU that has a good, custom GPU cooler from a company that knows how to make them. That said, I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to custom GPU coolers, but if you say they're proven, and definitely better than standard GPU coolers, that seems like a brilliant idea.



The only problem here might be that you'd possibly end up with a very good cooler, but the rest is questionable. If the PCB is stock, then the price would be the only incentive to buy a card that has a pre-install custom cooler. Otherwise, buying a card with a PCB that a company took a long time to design and then placing a custom GPU cooler on it would seem like the better choice. That makes a lot of sense... perhaps too much. Personally, I'd love a good GPU that has a good, custom GPU cooler from a company that knows how to make them. That said, I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to custom GPU coolers, but if you say they're proven, and definitely better than standard GPU coolers, that seems like a brilliant idea.The only problem here might be that you'd possibly end up with a very good cooler, but the rest is questionable. If the PCB is stock, then the price would be the only incentive to buy a card that has a pre-install custom cooler. Otherwise, buying a card with a PCB that a company took a long time to design and then placing a custom GPU cooler on it would seem like the better choice. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:20 Reply

#9 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator de.das.dude then why dont they get a pcb and strap on their already proven GPU coolers? people will still buy, because it will be cheaper than removing the stock cooler and getting a zalman. Because rebranding complete boards is the more economical thing to do till they have cash. Because rebranding complete boards is the more economical thing to do till they have cash. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:25 Reply

#10 LAN_deRf_HA

I think it's going to take them a lot longer to make cash if they're not differentiating. Why buy a new brand when you can buy the exact same thing for the same price from an established brand? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:28 Reply

#11 cdawall

where the hell are my stars LAN_deRf_HA I think it's going to take them a lot longer to make cash if they're not differentiating. Why buy a new brand when you can buy the exact same thing for the same price from an established brand? because its new, because its cheaper, because it has a good warranty, because its made by Zalman, because you like the look, because it exists, list goes on. It is not like this is exactly a new brand. Zalman has been around for a while now people know and trust the name why would the break into the VGA market be different? because its new, because its cheaper, because it has a good warranty, because its made by Zalman, because you like the look, because it exists, list goes on. It is not like this is exactly a new brand. Zalman has been around for a while now people know and trust the name why would the break into the VGA market be different? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:30 Reply

#12 INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester Well I hope them all the best. I mean when I was on Air with my PC's I always used a Zalman cooler.

I hope and look forward to their contribution to the upcoming 7 Series and hope they innovate a little with them. Might even pull me away from my deadset GPU provider Sapphire. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:38 Reply

#13 MilkyWay

Zalman? LOL. They are probably wanting to make sure everything is set right before they offer custom cards. Maybe working on a new cooler design for the 7000series or just want to make sure the market is right or get suppliers running first. HOW WOULD I KNOW? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:41 Reply

#14 RejZoR

It would be nice if they'd offer custom cooler designs considering they are now GFX and cooler vendor. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 14:42 Reply

#15 loleafidas

Poor design! Can u make ur GFX design look like Kr Showbiz pls? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 15:16 Reply

#16 Chaitanya

1st Gigabyte started selling keyboards and chasis, then corsair started selling Chasis, PSU, Coolers. And now Zalman is selling video cards. The end is near for most of these manufacturers. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 15:28 Reply

#17 Athlonite

didn't you hear that MS are now providing the guidence systems for all US missals powered by bing maps :roll: Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 15:40 Reply

#18 TRWOV

Do I sense factory overclocked cards in Zalman's future? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 15:44 Reply

#19 IvTK

btarunr Many Thanks to IvTK for the tip. You welcome :) When around so many boring things such as tablets, smartphones, e-books etc. it's always good to share the interesting news about old good desktop hardware. Despite Zalman SKU's being almost identical to HIS ones, I think many people will buy Zalman branded graphics, especially when Korean guys will place Zalman-made coolers instead of reference or HIS ones. You welcome :) When around so many boring things such as tablets, smartphones, e-books etc. it's always good to share the interesting news about old good desktop hardware. Despite Zalman SKU's being almost identical to HIS ones, I think many people will buy Zalman branded graphics, especially when Korean guys will place Zalman-made coolers instead of reference or HIS ones. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 15:50 Reply

#20 badtaylorx

this is good.......im a zalman fanboy.....i hope they put ou t some nice cards in the future



good luck zalman!!! Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 16:02 Reply

#21 Fx

this is a welcome move in my book. I have always liked Zalman. this move makes sense for them and I think they will do well Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 16:40 Reply

#22 de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder btarunr Because rebranding complete boards is the more economical thing to do till they have cash. zalman is broke ? zalman is broke ? Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 16:52 Reply

#23 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator de.das.dude zalman is broke ? No, it doesn't have to be. Go learn a thing or two about wise business practices. No, it doesn't have to be. Go learn a thing or two about wise business practices. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 16:54 Reply

#24 cadaveca

My name is Dave de.das.dude zalman is broke ? Entering into a new market is a risk. Because it's a risk, you want to limit your possible losses.



Once VGA sales are going, they can take the profits to re-invest in new products, so the risk for them is only ever just the original investment. If you want to sell 100,000 VGAs, and you need that many aftermarket coolers, and they cost $15 each, that's 1.5 million for coolers alone, plus the cost of the cards.



They are using a design similar to other cards becuase the company that makes those cards has extra capacity. Buying established models cuts down on R&D costs, as well as providing (ideally) decent availability of parts, with minimal investment. They can just buy these cards, and profit. The chosen models are some of the highest-selling SKUs, too. Entering into a new market is a risk. Because it's a risk, you want to limit your possible losses.Once VGA sales are going, they can take the profits to re-invest in new products, so the risk for them is only ever just the original investment. If you want to sell 100,000 VGAs, and you need that many aftermarket coolers, and they cost $15 each, that's 1.5 million for coolers alone, plus the cost of the cards.They are using a design similar to other cards becuase the company that makes those cards has extra capacity. Buying established models cuts down on R&D costs, as well as providing (ideally) decent availability of parts, with minimal investment. They can just buy these cards, and profit. The chosen models are some of the highest-selling SKUs, too. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 17:03 Reply

#25 de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder ah, i see. i guess i'll be a more risktaking businessman. Posted on Dec 8th 2011, 17:36 Reply