Hardware and controls
Unlike most coolers, which are designed for a single socket only, the CNPS7700-AlCu comes with mounting hardware for several different types.

Loads of mounting hardware

Zalman includes brackets for sockets 754/939/940, 478, and LGA775, making the cooler compatible with just about everything short of Socket A. It might've been nice to have a Socket A mounting option, but I suppose Zalman has to draw the compatibility line somewhere.

Hardware for multiple sockets implies that Zalman expects the CNPS7700-AlCu to be installed in several different systems over its lifespan. To accommodate multiple installations, the cooler comes with a generous amount of thermal compound and plenty of cardboard washers to prevent metal-on-metal contact between the motherboard and the cooler's various mounting brackets.

As you can see from the above picture, the CNPS7700-AlCu's mounting options aren't exactly screw-less. I'd rather have a heat sink secured with metal screws than flaky plastic levers and pins that often don't last, anyway. Screwdrivers aren't exactly rare, and it takes only minutes to mount the CNPS7700-AlCu in each socket, provided you have access to the underside of the motherboard.

In addition to loads of mounting hardware, Zalman also bundles the CNPS7700-AlCu with its Fan Mate 2 fan speed controller.

Variable speed fan control

Since not all motherboards offer variable processor fan speeds, it's handy to have a manual fan speed control option with the Zalman cooler. The Fan Mate controller's analog knob lets users fine-tune fan speeds to balance better cooling with lower noise levels, and the wiring is long enough to mount the controller outside a case for easy access. Zalman even includes some double-sided tape to make mounting a snap.

Having the Fan Mate option is great, especially since the CNPS7700-AlCu's three-pin power connector will also work with motherboards that vary processor fan speeds based on CPU temperatures. However, there's a catch. The CNPS7700-AlCu uses a standard three-pin power connector that doesn't work with temperature-driven fan speed control on LGA775 motherboards that use BTX style four-pin processor fan connectors.

BTX style four-pin connectors are currently limited to LGA775 boards, so Athlon 64 and Socket 478 systems aren't affected. Still, it would have been nice if Zalman included an adapter that allowed for temperature-controlled fan speeds on LGA775 systems. As it stands, the CNPS7700-AlCu can still draw power from a BTX style four-pin connector, but you're limited to manual fan speed control through Fan Mate.