OCZ Gladiator MAX

A meet and greet with the OCZ Gladiator MAX

On the next few pages we'll show you some photos. The images were taken at a high resolution and then cropped and scaled down. The camera used was a Canon 450D 12 MegaPixel.

So here we have the kit unboxed. You'll get everything need to get started. The cooler is well packaged in Styrofoam. 

The accessories are easy and simple to grasp: An AMD type pressure clip that can sit on the mid plate of the cooler. For Socket LGA775 (core 2 duo/quad) push pins can be used, though require two screws to attach to the cooler itself. The good thing here .. for both AMD and Intel processors you do not need to install a back-plate. Your mainboard therefore does not need to be removed. The Gladiator MAX cooler is compatible with AMD AM2/939/754/755 and Intel 775 sockets.

You'll also receive four rubber anti vibration mounting posts for the fan. it secures the fan onto the cooler and prevents resonation. Simple, cheap, and works like a charm really. Though mounting them is a little awkward. Last but not least, a small tube of thermal paste is included, so yeah ..  everything is here to get you going.

Mind you that as stated all popular processors sockets are supported, yet for Core i7 you need to purchase a retention bracket kit. That kit however does have a back-plate and requires you to remove the motherboard form the PC. I'm not sure yet if future models will have the bracket included as standard.

The cooler weighs in at at 780 grams. Aluminum fins .. lots of them. The fin configuration also helps maximize surface area while maintaining a compact form factor. The Gladiator MAX has 4 U shaped heatpipes summing the total up to eight vertical pipes for dissipating heat.

The fins on the Gladiator Max are made out of thin easy to bend aluminum, though feel sturdy. Standing 161mm tall. So that's not a lightweight neither is it huge compared to other high end coolers available on the market today.

• For Sockets AMD 754/755/939/940/AM2, Intel LGA775
• 4 Pure Copper heat pipes for superior heat dissipation
• Pure Aluminum alloy fins for ultimate durability
• Fan Specs
  • Size: 120mm x 120mm x 25mm
  • Weight: 780g (with fan)
  • Rated Voltage: 12V DC
  • Fan Speed: 800-1500RPM
  • Noise Level: 19.6-26.4 dBA
  • Bearing type: rifle
  • Life Expectancy: 40,000 hours
  • Connector: 4 pin with PWM
• Dimensions: Heatsink: (L)63 x (W)120 x (H)165
• Includes:
  • 120mm Fan with rubber connectors
  • Mounting Hardware for all above CPUs
  • Generic Thermal Compound
  • Installation Manual
• Part Number: OCZTGLADM

The top of the cooler -- we can take a better look at at the fin shape. No clue really as to why it is shaped as it is, but yeah .. it looks nice alright.