OCZ Gladiator MAX CPU Cooler Review

Manufacturer Product Page: OCZ Gladiator Max CPU Cooler
Part Number: OCZTGLADM
Availability: Soon
Price: $63.49
Warranty: 2 year



It seems like eons ago but it hasn't been that long since Xigmatek released their first HeatPipe Direct Touch CPU cooler onto the market which allowed it to briefly win the air cooling performance crown. Market shifts are like that; one day you are making the best and seemingly the next you are playing catch up. In the fast paced world of air based CPU coolers, the market really can change overnight.

Today we will be looking at what is not another massive shift in the market; rather it is the second generation or refinement of this new HDT technology called the Gladiator MAX. Recently, we reviewed the OCZ Vendetta 2 which was for all intents and purposes is a highly refined (and by our assessment better) version of the Xigmatek S1283. Since then, Xigmatek has released the S1284 which as we said is more like a second generation model; in that it now has four heatpipes instead of three to distinguish it from the past iteration. As OCZ does not like to rest on their (well deserved) laurels, they have once again followed suit with a refined version of their Vendetta 2. To keep consumer confusion to a minimum they have not called it the Vendetta 3; rather they have dubbed it the Gladiator MAX, and yes there is a non MAX version simply called the “Gladiator” which uses a 92mm fan instead of the 120mm on this monster.

Just as the S1284 has four 8mm heatpipes for its base, so too does the Gladiator MAX. While it may not have the Vendetta name, it does have an overall similar appearance with what can be considered a refinement on the double V back. As this is a new product, it may be a little hard to find right now; but as it is made by OCZ, this should change very soon (and may have already by the time you read this review) and become widely available from e-tailers and retailers everywhere.

As with any second generation product, one has to wonder how it stacks up against its predecessor or is it different enough that it is designed for peaceful co-existence with the “old” product. By the end of this review we will hopefully be able to give you the tools so you can answer these questions yourself and more importantly help you find the answer to the biggest question of them all: Is four heatpipes better than three?