OCZ Gladiator II Heatsink

Manufacturer: OCZ Technology
Supplier: OCZ Technology
Street Price: ~$25 

By Dean Barker (3/9/2003)

Introduction 

It’s no wonder that there are so many types of heatsinks on the market now.  Everything from variable rate fans to oversized coolers to the flashing lights of the Cool Mod Volcano 9 are on the market.  The reason for this is simple; the war is over.  For all intensive purposes, air cooling has nearly reached its peak.  At a certain point, the convection process of pulling heat off of a CPU and dissipated it through various styles of fins and fans can only be made but so efficient.  That is part of the reason there is so much diversity in cooling products now as well as an overall drop in price for what once were expensive coolers.  

OCZ over the past year has focused their operations on just a couple of area, memory and heatsinks.  We have looked as some of the OCZ copper clad RAM here before, but today we are shifting gears to cooling.  Of late, pretty much all the heatsink reviews we have been doing at the OC Cafe’ are pointed toward one niche or another with a combination of aesthetics and function.  Today we are reminded of the coolers that got the ball rolling with high performance air coolers; copper construction, high fin count, and a monster of a fan strapped on.  The OCZ Gladiator II exemplifies all of these.  Let’s take a look at what we have here.  

Specifications 

• Application:  Socket A Athlon/Duron up to XP 3100+

• Construction:  Copper base and fins with aluminum shroud

• Dimensions:  63 x 62 x 62mm (with fan)

• Weight:  439.4 gms (w/fan + finger guard)

• Fan:  Delta EH 60 x 60 x 25mm

• Fan Speed:  6800 RPM

• Air Flow:  37.6 CFM

• Sound Level:  46.5 dBA

• Connector:  Three pin

On first inspection, your eyes are immediately drawn to the convection fins.  The fifty thin copper fins draw attention to themselves even more with the contrasting aluminum shroud covering two sides.  This shroud directs air flow out the sides of the Gladiator II to maximize convection.  The fins are separated down the middle of the sink by the clip, effectively making for fifty pairs of fins.  The fins have a gentle curve about them which will increase the velocity somewhat of the air moving across their surface. 

     

You can see above how the fins and base look like they are cut from a single block of copper.  As you know, fins mounted poorly won't do you any good.  Factory care given fin attachment at the factory ensures that you are maximizing heat transfer from the base up thru the fins.

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