In the first series of tests, our CPU is clocked at 3.80GHz.

The OCZ Gladiator Max performed decently, considering that its 120mm fan is rotating at just 1500rpm max. Although the performance is not bad, a faster fan could give better results.

Pushing the Intel E8600 at 4.3GHz made things tougher for all the CPU coolers. This time, the OCZ Gladiator Max gave an average performance and it is listed in the middle of the following performance chart.

It managed to keep the temperature down to 71 degrees Celsius, placing itself just below some famous cpu coolers, like the Noctua NH-U12F. If you replace your stock CPU cooler (Intel) with OCZ's solution, you will have a CPU cooler by more than 16 degrees Celsius.

As it was expected, the Gladiator Max is a quiet cooler due to its relatively low rotating speed. The performance can further improved with the PWM function (4pins) and the corresponding setting at the motherboard BIOS. In our comparison test, the device produced approximately 55 dBs of noise (including the case fans). The cooler itself produced just 38dB (at 30cm distance) at full speed, which is very low.

Last but not least, the retail price of each tested product is presented below. The OCZ Gladiator Max costs around $43 making it a very affordable product.