If there is one thing that Apple has proven to the world it’s that creating an image that individuals want to identify with will sell your product. This technique has been repeated time and again in recent years, especially in the tech world. One company to do this and totally create an image that their target market can identify with is NZXT. Established in 2004 and focusing originally on computer enthusiast cases, NZXT have quickly and successfully ground out a segment of the gaming/case modding community to call their own. With a strong following in both the case and power supply market NZXT released the Havik air cooler in June of 2011. It was met with great success and rave review. The Havik was released at a price point aimed at the upper level overclocker, it would seem that since then NZXT has become interested in the lower entry and mid level market. And that brings us to todays test subjects, we will be thoroughly analyzing both the NZXT Respire T20 and T40 air coolers.

Special thanks to NZXT for providing the Respire T20 & T40 CPU Coolers to review.

Features

T20
- Stacked aluminum fins for maximum heat dissipation and anti-vibration rubber pads for sound absorption
- Equipped with one 120mm fan with fan speeds up to minimal 1300+/- 10% and high 1800+/- 10% RPM
- Heat pipes applied using a patented manufacturing process that allows for the maximum amount of pipes in the minimum amount of area
- One 8mm and two 6mm direct touch heat pipes catalyzing heat transfer while providing super-efficient conductivity
- Includes a sturdy fan mounting kit for easy installation
- Universally compatible to Intel Socket: 2011/1366/1156/1155/775 and AMD Socket: FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
- Backed by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

T40
- Stacked aluminum fins for maximum heat dissipation and anti-vibration rubber pads for sound absorption
- Equipped with one 120mm fan with fan speeds up to minimal 1300+/- 10% and high 1800+/-10% RPM
- Heat pipes applied using a patented manufacturing process that allows for the maximum amount of pipes in the minimum amount of area
- Four 8mm direct touch heat pipes catalyzing heat transfer while providing super-efficient conductivity
- Includes two sturdy fan mounting kits with option for push-pull configuration with two 120mm fans
- Universally compatible to Intel Socket: 2011/1366/1156/1155/775 and AMD Socket: FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2
- Backed by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

Packaging
I have to commend NZXT here. I feel when designing packaging for a lower cost product there is always the temptation to slap something cheap and unthought out together. But that has never been NZXT’s way. They are indeed a clever bunch. Made from sturdy cardboard both boxes that are slim dimensionally, while still having plenty of space inside to protect the cooler. The front of the mostly white box is taken up mostly with a picture of the cooler, fan side forward. Below is a listing of the model inside as well as 4 bullet points about the cooler itself on the right side.

On the reverse side you will find several pictures as well as points of interest for the curious.

You will also find a complete diagram with dimensions on one side and technical specs listed below that. We’ve also included them for you here: (T20 on the left T40 on the right)

The other side panel is printed with a short message from NZXT about the cooler and has a compatibility guide below that. In likeness with most coolers we are seeing today this one will mount on nearly all boards on the market.

Compatibility Guide:
Intel Socket: 2011, 1366, 1155, 1156, 775 CPUs
AMD Socket: FM1, AM3, AM3+, AM2+, AM2 CPUs

Inside the box you will find the cooler held well in a plastic formed shell.

They come with the fans pre attached though they must be removed for the installation process, so this is actually more work for you. Each comes with a complete installation guide that is plenty large and easily followed. Along with the guide there is a backplate and a bag of accessories. This is one area where the coolers differ. Included with the T20 is simply all necessary mounting accessories including thermal grease as well as a resisted extension to slow down and quiet the fan.

The T40 being slightly larger and more expensive NZXT rightly thought to include another fan mounting set in case you should want to use a second fan (a good idea).

Other than that though the accessories are identical. They are the usual sort of mounting accessories. Bolts to attach the backplate to the motherboard, thumb screws, etc.