Respire T20/T40 Overview
Generally speaking both coolers are fairly average sized, if not a bit more narrow than most. Not too tall or wide, you should have no issues installing these coolers in cases mid sized or above.
Being the smaller of the two the T20 has a smaller count of direct contact heat pipes. There is one 8mm pipe and two 6mm pipes. Both sizes are full copper. They mate well in the base and are nice and flat, for a good contact with the CPU.
The fan on the T20 covers it very well and should provide plenty of flow over all of the fins.
While the T20 is a bit smaller the T40 is more toward the size of coolers we are used to dealing with. Though named the T40 it is not quite so large as a 140mm fan. As such a 120mm fan is used and it is connected to the fins with a slightly different clip than the T20 uses. Using a smaller fan on the larger cooler undoubtedly means there will be gaps and less airflow over the larger fins.
Through the fins of the T40 run four 8mm full copper pipes which also make direct contact with the lid of the CPU. The total larger diameter of the heatpipes means that the base area is also larger. This could lead to better coverage of the CPU itself.
It’s also worth noting that our test sample clearly has a manufacturing defect in the base of the heatpipe. While this could mean absolutely nothing, it could also change the way heat is absorbed and transported away from the CPU.
The fans included seem to be standard issue NZXT 120mm fans. These are generally regarded as very average performing fans. They move a good amount of air, but nothing to brag about.