Power Cooling System Vertical Stand For Xbox 360

[wraggster]

New from Mr Modchips (http://www.mrmodchips.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?ref=20&products_id=541&affiliate_banner_id=1)(UK)

http://www.mrmodchips.co.uk/catalog/images/360_stand_cooler.jpg

The Xbox 360 Disc Case Stand & Cooling Fan lets you keep your Xbox 360 cool, when you're having those all-night gamer sessions! This unique stand will extend the lifecycle of you Xbox 360, by letting it operate at a cooler temperature. Xbox 360 electronics are heat-sensitive, and by keeping them cool you'll make sure your Xbox 360 has a longer life & better performance.

Features:
- Low noise yet powerful cooling system
- Work with indicator and console-stand function
- All in one design: Emplacement for console and for remote control

[Baboon]

Does anybody know if these things are any good?

I've seen them (horizontal and vertical) on ebay already but was not sure if they were worth shelling out for??


edit: I just had a quick search on some other forums and aparently the fan is quite loud. The other main drawback is that it uses the back USB port which for me will be no good now as its already in use with my wireless adapter. :(

[beetroot bertie]

I have a MadCatz stand fan similar in some ways to this which I bought from Amazon. It comes with a built in charger for 2 batteries that come with it and is powered by an external adpater rather than usb.

This is the fan:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Fan-Stand-Xbox-360/dp/B000GCFJT4/ref=sr_1_2/026-4228278-7094000?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1193042165&sr=8-2

To be honest I'm unsure whether to recommend it or not. I bought it as a precautionary measure due to the reported 360 failures due to overheating. I've not had any problems with my 360 since using the fan, but then again I never had any prior to getting it so maybe I'm just letting my worries get the better of me.

To it's favour, it's not too loud (ceratinly no louder than the DVD drive itself) and you can feel improved airflow through the 360. The charger might be useful but I prefer using a wired controller rather than the unnecessarily buying/disposing/charging of batteries.

On the negative, I'm unsure how much cooling actually occurs. I'm sure it works to an extent and think my 360 does run a bit cooler than it did without it but I feel the 360 internal and metal casing design doesn't encourage as much airflow as it probably could.

I've hacked at my fan's outer casing (cut big holes out of it) to maximise airflow from it, but again I'm unsure how much difference it actually makes.

There's a comparison of 2 fans over at this site which suggest some cooling does occur with both. They don't use this Madcatz fan in this comparison but a similar Pelican stand with 1 fan. The Madcatz has 2 so maybe it works better - it's hard to say. It might just be louder?
http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA5MiwxLCxoY29uc29sZQ==

Here's some pics of my butchered stand fan:

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/360/dsc0100cj4.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0100cj4.jpg)
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9682/dsc0101er4.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0101er4.jpg)
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4210/dsc0102qh2.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0102qh2.jpg)

[Baboon]

There's a comparison of 2 fans over at this site which suggest some cooling does occur with both. They don't use this Madcatz fan in this comparison but a similar Pelican stand with 1 fan. The Madcatz has 2 so maybe it works better - it's hard to say. It might just be louder?
http://console.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA5MiwxLCxoY29uc29sZQ==




Thanks for the comparison link. I've opted to go for the nyco intercooler. According to that site its a bit noiser but it seems to deliver the best cooling results. :thumbup:

[beetroot bertie]

Some people have reported problems with the Intercooler and I there's an instance of one burning and scorching where the pass through power has been iffy.

I'm sure there's not too many with this issue, but would advise reading up on the web before purchasing as there seems to be quite a bit of negativity aimed at it.

Such threads here:
http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=447404
http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=471014

I've never used one so unfortunately don't have any first hand experience. Maybe someone else might add their feelings.