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Xilence Icebox Passive Hard Disk Cooler
Installation:
Installation was not so tough, even while digging through the confines of my cramped case. After taking out your 3.5" drive, you simply use the four sunk screws to fasten the hard drive into the Xilence Icebox. After that, you add the dampers, the ground wire, and simply slide the Xilence Icebox into the 5.25" bay. And then it's just a matter of securing the Icebox in the bay and reconnecting all cables that had to be disconnected.
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Testing:
I tested the hard drive temperature by using Cyrstal Disk Info. Before the HDD Cooler was installed the temperature was reading a steady 35 degrees Celsius (that is about 95 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature stayed constant while idle and in use for about an hour time. After installing the HDD Cooler the temperature originally dropped to 30 degrees Celsius. It remained at that steady temperature for about a half hour before climbing to 33 degrees Celsius (about 88 degrees Fahrenheit).
So, in terms of temperature change, only 2 degrees Celsius and 3.6 Fahrenheit were seen.
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Before HDD Cool Installation |
After HDD Cooler Installation |
Conclusion:
The Xilence Icebox does seem to do it's job in decreasing hard drive temperatures, but in this case not by much. I am sure within other cases it may vary or even decrease further. For the Iceboxes price ($25-$32 as far as I have seen) it is a well built product and does it's job. All-in-all I do not really see the average consumer needing an HDD cooler like the Xilence Icebox unless of course they are looking for every item to help keep their PC as cool as possible or specifically having issues with hard drives overheating.
