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Test Run:
We performed our test using a 120GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 7200RPM with 8MB buffer inside a VEXX Alien Ltd. Edition case. In a room temperature of approximately 24C, we tested the hard drive temperature with and without the aid of the Cooldrive3. Each test consists of a 50GB write session to the hard drive. Temperatures were read using a CompuNurse type temperature probe.
Test results show that the Cooldrive3 does a fairly good job cooling the hard drive. Not only was the initial temperature lower with the Cooldrive3 than without, but the overall change in temperature was lower with the Cooldrive3.
Final Thoughts:
Overall the Cooldrive3 did a respectable job at cooling what would have been a fairly warm hard drive. It has a nice and elegant look with the blue LED's contributing to the enclosure's cool factor. The LED's however, were not as bright as I hoped - the LED's from my fan controller were brighter. When in operation, the noise coming from the enclosure's fan was negligible. The filter although a nice touch, lacked any real functionality due to the size of its holes. With an easy installation and good cooling capabilities, the Cooldrive3 should go far in protecting your hard drive. However, I hope in the future Coolermaster will incorporate more into their Cooldrive series with functionalities such as temperature probes and fan controls.
Bottom line - if you want a nice looking effective cooling solution for your hard drive, Coolermaster's Cooldrive is a great choice. Those looking for additional functionality should look elsewhere.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Good cooling solution
- Quiet operation
- Reasonable price for a nicely constructed enclosure at $20-25
Cons:
- Has only barebone functionality
- Ineffective filter
A big thanks to Coolermaster for sending the Cooldrive3 over for review.
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