When it comes to Xbox 360 ownership, the term “Red Ring of Death” or “RROD” for short, seems part of the vernacular. This is typically caused by overheating of the system when engaged in long periods of spirited gameplay. When Halo 3 launched, many cases of these RRODs were reported, and a similar number of Xbox 360’s were shipped away in little corrugated coffins for repair or replacement. That means that anything to reduce temperatures in our Xbox 360’s is welcome. This is where NYKO comes into the picture.
The often copied NYKO Intercooler 360 was the original aftermarket cooler for the Xbox 360. This was followed by the Intercooler EX, which wasn’t an upgrade per se, but more of a fix for the short circuiting issue from the power cord pass through. Both units kept temperatures down, but the increased noise wasn’t desireable for some gamers. The Intercooler TS that we’re reviewing today wants to make things right.
What’s Inside the Box?
The Intercooler TS comes packaged with some brief but effective instructions in multiple languages, however, I did find the smaller and well illustrated quick setup sheet more than adequate. You also get a power adapter, which is a change from the powercord pass through design of its predecessors.
Features of the Intercooler TS
Unlike the previous two Intercoolers, the new Intercooler TS features a unique temperature sensor that automatically controls the fans, turning them on when needed and off when not needed. NYKO claims that this will maintain optimal temperatures in your Xbox 360. The fans automatically shut down when not needed.
The other feature of the new Intercooler TS is the external power adapter. The original Intercoolers used a pass through design, utilizing the Xbox 360’s own power cord. This caused a number of early issues like short circuiting, due to the power cord working loose, which was later rectificed in the EX version. The Intercooler TS’s external power supply not only powers the unit independently, but also allows the unit to continue cooling your Xbox 360 even after you power it down. This can improve the lifespan of your console. This is similar to how some home theatre components like TVs and Amplifiers operate.
Finally, the Intercooler TS has a new optimized fan configuration that is designed to more quickly expel hot air away from the internal components of your Xbox 360 console. The new fan configuration also reduces the size of the Intercooler TS when compared with its predecessors. This can be good when installing your Xbox 360’s in tight spaces.
Installation and Setup
Installation is a breeze. You just need to squeeze the Intercooler TS where the tabs are located (there are two pairs) and then push it onto your Xbox 360 console. Although our review unit doesn’t match our Xbox 360 ELITE, it will match your common garden variety white Xbox 360. NYKO has responded by releasing a more color coordinated version to match your ELITE goodness.
Although installation was easy, removal of the unit was a little more tedious. The tiny tabs almost met their end a couple times as I tried to squeeze the Intercooler TS off the system. This can be even more tedious if the tabs become brittle due to exposure to the heat of the system over time. However, this is one of the items that you do tend to leave on once you install it so it shouldn’t be an issue in most cases. The smaller size of the TS does allow easier installation of the USB WiFi adapter over its predecessors.
Performance and Noise Levels
Two areas that seem to be nuissances for any of the cooling systems for the Xbox 360 are cooling performance and noise levels. Since there is no temperature monitoring software on the Xbox 360, it is difficult to say if there was any measurable drop in temperature. However, common sense dictates that any airflow is good airflow and the Xbox 360 is one console that needs help to avoid the dreaded “RROD”.
One area that we can comment on is the noise level. Armed with my trusty noise level meter, I was able to measure noise levels of 42 dB for the stock system, then 42 dB for the Intercooler TS, and 55 dB for the Intercooler EX. However, it didn’t take long for the TS to kick in and this brought the noise level right up to 58 dB which is higher than the Intercooler EX. Since my Xbox 360 is stored in the open air, and not in a closed cabinet, it’s defintely not my environment that is causing the temperature sensor to charge full speed ahead.
To its benefit, the noise, though louder, wasn’t quite as annoying as my original Intercooler EX. The TS had a slightly higher pitched “hum” to it, while the three fans on the EX had more of a noisy “whir” to it. It is somewhat disappointing that even armed with a temperature sensor, the TS is still on all the time. I guess that’s more of the fault of the Xbox 360 for being such a furnace.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
I was expecting to finally have peace and quiet when doing not so system intensive things like listening to music or watching a video on my Xbox 360. This is one of the things that really annoyed me about the original Intercooler so I was kind of stunned that even with the fancy temperature sensor, the Intercooler TS still wouldn’t shut up. However, to its credit, the noise is somewhat more bearable, despite being measurably louder and it makes me feel better knowing that there is improved airflow in this design.
Like most NYKO product, the Intercooler TS is well built and definitley a step above in quality when compared to other generic cooling solutions out there. Though the noise battle continues, I can’t blame this product too much. In fact, the constant ON state of the fans may be telling of just how hot your Xbox 360 is really running. Imagine if there was no extra airflow.
At a reasonable $24.99 US MSRP, this product may be your last line of defense against the dreaded “Red Ring of Death” or “RROD”. I’d definitely pick one up if you don’t already have one of the original Intercoolers.
Pros
- Compact size makes installing the WiFi adapter and placing the Xbox 360 into tight spaces, just a little easier.
- Seperate power source solves original shorting issues and provides additional cooling after the system shuts down, prolonging system life.
- Very Easy to install (but a little difficult to take off).
- Cheap insurance against RRODs.
Cons
- Despite the addition of a temperature sensor, the fans still run all the time.
Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10.0
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