System Setup
To test the VIZO Voyager dual-fan hard disk drive cooler, I used the following components in a system built around the
CoolerMaster iTower 930 Chassis reviewed earlier this year:
- Intel E6300 Core2 DUO Processor – (Compare
Prices) - 2 x 512MB Corsair Value Select DDR2 667 – (Compare
Prices - Zalman ZM360B-APS 360 Watt Power Supply – (Provided by
ZALMAN USA) - Samsung DVD Writer – (Compare
Prices) - Seagate 300GB SATA hard disk drive – (Compare
Prices) - Seagate 320GB SATA hard disk drive – (Compare
Prices)
The VIZO Voyager will be mounted to the Seagate 320GB SATA HDD for our tests.
Our operating system of choice will be
Testing Procedure
To determine if the VIZO Voyager can cool a HDD better and faster, here’s
what we did. In order to set idle conditions, I powered up my computer and allowed the computer to
sit for 30 minutes before testing to establish idle temperatures. Using the Seagate 320GB SATA HDD as my test subject, I setup the computer to run three programs that will work the HDD. These three programs are Norton 360, Diskeeper 2007 Pro Premier and HD Tune HDD diagnostic. Each of these programs will be executed at the same time for a duration of 30 minutes and the temperature of the HDD
will be measured using HD Tune at the end of the test both with and without the
cooler.
Computers being as noisy as they are, the VIZO Voyager may increase the noise level of the computer. To find out if there is an increase in noise level, I will measure the noise level at the front of the computer by the drive bays and on the left side of the case near the center of the removable door. These test points will be at a distance of 12 inches away at both positions.
The Results
The results of the VIZO Voyager HDD cooler were very surprising to me. Having two fans, I was expecting to see a greater decrease in temperature for the HDD compared to the
VIZO
Orbiter Review.
|
Temperature |
HDD without Cooler |
HDD with Cooler |
| Start of Test |
42C |
33C |
| End of Test |
51C |
36C |
|
Noise Level |
||
| Front of Case |
43dB |
43dB |
| Left Side of Case |
47dB |
47.5dB |
If you compare the results of this test with that of the VIZO
Orbiter Review, it had up to an 11C decrease with one fan but the VIZO Voyager
had only a 9C decrease with two fans at idle. However, the VIZO Voyager performed better for the duration of the test than the VIZO
Orbiter. The VIZO Voyager had only a 3C degree increase in temperatures while the VIZO
Orbiter had a 5C increase by the end of the test. So it would appear that having
two fans makes the cooler more efficient at expelling heat than one.
The addition of the VIZO Voyager did not produce any more noise then what the computer was making. The noise that the VIZO Voyager was making was like a little hum but was not very loud
and barely audible. Based on my readings with a noise level meter, there was no difference in
levels that the naked ear could pick up.
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