As computer parts get faster and faster they tend to generate more heat, the current case configurations today usually have one exhaust fan locate at the top of the case, and for the most part this works, but it doesn’t cool the things at the bottom of your case very efficiently. So many companies have come out with solutions to help this problem in the form of PCI slot coolers that suck the hot air from the bottom of your case and expel it out the back.
Up on the review block today is the Vizo Propeller 2 system cooler, this product aims to help keep your case cool by exhausting the air via a PCI slot. Does it work? Read on to find out…
Vizo Propeller 2 System Cooler Review
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: Vizo
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Model: PCL-101
System Cooler
-THE COOL STUFF IN YOUR PC
DESCRIPTION
VIZO PROPELLER SYSTEM COOLER features a powerful but quiet blower fan which is focused on increasing case cooling effect and making your system / VGA card work with excellent performance. It exhausts the hot air out of your PC chassis and keeps all your system components / VGA card cool. Real cool stuff in your PC.
FEATURES
* Fit in an expansion slot
* Blower fan provides the maximum airflow and air pressure
* Exhaust hot air out of your PC chassis and keep your system components / VGA card cool
* Make your system / VGA card work with excellent performance
* Low dBA level
* Easy to install
SPECIFICATIONS
* Dimensions : 131.7 x 87.4 x 22.5 mm
* Fan Dimensions : 65 x 65 x 15 mm
* Speed : 1500 R.P.M.
* Bearing Type : Long-Life Bearing
* Noise Level : < 20 dBA
* Max Air Flow : 5.34 CFM
* Rated Voltage : DC 12 V
* Weight : 120g
* Life Time : 40,000 Hours
SYSTEM REQUIREMENT
N/A
PACKAGE INCLUDES
* System Cooler
* Screw Package
A Better Look at Things
:
The Vizo Propeller 2 system cooler comes in an easy open plastic clamshell package, you can easily see the product through the front and part of it on the back along with specs/features listed there as well.
The Propeller 2 comes only with a set of screws, you only need one, but they included an extra, how nice of them eh?
My first impression was that the Propeller 2 is kind of ugly, and I really don’t like the color at all, but if you don’t have a window in your case it won’t matter if it’s pink right? I also noticed that the power cable is rather short, this might be a problem with large cases.
The Propeller 2 is made of plastic and is very lightweight, but it seems to be well made. There doesn’t appear to be any LEDs inside of it, I was kind of expecting them actually…
Installation, Testing and Comparison
The Propeller 2 takes up one PCI slot which is nice if you’ve got lots of thing installed in your system. Installation is easy, just stick it in a free PCI slot and plug it in.
As I mentioned earlier the power cable is short, in my case it just reached my IDE hard drive to piggyback off of. I can see where this will be a problem in larger cases or cases with different configurations.
Once powered on I noticed that I barely heard it, when the case side is on it does not add any additional noise to your system, quiet is nice.
Ambient temperature during testing was approx 19C (+/- .3C)
My system has an Intel C2D6420 with Noctua NH-U9B, ATI X1800 GTO, 1 hdd, 1 dvdrw and Gigabyte GA-G33M Motherboard.
To achieve load on CPU/HDD I used Orthos and Defrag. To achieve load on video card I used RTHDRIBL.
The Propeller 2 does help a little bit, not much though, in fact my videocard actually had a higher temp while using the Propeller 2, only 2 degrees, but still it’s a higher temperature.
Does it work? Yes..
Does it work well? Not really.
Summary:
The Vizo Propeller 2 is an interesting product, it’s quiet and it’s easy to install but it really doesn’t do much to help cool your system.
If I had to guess why this product doesn’t work well it would be because it’s so small, the intake fan is small, it just can’t pull much air through it.
As a side note, the Propeller 2 might actually perform well in an SFF case where it’s a confined space with a lot of heat build up, product like these come standard with some SFF style cases actually.
DragonSteelMods gives the Vizo Propeller 2 a 3.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Very quiet
-Easy installation
Cons:
-Short power cable
-Doesn’t do much to cool system
I would like to thank Vizo for the chance to review the Propeller 2 System Cooler and for their continued support of DSM.
Discuss, Questions HERE
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review# 413