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You didn't expect your Xbox 360 to double as a 200 sq/ft space heater when you bought it, but there it is; the thing runs hot and may be susceptible to failure because it, especially if you don't blow it out with compressed air every so often (hint: don't use a vacuum cleaner to suck the dustbunnies from your 'box as those cause static electricity, which is bad). Though Microsoft recently extended the Xbox 360's warranty to three years to cover such a catastrophic event, Nyko has all the while had the kindness of heart -- or plain old market awareness -- to create the Intercooler EX for Xbox 360.
Self-described as a "high efficiency cooling device," the Intercooler is basically a tri-pack of fans housed in a snap-on shell that affixes to the back of your 360 right over top of the power jack and internal fan grill, complete with new and seriously beefed-up, pass-through power slot with metal housing (as opposed to plastic in previous iterations).
Available in black to coincide with the new, none-more-black Xbox 360 Elite, the new Intercooler EX (actually the third version) also sports a grooved slot for the 360's Wi-Fi adapter (sold separately) and otherwise fits all three Xbox 360 models -- the 360's chassis is essentially identical on the Core, Premium and new Elite systems. The Intercooler EX will keep a 360 running noticeably cooler (by 20 - 30%, Nyko claims) than it would run without, prolonging hardware life and definitely reducing the risk of a catastrophic overheat.
On the downside, the Intercooler isn't exactly quiet. In fact, it's exactly noisy. But you can't really expect less decibels from a $20, three fan array. Besides, you buy it for the chill factor, not for its ability to whisper sweet nothings.
Though an earlier version of the Intercooler had a switch that allowed you to turn the extra fans off while the 360 remained on --- otherwise the device powers down with the system itself -- so you could at least watch a low-heat movie without all the whirring background noise, that manual on/off switch in not available on this latest Intercooler EX. Bummer. Then again, earlier versions of the Intercooler were alleged to short-circuit or otherwise cause system failures and meltdowns on their own (which could also be the fault of user-ineptitude), so perhaps omitting the manual switch while also seriously retooling the thing under the guise of "consumer demand" was the company's only real option. And you should know that using a "3rd party" device such as the Intercooler can nullify your Xbox 360 warranty, so if the thing still melts... Whatever, new Intercooler EX clamps on solid, connects resolutely, and blows (in a good way) hard.
Industrial strength earmuffs sold separately.
Reviewed: Jul. 10, 2007
Type: GameTech, Gear
From: Nyko
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