Antec VCool

Category: Hardware / Cooling

Product: Antec VCool

VGA Cooler

Website: www.antec.com

Date of Review: July 21, 2005

Price Tag: $19.95 from www.antec.com

Review By: Mark Fitch markfitch2003@gmail.com

Thanks go to the Antec Team for sending this product to us and for allowing us to test it.

Goal of Review

The goal of this review is to state the facts on the performance of the Antec VCool.

System Info

The system that I installed and ran this fan consisted of

OS Windows Xp Pro Sp2

Cpu 1.4 Amd T-Bird running at 1.85ghz

MB Asus A7v133

Memors 1.5 Gig Pc133 Sdram

DVD-Rom Lite-On DVD+/-RW Dual Layer +R9

CD-Rom Mitsumi 54x32x54 Cd-rw

Hard Drives 4, 250 Gig Maxtor 7200 rpm

Raid 0 Striping

1, 400 Gig Seagate 7200 rpm Next Review

Video Card GeForce FX 5200 APG 128mb DDR

Network Netgear 10/100/1000 Pci Nic

Sound Creative Labs SB Audigy 4 Pro

-=Introductions=-

I was sent the Antec’s VCool VGA cooler about 2 weeks ago. The Packaging was definitely an A++. Inside I found the cooler packaged inside this hard to open plastic packaging. Hard to open but protects the product wonderfully. In the package consisted of the VCool and also an extension for those longer than normal video cards.

-=Description=-

When I removed the VCool from the packaging I was a bit disappointed. I figured a cooler like this would have been a bit sturdier and not have the feel of “Don’t Drop me or it will shatter into a million pieces”. Installing the extension tube was so simple since u only had to press 2 tabs and it came right apart. On the fan grill that shows up on the back of your computer there is a small switch that allows you to change speeds. Low, Med, and High naturally.

The VCool has 1 very nice feature to it and that is the blue glow that goes all over in the case when it is plugged in.

-=Installation=-

Installation was a somewhat easy install. This product takes 2 slots instead of the standard 1 and is equipped with a standard 4 ping power connection. Yes, the one that goes into your hard drive or cdrom.

I figured I would try a new method to see how fool proof this is to install. I decided to go to my parents’ house and have my mom who is a school teacher install it. A little bit of background on my mom. Teaches Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and other classes in normal, special education, and also behavior disordered kids. She has master’s degrees in Math and English. She knows how to use the computer for everyday activities. When I asked her to install a part for me she had a fit. She said there was no way that she could do it unless there were instructions that she could read first. When I showed her what I wanted installed she looked at me and said your kidding. Just as soon as I had the case open she had her hands in there moving around cards making space for the VCool. 10 Minutes and a not so internal computer user had it installed. Simple and n00b proof.

-=The Test=-

Now comes the part that I gave to my little brother. I took a temp sensor and installed it between the VCool and the video card. Was giving me about 95 degrees F. Not bad from an over clocked video card that’s outdated. I told my brother to run the computer as hard and as long as possible playing graphic intense games. Example Doom 3. After only 45 minutes of playing the temp was at a steady 94 degrees F with the VCool on low. We repeated this 2 more times and had the following results.

Side of Case: On

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Low Med High

1. 92 91

Side of Case: Off

Trial 1 Trial2 Trial 3

Low Med High

1. 90 88-89 steady

Taking the side of a computer off increased the cooling because the heat can escape so much faster and cool air can replace it.

From beginning to end of these tests Temp was monitored, Power, the air flow of the fan using a match’s smoke to show circulation to an extent, and finally the trait most people care about the most the NOISE!!

From this VCool unit with the case side on and off little to no noise can be pinpointed to the cooler.

That’s right almost a dead silence from the VCool.

Since I have received this product it has been running non stop for almost 2 weeks nearly problem free.

-=Problems=-

Any product that can be bought or software that is installed has problems. The VCool unit had some minor glitches that will be discussed here.

After being left on for 2 weeks I shutdown and on the reboot I noticed the VCool didn’t start back up when the power was removed from it. Though I was able to take a quick burst of compressed air and it started right back up fine. Although, it happens to stop on a reboot about 1/5 times.

When my mom first installed it we had to remove 1 of the plastic tabs that hold the VCool to the extension tube since it was right over a pci slot. 1 quick move of the hand and the tab is gone. Even though 1 tab was removed the VCool was still quite sturdy.

-=IS IT WORTH IT=-

Is it worth it?? The price tag on this item is $19.95 such found on the Antec website. I asked 20 fellow computer guys around town and at the local hardware shops if they would buy it. From them looking at the packaging and fitting it into their computers to have a quick go, it was a 50/50 split.

So what made them want it / not want it? Note these are actual responses

1. Feels kinda cheap
2. Dude its Antec they rock
3. I like the Blue light
4. Doesn’t move as much air as I though
5. 2 Slots your kidding
6. $20 Where did you get it

The responses were mixed from price to the amount of air flow it produced. In my option is this product worth it? For my little brother who has his computer stuck in a computer desk with little to no air flow the 5 degrees difference made a big difference. For me having full towers with fans galore it is almost unneeded.

-=Summary=-

Now it comes to the nitty gritty. From the temp tests I have conducted the VCool has placed fairly midrange for my cooling standards. I loved the blue led fan glowing from the fan and the fact that it was so dead quiet. A quality not many products can accomplish. I would like to see a VCool Extreme created for gamers and hardcore crazy cooling guys. That came with a larger fan, speed monitoring, more air flow, and a various other colors.

-=Conclusion=-

I rated this product 2 times. The first is as a everyday user and the other as a hardcore power user.

Normal Max 10

Cost 10/10

User Friendly 9/10

Installation 10/10

Performance 9.5/10

Noise 10/10

Neat O Factor 10/10

Overall Score 58.9/60

Pros:

The install was easy

No noise

The Price $19.95 www.antec.com

Cons:

None

Power User Max 10

Cost 10/10

User Friendly 8/10

Installation 9/10

Performance 7/10

Noise 10/10

Neat O Factor 8/10

Overall Score 52/60

Pros:

Install quick and simple

No noise

1. speed fan

Price Tag

Cons:

No way to monitor how fast the fan is going

Doesn’t move enough air even on high speed

-=Various Notes=-

The VCool is a good piece of cooling for the everyday user or a new comer to computer modifications / overclocking. I felt that for $20 and 5 degrees of cooling is worth it. I feel I must add you do get what you pay for.

-=THE END=-

In closing I would like to thank Antec for sending me the VCool to review and Keep up the good work. I hope that I will be considered again for a potential reviewer.

Thanks for taking the time to read my LONG review of the Antec VCool VGA cooler.

Mark Fitch markfitch2003@gmail.com