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Super Duper Slot Fan
Super Duper Slot Fan - PCSTATS
Slot fans can make all the difference in cooling performance. We tested one thoroughly, and explain how to get the most out of it!
 81% Rating:   
Filed under: Cooling / Heatsinks Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: 3DCool Feb 01 2000   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Cooling / Heatsinks > 3DCool

3DCool's Super Duper Slot Fan


Slot coolers are basically thin squirrel fans that mount in an empty ISA/PCI bay and work to expel hot air from inside the case. While meant primarily to cool adjacent cards, they also help to keep the case temp down as well. We took a look at one from 3Dcool and tested just how well it did at these two jobs - cooling an adjacent video card, and cooling overall case temp.

Benefits
One advantage slot fans have when used as a case fan is that no modifications to the case are necessary to install them. The fan simply fits into any free bay (assuming you have one) and plugs into the motherboard or power supply. We've talked about installing case fans in different parts of a case before on Pcstats, and they all involved cutting or drilling in some way. For those not interested in that kinna thing, slot fans can easily be used as a case fan.

Slot fans are often seen cooling adjacent cards, especially video cards with their hot BGA chipsets. The idea being the slot fan can be installed in the next bay, and help to draw the hot air from the video card (AGP or PCI only) directly out of the case before it has much of a chance to raise case temperature. 

The Specs:

The slot fan we tested was well made, and had the benefit of not taking up an entire power cord, or spot on the mother board. It plugged into the power supply, but had a Y-connector so another male jack was available. If it didn't have this feature we probably wouldn't have been able to test it as our computer had no spare power connectors.

The fan uses sleeve bearings which while properly lubricated offer long life and quiet performance. While sleeve bearings are a bit cheaper to use then ballbearings (typically on the order of $1.50 - $2.00 less), the price of this unit is reasonable at $17, and should last quietly for quite a while.

  • 3200RPM, very quiet
  • Fits into any empty slot
  • Expels air to outside case
  • Pass-Thru power cable
  • LIFETIME Warranty
  • Sleeve bearing motor
  • 12VDC 0.15A brushless
  • Dimensions: 110 x 90 x 20mm
  • Cost: $17 USwww.3dcool.com
  • © 2023 PCSTATS.com Next Page >

     

    Contents of Article: 3DCool
     Pg 1.  — Super Duper Slot Fan
     Pg 2.  Effect on Temperature
     Pg 3.  BGA temperature results
     Pg 4.  What do the numbers say?

     
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