Whats the verdict on the PS3 Intercooler?

[Rodster]

Quote: Originally Posted by ExtremeGamer

How can you call it a piece of crap system? You launch system works flawlessly as you said. Maybe for others it's a "piece of crap", but for you, it should be a gem.

It's a piece of crap in the sense that while I have been one of the "lucky few" while others have not. Far too many breakdowns EG and I do agree with you my system has worked great but I speak out of frustration for those that have had to replace their machine more than once, that's not good.

I've been on record as saying that when the 360 works there is no other machine that can touch it. Unfortunately for the many they need several returns to find a maintenance free system. Look at the measures I have taken to ensure my 360 stays working.

[LionsFan20]

Living in Mesa, Az. is reason enough to buy an intercooler, it's freakin' hot. I PERSONALLY can notice a differnece in temp. on my PS3, electronics dont like heat, so every little bit helps.

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by LionsFan20

Living in Mesa, Az. is reason enough to buy an intercooler, it's freakin' hot. I PERSONALLY can notice a differnece in temp. on my PS3, electronics dont like heat, so every little bit helps.

Don't you think MS and Sony took that into affect when producing both systems? I'm pretty sure both companies put both consoles through stress testing that is much harsher than any environment they'd see on a daily basis. I've seen the stress testing that computer companies and a hand held company put their equipment through. I'm sure MS/Sony do the same. The amount of rigorous testing is quite impressive and might surprise some people.

I know PA doesn't get the same temps as ARZ, but the humidity is much worse around here. I would think that type of thick, moist humidity would be much harder on a piece of electronic equipment. Ironically enough, my cable HD DVR box produces more heat than my 360. The 360 does produce heat, but nothing out of the ordinary IMO. Same as my PC.

Only problem I see is that MS seems to have a bad batch of 360's out there. It doesn't matter what type of environment those 360's are in, they're going to die at some point.

[LionsFan20]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

Don't you think MS and Sony took that into affect when producing both systems? I'm pretty sure both companies put both consoles through stress testing that is much harsher than any environment they'd see on a daily basis. I've seen the stress testing that computer companies and a hand held company put their equipment through. I'm sure MS/Sony do the same. The amount of rigorous testing is quite impressive and might surprise some people. I know PA doesn't get the same temps as ARZ, but the humidity is much worse around here. I would think that type of thick, moist humidity would be much harder on a piece of electronic equipment. Ironically enough, my cable HD DVR box produces more heat than my 360. The 360 does produce heat, but nothing out of the ordinary IMO. Same as my PC. Only problem I see is that MS seems to have a bad batch of 360's out there. It doesn't matter what type of environment those 360's are in, they're going to die at some point.

True enough, but on the same sort of subject, automobile companies spend hundreds of millions developing cars and stress testing them, but it doesn't do much good here. we go through batteries,radiators, all a/c parts like no where else in the country. We are considered an extremely climate state.

[Rodster]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

Don't you think MS and Sony took that into affect when producing both systems? I'm pretty sure both companies put both consoles through stress testing that is much harsher than any environment they'd see on a daily basis. I've seen the stress testing that computer companies and a hand held company put their equipment through. I'm sure MS/Sony do the same. The amount of rigorous testing is quite impressive and might surprise some people. I know PA doesn't get the same temps as ARZ, but the humidity is much worse around here. I would think that type of thick, moist humidity would be much harder on a piece of electronic equipment. Ironically enough, my cable HD DVR box produces more heat than my 360. The 360 does produce heat, but nothing out of the ordinary IMO. Same as my PC. Only problem I see is that MS seems to have a bad batch of 360's out there. It doesn't matter what type of environment those 360's are in, they're going to die at some point.

I gotta disagree mjb, because I don't know what MS was stress testing because it couldn't have been the 360. These things are dying left and right. If they had done proper testing and QC they would have caught the X-Clamp and overheating problems which are directly related to the X-Clamp Heatsink breaking loose and generating the R.R.O.D.

Pictures are beginning to surface on the net that shows a new designed heatsink is on it's way to help reduce the R.R.O.D. in the 360's. Now Sony seems to have done their homework because failures don't appear to be as high as the 360.

I'm still for helping any electronic piece of equipment run as cool as possible. My 360 is still kicking with the Intercooler attached and some other measures i've used to help prolong the life of my 360.

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodster

I gotta disagree mjb, because I don't know what MS was stress testing because it couldn't have been the 360. These things are dying left and right. If they had done proper testing and QC they would have caught the X-Clamp and overheating problems which are directly related to the X-Clamp Heatsink breaking loose and generating the R.R.O.D. Pictures are beginning to surface on the net that shows a new designed heatsink is on it's way to help reduce the R.R.O.D. in the 360's. Now Sony seems to have done their homework because failures don't appear to be as high as the 360. I'm still for helping any electronic piece of equipment run as cool as possible. My 360 is still kicking with the Intercooler attached and some other measures i've used to help prolong the life of my 360.

I'm sure they did stress test, but I also think there was a bad batch which is the result of many of the failures. Say they had 10 assembly lines going and 1 of those lines the machine wasn't calibrated perfectly resulting in problems with the X-Clamp. I think that's the only way to explain a large chunk of people having issues and another large chunk of issues that haven't experienced 1 hiccup. We'll never see the numbers, but I'm sure many more people have had 360's not die over those that have had them die. Aside from guys on here, I don't know anyone personally that has had 1 die. Maybe my region was lucky and got a batch of 360's that were good?

Here's a picture of my launch 360/setup that still runs as smooth as the day I bought it. It gets air from all angles, but the air from the right where the HD DVR is, is pretty warm:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...3/IMG_0305.jpg

I'm fine with keeping electronic equipment cool, but I also know they're designed and tested to deal with extreme measures. My 360, HDTV, multiple computers and HD DVR all produce a lot of heat and none of it I find out of the ordinary. I have no problem with other's spending money on intercoolers, but personally, I think it's a waste of money and isn't going to help the 360's lifespan. IMO, if you have one that's going to die, it's going to die with or without an intercooler. Basically, I think the intercooler is a placebo.