Evercool TG-XB1 Xfan 360 Review

The Xbox 360 is arguably the hottest-running console ever created, and as such has been subject to shutdown and overheating problems. I have replaced two consoles myself, due to damage caused by overheating. Fortunately there are a few aftermarket solutions to help cool your Xbox 360, and each offers several advantages and disadvantes, which will be discussed in this article.

Evercool’s entry into post-market Xbox 360 cooling is their TG-XB1 external cooler, named the “Xfan 360”. This cooler is an external unit that attaches directly to the console’s plastic rear exhaust grill.

A closer cook
The Xfan 360 consists of two clear multi-bladed LED 60mm fans contained in a white plastic domed housing. The fans have 4 greeen LEDs each, which provide a bright glow from the rear of your Xbox 360. The fans and LEDs are powered by a USB plug, which is only long enough to reach the single USB port on the back of the console. The USB cable is a very thin and flat wire, and looks like it could be easily broken if pulled too hard.

The Xfan 360 is an external unit that clips onto the Xbox 360’s rear exhaust grill. Because it merely assists the exhaust, cooling is still performed using “negative case pressure”, which means that fresh air is drawn into the case from the simple vaccuum the exhaust creates.

One “feature” (or design flaw, depending on how you look at it) of the Xfan is that it remains on when the host console is powered off. The Xfan will continue to cool your console, bringing the internal temperature of the console down gradually. Because of this, the CPU and video chipset don’t experience the thermal buildup spike experienced when the power is suddenly cut. The disadvanage to having all this airflow going on is the additional dust that will accumulate inside the console, potentially hindering natural cooling. Also, having the fans on all the time will significatnly bite into the fans’ lifespan (or MTBF). Evercool suggests that you unplug the fan when not in use, but they do not provide an off switch, so you must fidget around the back of the console and unplug the USB cable.

Below is Evercool’s description of the Xfan 360. Some of the best examples of “Engrish” I have seen in a long time.

	Features The high performance cooling kit for X-BOX 360 only by using strongly fan. It can get heat-disappeating effectively and adjust the temperature of main unit to avoid the shut down situation. USB interface. Easy installation. Rounding arc design can connect with X-BOX 360 closely to get integration. Using Green light with more shiny working environment. Specifications Total Dimension 150 x 70 x 38mm Fan Dimension 60 x 60 x 10 mm x 2 Rated Voltage 5VDC(USB) Base Material Plastic Speed 3500 ±10%RPM Noise Level <25 dBA Bearing Type Ever Lubricate Long Life Bearing Weight 100 g Caution : The USB power cable will keeping provide the electric power no matter the power is turn off condition. We suggest to take out the power suppler of main unit or TG-XB1 when shut down the unit.

Nyko’s Intercooler fan solution automatically powers off when the console does, because it taps directly into the console’s main power supply. The Intercooler also works on negative case pressure, but also sounds like a jet engine, and is much more invasive and difficult to uninstall. Another (and better IMO) solution are the external fans that force fresh air into the console, which better equalizes the case pressure, and ensures that air intake is always open. Air intake can be severely limited depening on several factors, such as horizontal or vertial position, if the console is on carpet, and nearby equipment.

The Intercooler uses three deep 40mm fans, resulting in a much louder solution, but Evercool’s Xfan uses two shallow (10mm thick) 60mm fans (with more fan blades) so it produces good airflow without all the noise.

Microsoft’s manipulaton of the USB standard is the cause of this design decision. USB ports remain powered when the console is off (which is what allows the Play and Charge kits to continue charging after shutdown). The Xbox 360 turns off “official” peripherals (like the Xbox 360 Vision web camera) as part of the shutdown sequence, even though the USB ports are constantly powered.

Unfortunately, the Xbox 360 only recognizes certain devices, so Microsoft has complete control over what peripherals are allowed to connect to its console. Evercool’s fan has no intelligence circuitry at all, and even if it did, could it communicate with the Xbox 360? The Xfan 360 merely draws power from the USB port, and has no way of knowing if the Xbox 360 is turned off or not. It would have been very helpful if the Xfan had a power switch, which is a better alternative to replugging the small hard-to-grip USB port.

It’s also important to note that the Xfan cannot be used with the Xbox 360 Wireless Network adapter, since there is only one USB port available between the two of them.

Testing
The Xfan 360 was compared against the Nyko Intercooler and the bare Xbox 360 without any additional cooling. The Xbox 360 was running a demo loop for five minutes before measurements began. Temperatures were measured using an external IR thermometer, and the highest stable reading was recorded.

	Xbox 360 external cooler performance product No fan Evercool Xfan 360 Nyko Intercooler Ambient 76 76 76 Rear Exhaust 118 116 116 Top 92 89 89 Bottom 94 92 92 Intake 80 80 80

Both the Nyko Intercooler and Evercool Xfan 360 provide similar performance, but the Evercool is considerably quieter. Either cooling solution is better than not using one at all, and can only prolong the life of your Xbox 360 console. Speaking as someone who has had several repaired or replaced, I will never go without an external cooling solution again.

Evercool’s Xfan 360 is a mixed bag of pros and cons. On the plus side it is pleasing to look at, having a nice green glow and domed enclosure, is simple to install, and is rather quiet. On the downside, the fan remains on all the time, even when the host is turned off. Evercool does not provide an off switch, so the unit must be unplugged and plugged back in to turn it off and on. Also, the Xfan cannot be used with the Wireless Network adapter, as there is only one rear USB port available.

The ultimate Xbox 360 cooler (that didn’t void the warranty) would have both intake and exhaust fans, have low noise (less than 25dB), either not use a USB port or provide USB passthrough, and would remain on only for a few minutes after the console shut down. The current aftermarket cooling solutions only offer a few of these features, and not one claims them all.

The Evercool Xfan 360 is an interesting product, and does provide additional cooling for your Xbox 360 without additional noise. It does come with compromises, so you have to decide for yourself if it’s right for your living room.

	REPORT CARD : Evercool TG-XB1 Xfan 360 category rating comments Quality 3 The plastic housing is well constructed and has a pleasing design. Innovation 2 Uses negative case pressure and takes up the only rear USB port. Remains on after shutdown, and no power switch. Performance 4 It measurably cools your Xbox 360 without too much extra noise, even when your console is off. This “feature” could lead to problems, however. Installation 5 Installing and removing this cooler is much easier than Nyko’s solution. Value 3 A way to get extra cooling for your Xbox 360, but at the cost of a USB port, which must be manually unplugged to turn off. FINAL VERDICT: 3 out of 5 stars