At First arrival of my iXPS Gen2 , I immediately started looking for additional accessories to add to the look and performance of this masterpiece of a laptop. One thing I did notice, although it has a Pentium M 760 when it's running at maximum performance it can produce a good amount of heat underneath. So, I went ahead and started looking for a viable notebook cooler to use with this laptop. I Previously used an antec cooler with my laptops owned in the past but the iXPS's size is one to reckon with. Not every notebook cooler will work with it.



One evening while web surfing around I found the PacificBreeze LED Cooler. First thing that caught my eye was the Blue LED's. I thought it matched perfectly with iXPS Gen2 so I ordered one from Ebay for $18.00 Upon receiving it I decided let's give this cooler a try.



The cooler itself utilizes a lightweight design consisting of two 70mm x 70mm x 25mm ball bearing DC fans with high density blue colored LED lights inside. The size the cooler itself is 10in x 1.5 in x 3.5 in. The fan speed can be adjusted by a simple flick of a switch to push an ample airflow of 23.8 CFM. The back edge of my iXPS Gen2 sits on the edge of this device with two small antiskid 1/2 in sq pads. It looks precarious but it is very stable. The air flow comes from above the device and flows out its side to underneath the laptop (obviously the laptop is now at an angle). The power supply is an USB cable that connects from the device to the laptop. There is another USB outlet on the device, presumably to replace the one it's occupying on the laptop. Not bad. Good value. Good conversation piece, which is not so good if you're trying to study.



The PacificBreeze serves as both a notebook stand, elevating the rear of your notebook slightly (1-1.5") to make typing more comfortable and a notebook cooler, circulating cool air underneath your iXPS Gen2. I have noticed an overall cooler temp when the cooler is operating. Seems to be few a degrees or Celsius drop in temp. I could have rigged a thermal probe with the laptop, but if it was on the bottom, the fans would cause the temperatures to drop because of the direct airflow. It's almost a moot point because plastic doesn't conduct heat very well. I use Fangui and noticed my CPU dropped from it normally running at 46 Celsius to 40. The GPU went from 56 Celsius to 52 Celsius. These temps were taken both under normal operating conditions and not under gaming conditions. In either case....it shows an improvement.
And now......how does this cooler look with the iXPS Gen2? Well, you be the judge.





















PacificBreeze LED Cooler: Highlights.

Features:
-2 port USB 2.0 hub
-2 ball bearing blue LED fans
-Rubber feet for secure and stable grip
-Reduces risk of heat damage to desks and laps


Technical Specs:
Dimensions Housing: 260x100x26 mm
Double Fan: 70x70x25 mm
Bearing Ball bearing
Rated speed 2,100 ~ 2,600 RPM +/-10%
Noise 19.5 ~ 25.2 dBA
Air flow 19.2 CFM at 2,100 RPM or 23.8 CFM at 2,600 RPM
Power USB interface
Life hours 50.000
Features Low noise, 2 fan speed settings, easy USB interface


Average Price = $14.95 to $19.95


Anyway, this item is a must have for an iXPS Gen2 onwer. It has a neat icy blue light when running: very eye catching. Just that little extra needed in that LAN game and a perfect match to the already running light show on the iXPS. I give it a score "8 out of 10" for value.



U.N.inspector

I have a 9300 and i believe this will work as good as it did with your xps2. What do u think? Also im a lil curious to kno that it seems like it blows air in the xps2 where the xps2 blows out. Isnt this contradicting? THANX!!

260mm x 100mm x 26mm

which is roughly:
10.3" x 4.5" x 1.2"


The XPS Gen 2 size is: (off Dell website.)
Height: 1.67 inches (42.4 mm)
Width: 15.5 inch (394 mm)
Depth: 11.3 inch (288 mm)

Leaving appx 2.5" on each side. Calculations show the cooler fans are not in direct line of the exhaust. Plus....I can feel the cool air underneath the iXPS Gen2 blowing.

U.N.inspector

ok thanx

I bought 1 from ebay and i totally agree with U.N.inspector it rawks.
And also it saves me a few degrees on gaming.

Hmm I like that idea. I've been propping up my XPS 2 since it makes it easier to type and keeps things a little cooler. For $20, that's something to consider. Good review, I like pictures.

I bought one right after seeing U.N's first post on it; and it's perfect. Great Review. For $15-$20 - you can't do better.
.

Thanks Guys....
Sorry about the delay in the review...

But in any case, I'm still "loving" my PacificBreeze....


U.N.inspector

No Problem it was worth the wait.
How is the new house btw ?

All that can be expected from a Florida Town House.
But.....I'm finally starting to get used to the place. Thanks for asking.

U.N.inspector

Umm.... so basically that cooler is sucking in the hot air that is being blown out by the fans on the back of the XPS.

the XPS sucks air in from the bottom and blows it out the back.

Unfortunately,
I don't have CAD installed to create a diagram to show you that it doesn't suck in the "hot" air. I repeat.....the exhaust for the XPS in on the outer most left and right(taking up the most outer 2.5"). The Cooler pulls air in from above sitting in the "center".......

"The XPS2 Exhaust path does not cross the Coolers intake"


U.N.inspector

Do you have any before and after temps with gaming and maybe when the PC is idle?

Quote from above:

"I use Fangui and noticed my CPU dropped from it normally running at 46 Celsius to 40. The GPU went from 56 Celsius to 52 Celsius. These temps were taken both under normal operating conditions and not under gaming conditions. In either case....it shows an improvement."

And to be honestly plunt.....
For $18.00 I'm happy with it's 4 Celsius drop in temp during normal operating conditions. If I was really worried about temp. I would have spend more $$$ on something with more CFM's. We are riding Pentium M CPU's....there's no need to spent a ton of $$ on expensive coolers unless your mind is set on one specially.

U.N.inspector

Yeah, I agree. With the XPS 2, you don't need to worry about heat. I just finished a nice little BF2 session (1.5hours straight) and using the 77.72 drivers, I had the GPU temp settings up during the entire time. When I quit, the temp monitor said 81 C. Granted that it dropped 1 or 2 degrees in the short time it takes to quit, and the ambient temperature is 87 F in my room right now, it's pretty good.