Zalman ZM-2HC2 HDD Cooler

[Tiamat]

Im about to purchase this item to passively cool my maxtor 160 PATA HDD. I was wondering if any of you guys knew if this cooler performs better when it is mounted as directed (heat pipes on top) or incorrectly (heat pipes on bottom).

If I understand how heatpipes work, doesnt gravity play a role in the effectiveness of a Heatpipe? So, technically, wouldnt mounting the Zalman HDD Cooler upside down allow gravity to help the cooling fluid do its magic? Or does that not apply for this case? I noticed that on Heatpipe CPU coolers, the instructions always say that mounting the heatpipes near your PSU side is bad - and that every other position is good.

Thanks in advanced!

 

[InlineFive]

Being as heat rises doesn't it make sense to have the coils on top?

 

[Tiamat]

True, althouhg natural convection does provide that heat rises, Im not sure why, in this case, the heat pipes are on top, while for cpu cooling, that is a "no-no"

Perhaps the effects are negligable? I think the unit doesnt even fit upside down in a 5.25" bay anyways... But i was just wondering..

 

[Operandi]

Just so your aware this thing dose very little as far as cooling is concerned.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Just so your aware this thing dose very little as far as cooling is concerned.

I have heard that "it sux" and "its great" from many sources, so i figured id try it myself. Since im buying from microcenter, i can return it if it indeed "sux."

 

[pirred908]

It "sux" if you don't have any air blowing on it to release the heat, but if you do (like you mentiond installing a 120mm fan) than its works great.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: pirred908
It "sux" if you don't have any air blowing on it to release the heat, but if you do (like you mentiond installing a 120mm fan) than its works great.

alright, well, either way, im sure to post whether or not it works out. Im thinking of using an 80mm panaflo, or 92mm zalman on 5V...

Reason im doing this is because im working on a harddrive suspension and its real tough to suspend 2 HDDs on top of each other (in front of front 120mm), with 1.5" separating them. Its all set up and stuff, but i dont like the looks, so im removing one of the drives from teh suspension and hoping the Zalman will cut down on vibs and heat.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If you mount it in the 5 1/4 bay with no air running over it, it cools about the same as if you have it in the 3 1/2 with air. That's the impression I've gotten anyway. Mine mounted in the bottom of my case close to a pci blower and it seems cool. I mainly got it to rid myself of that annoying raptor seek noise. One thing to note is heat travels up so if you mount it upside down the heat will leave the pipes and hit the harddrive again. Also with heat traveling up steam will reside in the section that contacts the sides.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
If you mount it in the 5 1/4 bay with no air running over it, it cools about the same as if you have it in the 3 1/2 with air. That's the impression I've gotten anyway. Mine mounted in the bottom of my case close to a pci blower and it seems cool. I mainly got it to rid myself of that annoying raptor seek noise. One thing to note is heat travels up so if you mount it upside down the heat will leave the pipes and hit the harddrive again. Also with heat traveling up steam will reside in the section that contacts the sides.

You bring up a good point. well many rather! THanks for your thoughts! Microcenter was closed today due to some electricity outage or whatnot so i wasnt able to purchase the HDD cooler.