Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Products like the VIZO Propeller II System Cooler are very simple things that can affect our systems in very complex ways. In this case, we’re dealing with a simple slot fan that has been tweaked from the basic design and claims performance gains in most situations. Unfortunately when you ask the question “does it really make a difference?” the short answer is “no.” In our test bed there was no appreciable difference in temperature between using and not using the Propeller II System Cooler. For $15 USD, that’s no laughing matter.
But all is not lost. The VIZO Propeller II System Cooler can find a place as a niche product. These type of fans aren’t for high end performance systems like our test bed. They mostly make their home in “momputers”, computers housed in cheap cases, and small form factor setups without any vents and less then ideal cooling conditions. In these situations, performance differences of a few degrees aren’t unheard of.
In the end, one does have to ask if the Propeller II is worth the price of admission for anything more than a break-fix product. It’s hard to justify installing it into a new computer, as you can find a very decent case with a good thermal profile for less than $100. If the Propeller II had a variable speed fan, where you could pick the amount of cooling and noise you wanted, it would be a no-brainer at its price point. Without these features, you really have to be in a situation where you would need the Propeller II to consider buying it. But if you have a modern case, I can’t see that being so.
The Good
- Quiet
- Easy to install
- Eye catching design
- Useful for those with poor cooling in the systems
The Bad
- No 3-pin connector or variable fan speed
- Low RPM and airflow
- Niche product
- No appreciable effect on performance computer
Overall Rating: 5.0/10.0
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