Dual Volt 6 Port Baybus Review - Dual Volt 6 Port Baybus Review

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Manufacturers:	Xoxide
Product:	Dual Voltage 6 Port Baybus (Blue/Red)
Price:	USD$39.99 (on sale, $34.99)
Availability:	NOW
Reviewed By:	Cygnus_x_1
Review Date:	November 2002

 

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Performance:

The only performance improvement you will gain in having installed a Baybus is the ability to change the voltage output on your fans. Normally the Baybus operates in full 12V output, and with this version you have the ability to turn the fan off completely, or operate it at 7V. When you operate the fans at 7V the noise is GREATLY reduced. So when your not running your rig at full tilt, you can give your ears a break and run the fans at 7V. The is a price to pay for running your fans at 7V, your interior case temps, and cpu temps will rise. With the following setup, here are the temp differences in my situation:

 

SYSTEM LAYOUT:

   *  MSI KT3 Ultra ARU
   *  AMD XP 1700+ Unlocked
   *  512 Kingmax 2700 (2x256 sticks)
   *  Maxtor 80 gig ATA133 7200 rpm hdd
   *  2 x Maxtor 20 gig ATA133 7200 rpm hdd Raid 0
   *  Lite On 16x DVD
   *  Lite On 40x12x48 CDRW
   *  ATI Radeon 9700 PRO
   *  SB Live! 5.1 X-Gamer
   *  Windows XP Pro
   *  BadAss Case (Yellow Aluminum Cheiftec modded by VoyeurMods)
   *  In the window, 1x120mm Delta 130CFM top blowhole


HOOKED UP TO BAYBUS DURING TESTING:

   * Two Sunon 80mm intake fans in the front of the case on the first switch
   * Two Sunon 80mm exhaust fans in the rear of the case on the second switch
   * Two clear 80mm intake fans in the window on the third switch
   * One PCI slot system blower on the fourth switch
   * One Delta 120mm intake fan on the fifth switch
   * One 12" neon light and one 12" UV cold cathode

Operating the Baybus at the full 12V with an average ambient temp of 25°C, the idle case temps are steady at 32°C, and the idle CPU temp is at 31°C.
 

Here are the load temps operating the bus at 12V.
 

Switching the Baybus to 7V results in a quieter, but warmer system. Still with the average ambient of 25°C, now we see a slight increase to 33°C, and the CPU at 33°C as well.
 

Under Load we hit 38°C on the case, and 38°C on the CPU as well.
 

Overall not too bad of a showing running the Baybus at 7V for normal activities like checking mail, surfing the 'net, etc. But when yuo start loading the CPU you'll want to definitely run the fans at full throttle.
 

 

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Being in the modder mindset, I have a work around if you have a spare dead power supply laying around. Clip off the molex ends, and strip the yellow and black wires (12V), then tape off the red and black, then cover w/ some loom. This way your fans stay intact. Here is a pic.
 

 

 

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Conclusion:

The Baybus is a very welcomed product, and its great to see them being mass produced, and readily available. The installation is a snap for even the most inexperienced user. Once the Baybus is in your case, your ears, and eyes are in for a treat. The dual voltage settings allow you to run your fans quieter when the system doesn’t need the extra cooling, and the dual LED’s look simply awesome. I always thought I would be a DIY modder, but with more and more products, that not too long ago we had to ‘make fit’ in our rigs (i.e. windows, neon’s, h2o, Baybus’, etc…), being professionally built, you can now have more time getting back to enjoying your system instead of constantly working on mods for it. (I know I have!!)
 

Pros:

· Pre-Assembled, just drill the face plate, and wire it up

· Fair Price

· Easy way to control fan output noise

· Control up to 12 fans on a single unit (2 fans per channel)

 

Cons:

· You have to cut the molex connector’s off your fans

· If you have the know how, cheaper to build your own.

 

I want to thank Chris from Xoxide for supplying the this Baybus for us to look at.   One of the cool things about having a sponsor we believe in is being able to send you over there and KNOWING you'll be treated right.  Sooo, with that in mind, head on over toXoxide and check out theirbaybus, and all the other cool stuff they have for modding your PC.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

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