That turned out to be not quite as easy as I had thought that since my case (Corsair - Carbide 330R) has in the 5.25-inch bays with quick connects. Unfortunately, Corsair has performed so consistently that, on the whole right side of the shafts only one "conventional" well is available and - how could it be otherwise? - It is true of course not match the Silentmaxx. Luckily all "conventional" holes were present at least on the left side. But what to do now on the right side? In the end, I now have the Silentmaxx in the bottom drive bay is set so that it hung just above the floor of the drive cage. On the left I saw him then as normal with the screws tightened and now on the right side it rests with 5mm thick foam feet on the bottom of the drive cage. But anyone who thinks that it would be done with it, you are wrong. Then I wanted to use the front panel of the 5.25-inch bay over again, which is my first but unfortunately did not succeed because the retaining clips of the front panel are abutted against the Silentmaxx. So again briefly unpacked the coping saw and cut the clasps by one centimeter. Now everything fits.
One can say anything negative about the optics of Silentmaxx. It looks classy and makes a high-quality finished impression. There are no sharp edges or the like and also the plain black appearance makes in connection with the metal-colored Silentmaxx logo really something forth. Also the assembly designed to more than easy. The various reviews, which speak of a "fiddly assembly", I can not understand. Who can not cope with the Silentmaxx, probably belongs to the people who already fail miserably in building a Billy-shelf. But that's a completely different topic again, is not here now ...
The evaluation of the function itself, however, you have to clearly divide into sound insulation and cooling effect.
Soundproofing: Here gets the Silentmaxx 3.5 out of 5 stars. To say that you do not hear the hard drive would be an exaggeration. A minimal hum is still noticeable and also the access noise of the read head have not gone to 100%, but now it's in absolutely at an acceptable level. Thus, my main goal has been reached by the Silentmaxx definitely and that's the main thing.
Cooling effect: This issue has to be considered somewhat differentiated in my opinion. Modern PC case have now continuously over drive cages for 3.5-inch drives. Almost always located immediately in front of a mounting position for a 120mm or even a 140mm case fan, which can shovel fresh air to the drives. So it is in my Corsair housing and accordingly hung the hard drive previously directly in the air stream. The temperature was in Durschschnitt 27-29 ° C at 21 ° C Raumtempertaur. Now the hard drive including Silentmaxx depends in 5.25 inch drive cage before which of course is not a case fan and also here the hard disk has a constant 27-29 ° C. So temperature Technically I could not tell the difference with me, because the air has to be Silentmaxx technically essential "unfavorable" position. This indicates to me though that the Silentmaxx quite does the job, but everyone should with the main intention to cool its disk better, ask if he also has the air flow in the 5.25-inch drive cage considered.
Conclusion: From "Plug & Play" is (at least for me) to be the best will no speech, but with a little patience, improvisation and the willingness to even help to put the saw on the housing, the Silentmaxx HD silencers has managed exactly what I ordered it. I would buy the product again.
