RaidSonic ICY BOX IB-351StUS
Tue, 08/28/2007 - 14:04 — Tomas Hlatky
In today's review I will introduce an external aluminum combo-case from a German firm RaidSonic, specifically the model ICY BOX IB-351StUS for 3,5" SATA HDD with an integrated USB 2.0 and SATA.
Introduction
German Company RaidSonic, established in 1999 is engaged in producing external cases for 5,25", 3,5", 2,5" and 1,8" devices, SATA or classic IDE that are connected to the computer via USB, FireWire, eSATA interface or their various combinations. RaidSonic portfolio does not end here, other products offered are various NAS systems, mobile racks, backplane systems, multi-card readers, SOHO/RAID systems as well as range of accessories such as bags for transporting external cases, carrier trays, fans, cables and disk controllers. I had an opportunity to test one of the products, specifically ICY BOX IB-351StUS from IB-351 series, and would like to share with you my experience using this product. As I have already mentioned, IB-351StUS is just one from the range of IB-351 cases. Besides the silver model which I have tested, an identical model in black - part IB-351StUS-B is also available. For IDE disks there are models IB-351UE and IB-351UE-B available in silver or black that can be connected to the PC via USB 2.0 or FireWire.
Packaging and accessories
IB-351 is packed in a medium size cardboard box with handle so it can be easily carried. The front side of the box features images of the IB-351 in both available colors. Information about compatibility with Windows as well as MAC operating systems is also printed. Silver label above the lower margin on the front side of the box indicates which system is included. Both sides of the box include information in German and English language about the features of the whole range of cases and detailed description of the model included. Back side of the box includes description in three additional languages.
Upon opening of the box you will immediately see the ICY BOX in front of you. It is separated from other accessories bellow it by a cardboard panel.
ICY BOX package content
IB-351 Series
The IB-351 certainly does not feature standard design. It stands out from other competing products but it also has its disadvantages. Most importantly, the size of the case (220x128x37mm) is unnecessary large. The inside dimensions where the 3,5" HDD fits in are 160x115mm but the size of the 3,5" HDD is 147x101x26mm, so the case is 10mm longer and 15mm wider. Perhaps you think I complaint about nothing, but let me explain first. At fault is the case design itself. It is made of two 1,2mm thick aluminum panels, clear plastic support columns in each corner - these have grooves in them to hold side walls made out of black screen material. See picture bellow.
Case can be "opened" from both sides by loosening large screws in each corner of the enclosure. It is here where we attach the 8 included self-adhesive rubber feet (4 on both sides), these will prevent the surface where we put the case from scratching. Screws can be easily unscrewed by hand. Personally I really like the fact that both, the feed and the data connector are soldered directly to the printed circuit to eliminate the risk of breaking the data cables, as I'm sure many of you have experienced with the old IDE enclosures for 5,25". My excitement was over as soon as I inserted the disk into the case. At this point the shortcomings in the case construction became apparent. If you don't screw the disk to the bottom of the case it is held only by the connector and moves from side to side. As I mentioned before, there is plenty of clearance between the disk and the case so it is somewhat dangerous to keep the disk loosely in the case without attaching it. Even if the box dimensions were smaller and the side walls would hold the disk in place, screen material the side walls are made of is not strong enough. Under the weight of HDD which is typically 700g, the screen can collapse and I can say with confidence that if I were to install HDD this way and threw it in my backpack with the intention to transport my data, I would later find the disk out of the case with sidewalls deformed. So once the disk is connected, it is necessary to use the included screws and attach it securely to the case. If you only have one HDD intended for external use then you don't have to worry. But if you need to change the disk more frequently, it's a very annoying procedure. On the picture you can also notice wires from printed circuit connected to the red and green LED, located in the right front support column.
Picture above shows the rear panel of ICY BOX where we find a power switch, DC power connector, USB and SATA connectors.
Test equipment and software used
Testing
The ICY BOX test procedure was as following: I tested one of my HITACHI disks in my computer first and then installed in the case, first connected via SATA and later via USB. Both tests were performed using SiSoftware SANDRA Pro Business XI SP2, Benchmarks and module File Systems software.
As we can see from the table of measured values, the disk is switched to SATA300 speed (Buffered Read is more than 150MB/s) and it's maintained even when the disk is connected via external case. The fact that the measured values are almost identical is not surprising. Problem would be if the values were different. Also, the disk in the external case is basically connected to the PC the same way as if it was in the PC since the SPIF215A Chip (from SunplusIT company) is located on the printed circuit board and only provides communication between SATA and USB. When connected via USB the SiSoft SANDRA enabled the disk with 32MB/s Drive Index, an expected value. The USB 2.0 Hi-Speed standard has a theoretical 480 Mbp/s (60MB) speed data rate, but in reality it is difficult to exceed 35 MB/s. This is where the ICY BOX really shines.
Conclusion
I have mixed feelings about the ICY BOX IB-351StUS. Personally, I don't like its physical construction but that does not mean other users won't find it practical, especially if they don't need to swap disk in the case frequently. However, there is still few more things I did not mention. First again involves the screen side walls which allow for decent disk cooling, but since the case is basically open one can hear the noise from disk during head-seeking or motor spinning, more so if your disk is really noisy. Another issue is with the plastic stand which allows the box to stand vertically. The edge of the stand is uneven so the case placed in the stand is unstable. Not to sound too negative, I must mention that the box performed as expected - it allows to connect the 3,5" HDD to the PC via SATA or USB ports and does it really well. It's up to you to decide if the ICY BOX is for you.
Picture Gallery
Thanks to my great friend gAnitass for pictures
Author: Tomas Hlatky
Introduction
German Company RaidSonic, established in 1999 is engaged in producing external cases for 5,25", 3,5", 2,5" and 1,8" devices, SATA or classic IDE that are connected to the computer via USB, FireWire, eSATA interface or their various combinations. RaidSonic portfolio does not end here, other products offered are various NAS systems, mobile racks, backplane systems, multi-card readers, SOHO/RAID systems as well as range of accessories such as bags for transporting external cases, carrier trays, fans, cables and disk controllers. I had an opportunity to test one of the products, specifically ICY BOX IB-351StUS from IB-351 series, and would like to share with you my experience using this product. As I have already mentioned, IB-351StUS is just one from the range of IB-351 cases. Besides the silver model which I have tested, an identical model in black - part IB-351StUS-B is also available. For IDE disks there are models IB-351UE and IB-351UE-B available in silver or black that can be connected to the PC via USB 2.0 or FireWire.
Packaging and accessories
IB-351 is packed in a medium size cardboard box with handle so it can be easily carried. The front side of the box features images of the IB-351 in both available colors. Information about compatibility with Windows as well as MAC operating systems is also printed. Silver label above the lower margin on the front side of the box indicates which system is included. Both sides of the box include information in German and English language about the features of the whole range of cases and detailed description of the model included. Back side of the box includes description in three additional languages.
ICY BOX package content
- AC adapter - CWT model PAGO342
- High Speed USB Rev. 2.0 cable A-B
- Serial ATA cable
- PCI bracket with serial ATA connector
- 5 screws
- 8 self-adhesive rubber feet
- Translucent plastic stand which allows the box to stand vertically
- Manual
- CD with drivers
IB-351 Series
The IB-351 certainly does not feature standard design. It stands out from other competing products but it also has its disadvantages. Most importantly, the size of the case (220x128x37mm) is unnecessary large. The inside dimensions where the 3,5" HDD fits in are 160x115mm but the size of the 3,5" HDD is 147x101x26mm, so the case is 10mm longer and 15mm wider. Perhaps you think I complaint about nothing, but let me explain first. At fault is the case design itself. It is made of two 1,2mm thick aluminum panels, clear plastic support columns in each corner - these have grooves in them to hold side walls made out of black screen material. See picture bellow.
Case can be "opened" from both sides by loosening large screws in each corner of the enclosure. It is here where we attach the 8 included self-adhesive rubber feet (4 on both sides), these will prevent the surface where we put the case from scratching. Screws can be easily unscrewed by hand. Personally I really like the fact that both, the feed and the data connector are soldered directly to the printed circuit to eliminate the risk of breaking the data cables, as I'm sure many of you have experienced with the old IDE enclosures for 5,25". My excitement was over as soon as I inserted the disk into the case. At this point the shortcomings in the case construction became apparent. If you don't screw the disk to the bottom of the case it is held only by the connector and moves from side to side. As I mentioned before, there is plenty of clearance between the disk and the case so it is somewhat dangerous to keep the disk loosely in the case without attaching it. Even if the box dimensions were smaller and the side walls would hold the disk in place, screen material the side walls are made of is not strong enough. Under the weight of HDD which is typically 700g, the screen can collapse and I can say with confidence that if I were to install HDD this way and threw it in my backpack with the intention to transport my data, I would later find the disk out of the case with sidewalls deformed. So once the disk is connected, it is necessary to use the included screws and attach it securely to the case. If you only have one HDD intended for external use then you don't have to worry. But if you need to change the disk more frequently, it's a very annoying procedure. On the picture you can also notice wires from printed circuit connected to the red and green LED, located in the right front support column.
Picture above shows the rear panel of ICY BOX where we find a power switch, DC power connector, USB and SATA connectors.
Test equipment and software used
- ASUS P5B Deluxe BIOS 1101 with Intel drivers 8.3.0.1013
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 (8x400MHz)
- 2 x A-Data DDR2 1GB 400MHZ (4,4,4,12)
- ASUS ATi Radeon 1950Pro
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATAII
- 2 x Hitachi DeskStar T7K250 250 GB SATAII
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP2
- iSoftware Sandra Pro Business XI SP2 2007.5.11.35
Testing
The ICY BOX test procedure was as following: I tested one of my HITACHI disks in my computer first and then installed in the case, first connected via SATA and later via USB. Both tests were performed using SiSoftware SANDRA Pro Business XI SP2, Benchmarks and module File Systems software.
As we can see from the table of measured values, the disk is switched to SATA300 speed (Buffered Read is more than 150MB/s) and it's maintained even when the disk is connected via external case. The fact that the measured values are almost identical is not surprising. Problem would be if the values were different. Also, the disk in the external case is basically connected to the PC the same way as if it was in the PC since the SPIF215A Chip (from SunplusIT company) is located on the printed circuit board and only provides communication between SATA and USB. When connected via USB the SiSoft SANDRA enabled the disk with 32MB/s Drive Index, an expected value. The USB 2.0 Hi-Speed standard has a theoretical 480 Mbp/s (60MB) speed data rate, but in reality it is difficult to exceed 35 MB/s. This is where the ICY BOX really shines.
Conclusion
I have mixed feelings about the ICY BOX IB-351StUS. Personally, I don't like its physical construction but that does not mean other users won't find it practical, especially if they don't need to swap disk in the case frequently. However, there is still few more things I did not mention. First again involves the screen side walls which allow for decent disk cooling, but since the case is basically open one can hear the noise from disk during head-seeking or motor spinning, more so if your disk is really noisy. Another issue is with the plastic stand which allows the box to stand vertically. The edge of the stand is uneven so the case placed in the stand is unstable. Not to sound too negative, I must mention that the box performed as expected - it allows to connect the 3,5" HDD to the PC via SATA or USB ports and does it really well. It's up to you to decide if the ICY BOX is for you.
Picture Gallery
Thanks to my great friend gAnitass for pictures
Author: Tomas Hlatky
